Andreas Kronenberg
  • Professor and Michael T. Halbouty Chair in Geology
  • Assoc. Director, Center for Tectonophysics
  • Tectonophysics
  • Structural Geology
  • Rock Mechanics
  • Mineral Physics
Research Areas
  • The Earth System & Other Planetary Bodies

Biography

Contributor to the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

Courses

  • Geol 101  Principles of Geology
  • Geol 104  Physical Geology
  • Geol 203  Mineralogy
  • Geol 330  Geologic Field Trips
  • Geol  350  Field Geology
  • Geol 665  Structural Petrology
  • Geop 615   Experimental Rock Deformation
  • Geop 660  Physics of the Earth’s Interior

Research Interests

Dr. Kronenberg's expertise spans topics in structural geology, tectonophysics, and mineral physics with emphasis on the mechanical properties of Earth materials and the deformation mechanisms that govern rheology.

His research addresses the plasticity, creep, and failure of minerals and rocks, examining the roles of crystalline defects, grain boundaries, interfaces, and fluids in determining macroscopic behavior of the Earth's lithosphere. Taking an experimental approach, investigations have explored (1) water weakening of quartz and feldspar and chemical influences of fluids on mechanical properties of silicates, (2) crystal plasticity of layer silicates and anisotropic mechanical properties of foliated and layered rocks, (3) the high temperature creep mechanisms of silicates (quartz, feldspars, pyroxenes, micas, and clays) and carbonates (calcite, dolomite, and magnesite), and (4) the roles of hydrous species adsorbed at mineral-fluid interfaces in crack growth and crack healing.

Kronenberg is an active member of AGU's Mineral and Rock Physics (MRP) community, and its Focus Group on Physical Properties of Earth Materials (PPEM).  He participates in the development of StraboSpot’s digital archiving     of experimental rock mechanics data, funded by NSF, and the Research Coordination Network on In-situ Studies of Rock Deformation, serving on its Advisory Committee.



Research Websites



Research Focus

  • Tectonophysics
  • Structural Geology
  • Rock Mechanics
  • Mineral Physics

Educational Background

  • PhD, Brown University, 1983
  • MS, Brown University, 1979
  • BS, UCLA, 1977

Awards & Honors

  • Michel T. Halbouty Chair in Geology 2016

  • American Rock Mechanics Association Research Award 2009

  • Ray C. Fish Professorship in Geology 2002

  • Texas A&M College Level Distinguished Research Award 1997

  • Texas A&M College Level Teaching Award 1991

Selected Publications

  • Fukuda, J.-I., Holyoke III, C.W., and Kronenberg, A.K. (2018) Deformation of fine-grained quartz aggregates by mixed diffusion and dislocation creep, J. Geophys. Res., 123, 1-21, doi: 10.1029/2017JB015133.

  • Kronenberg, A.K., Hasnan, H.F.B., Holyoke III, C.W., Law, R.D., Liu, Z., and Thomas, J.B. (2017) Synchrotron FTIR imaging of OH in quartz mylonites, Solid Earth, 8, 1025-1045, doi: 10.5194/se-8-1025-2017.

  • van der Werf, T., Chatzaras, V., Kriegsman, L.M., Kronenberg, A., Tikoff, B., and Drury, M.R. (2017) Constraints on the rheology of lower crust in a strike-slip plate boundary: evidence from the San Quentin xenoliths, Baja California, Mexico, Solid Earth, 8, 1211-1239, doi: 10.5194/se-8-1211-2017.

  • Kronenberg, A., Hirth, G., Lapusta, N., Chester, J., Freed, A., Marone, C., and Tullis, T. (2016) Laboratory sharing to improve rock deformation research, EOS, 97, doi:10.1029/2016EO063465.

  • Kilian, R., Heilbronner, R., Holyoke C.W. III, Kronenberg, A.K., and Stünitz, H. (2016) Dislocation creep of dry quartz, J. Geophys. Res., 121, 3278–3299, doi: 10.1002/2015JB012771.

  • Groshong, R.H., Kronenberg, A., Couzens-Schultz, B.A., and Newman, J. (2014) Fluids and structures in fold and thrust belts with recognition of the work of David Wiltschko, J. Struct. Geol. 69, 281-283, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2014.09.003.

  • Holyoke, C.W. III, Kronenberg, A.K., Newman, J., and C. Ulrich (2014) Rheology of magnesite, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 119, doi: 10.1002/2013JB010541.

  • Holyoke, C.W. III, Kronenberg, A.K., and Newman, J. (2014) Microstructural evolution during strain localization in dolomite aggregates, J. Struct. Geol, 69, 449-464, doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2014.04.008.

  • Holyoke, C.W. III, and Kronenberg, A.K. (2013) Reversible water weakening of quartz, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 374, 185-190, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2013.05.039.

  • Holyoke, C.W. III, Kronenberg, A.K., and Newman, J. (2013) Dislocation creep of polycrystalline dolomite, Tectonophysics, 590, 72-82, doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2013.01.011.

  • Stewart, E., Holyoke, C.W. III, and Kronenberg, A.K. (2013) High pressure deformation experiments using solid confining media and Griggs piston-cylinder methods:  appraisal of stress and deformation in talc assemblies, Tectonophysics, 588 , 171-178, doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2012.12.004.

  • Davis, N.E., Newman, J., Wheelock, P.B., and Kronenberg, A.K. (2011) Grain growth kinetics of dolomite, magnesite, and calcite:  a comparative study, Phys. Chem. Minerals, 38, 123-138, doi:10.1007/s00269-010-0389-9.

  • Holyoke, C. W., III and Kronenberg, A.K. (2010) Accurate differential stress measurement using the molten salt cell and solid salt assemblies in the Griggs rig with applications to strength, piezometers and rheology, Tectonophysics, 494, 17-31, doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2010.08.001.