Djordje Grujic

Ph.D., ETH Zurich, Switzerland, 1992
B.Sc., University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 1983

ERTH 3140: Structural Geology
ERTH 4350: Tectonics
ERTH 4100/4200: Research Projects / Honours Thesis

"By taking a holistic approach to Earth Sciences my research program addresses how the tectonic and surface processes in active collision orogens interact to shape the physical evolution of the lithosphere at all spatial and temporal scales. The general premises of my research program are investigated through a combination of field, laboratory, and numerical experimental studies.  Key questions of my current research program:

• Which processes drive syn-convergence exhumation of crustal eclogites?
• What are the interactions between the upper crustal deformation and mid crustal channel flow?
• How are the stresses transferred between the seismogenic and the ductily flowing crust?
• How do stresses propagate on the plate scale, from an incipient plate breakup area to a convergent     boundary zone?
• Are there elements in the morphology of critical Coulomb wedges that can be related to spatio-temporal changes in precipitation rather than to the far- and near-field stresses?

Case studies are performed on several world-class field examples in the Himalaya-Tibet orogenic system and the central European Alps."

From shortening to extension of the Tethyan Himalaya: Reconstructing the northern Indian passive margin

The Himalayan orogeny, initiated by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates approximately 50 million years ago, represents a key example of continental collision and large-scale crustal shortening. Within this system, the Tethyan Himalaya fold-and-thrust belt plays a critical structural role; however, the amount of crustal shortening it accommodates remains poorly constrained. Existing estimates vary widely—from ~100 km to ~250 km—due to the scarcity and outdated nature of balanced geological cross-sections. This uncertainty hampers the testing of tectonic models for the India–Asia collision and complicates efforts to reconcile geological shortening with paleomagnetic reconstructions, which suggest up to 4,000 km of plate convergence since 60 Ma.

This study refines shortening estimates across the Tethyan Himalaya fold-and-thrust belt and constrains the geometry of the basal detachment, offering new insights into the early structural evolution of the orogen. Balanced and restored cross-sections were developed using 3DMOVE© software, integrating geological mapping, field observations, and subsurface data.

PE Limited (the Licensor) has donated the 3DMOVE software, valued at £1,928,348.01, to Djordje Grujic (the Licensee), as per Agreement 250301.

Team members:

Djordje Grujic, PI, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University
Matteo Pedini, PhD Student, School of Science and Technology, Geology Division, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
Stefano Mazzoli, School of Science and Technology, Geology Division, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
Gyorgy Hetényi, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Julien Moreau, The NW Edge, Carloway, Scotland, United Kingdom
Taija Torvela, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, United Kingdom

Projects for prospective PhD students are offered in generic subjects covering the above research topics.

For enrolment, please have a careful look at the regulations for Graduate Studies at Dalhousie University and at the Department of Earth and Environment Sciences.

Interested candidates should secure their own scholarships for which they can apply at the following foundations:

• NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships
• Killam Pre-doctoral Scholarships
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
  

For details, eligibility and application procedure see details at the related web sites.

Please check also for the potential bilateral academic programs in your own country.