My research explores the complex interactions between tectonics, climate, and surface processes across a range of spatial and temporal scales. The overarching goal is to understand how these forces have shaped, and continue to shape, Earth’s landscapes in the past and present. Quantifying the evolution of landscapes and orogens is not only crucial for reconstructing Earth’s geological history, but also for assessing the geodynamic causes underlying natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, and other catastrophic processes affecting densely populated regions in tectonically active settings such as the Mediterranean and the Alpine-Himalayan belt.
These interactions represent some of the most fascinating and challenging questions in the geosciences. For example, while it is well established that tectonic processes influence long-term climate evolution by modulating oceanic and atmospheric circulation, disentangling the relative contributions of tectonic and climatic drivers to erosion and landscape change remains complex. This is particularly true when considering variations in tectonic activity rates and the combined effects of long-term climate trends and short-term fluctuations. Discrepancies in erosion rates observed across different timescales suggest that climate variability plays a fundamental role in controlling erosional efficiency and topographic development.
To address these challenges, I integrate a range of approaches, including radiometric dating, low-temperature thermochronology, the analysis of climate proxies preserved in geological archives, and satellite-based measurements of river dynamics. These methods make it possible to quantify the relative contributions of tectonic and climatic forcing in different settings and at multiple temporal scales, providing critical insights into the rates and mechanisms governing Earth surface processes. I have conducted research in several mountain belts, including the Himalaya-Tibet region, the European Alps, the Dinarides-Hellenides, and the Balkan ranges.
I employ a diverse set of tools that integrate the following techniques:
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Field Observations and Geology
Analysis of geological structures, stratigraphy, and landforms through fieldwork.
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Low-Temperature Thermochronology
Techniques such as fission track, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar, and (U-Th-Sm)/He dating.
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Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Analysis and Modeling
Use of digital elevation models to interpret landscape evolution, integrating GIS and Python for advanced spatial analysis.
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Cosmogenic Isotopes (e.g., ³⁶Cl) in Fluvial Terraces
Application of cosmogenic isotopes to reconstruct the history of fluvial terraces and the evolution of sedimentary basins through time.
