Bio

Andrew Smye is a metamorphic geologist whose research bridges fundamental and applied Earth science. He has expertise in metamorphic petrology, using petrochronology to study the thermal evolution of mountain belts and subduction zones, the rates of metamorphic heat and mass transfer, and how tectonic processes shape the composition and physical properties of continental crust. Building on this foundation, his current work focuses on fluid–rock interactions, exploring how these processes control the mobility of critical elements, the evolution of permeability in basement rocks, and applications to societal challenges such as in-situ mining.

Andy has degrees from the Universities of Oxford (MESc; graduated 2007) and Cambridge (PhD; 2012), and held post-doctoral fellowships at the British Geological Survey, the University of Texas (Austin) and the University of Oxford before joining Penn State in 2016.

Research

• Field-based investigations apply metamorphic petrology, petrochronology, structural geology and physical models to address:
  • formation and evolution of lower continental crust in the Variscan massif
  • thermal and rheological evolution of subduction interfaces focused on Japanese , Alpine and Cycladic exhumed terrains
• Theoretical calculations are motivated by:
  • transport of water at subuction zones
  • thermal models of mountain belts
  • element mobility during fluid-rock interaction
• Method development is focused on :
  • derivation of deep crustal thermal histories from high-temperature metamorphic rocks
  • inversion of mineral zoning for rates and durations of fluid-rock interaction
  • physical properties of metamorphic rocks in the lower crust and on subduction interfaces

Graduate students

Laura Kelsall Mobility of heat-producing elements during crustal melting
Evan Jakovac PT-stress evolution of the Sanbagawa terrain
Leonie Strobl (PhD 2025) Eclogite-facies fluid-rock interaction (Tauern Windon, Eastern Alps)
Charlotte Connop (PhD 2024; now Assistant Prof. at Bates College) Differentiation of Continental Crust: insights from the Variscan Orogeny and the Global Array of Terrigenous Sediments
Jake Cipar
Hailey Mundell
Marit Wyatt

Extramural grants

• Grant 1
• Grant 2

Publications

• Paper 1
• Paper 2