Dr. Caleb Holyoke

Dr. Caleb Holyoke

Title: Associate Professor, Honors Advisor, Graduate student coordinator
Research Specialty: Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics
Dept/Program: Geosciences
Office: CRH 326
Phone: 330 972-7635
Email: cholyoke@uakron.edu
Website: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=T06GLGoAAAAJ&hl=en

Research

Specialty

Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics

Professional Experience

  • Associate Professor, University of Akron, August 2020 to date
  • Assistant Professor, University of Akron, August 2014 to 2020
  • Assistant/Associate Research Scientist, Texas A&M University, August 2007 to July 2014
  • Visiting Scholar, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, August 2006 to July 2007
  • Post-doctoral Scholar, University of Wisconsin, Madison, August 2005 to July 2006
  • Lecturer, University of Rhode Island, July to August 2005/2006
  • Geologist/Project Manager, MARCOR Environmental Services, Inc., November 1994 to August 1998

Research

Research Interests

My research and teaching interests are in the general area of structural geology applied to solving problems related to the physical and chemical evolution of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle. In my research, I use a combination of active testing of how changing variables such as temperature and strain rate affects the microstructures that develop due to specific deformation mechanisms and observational analysis of naturally deformed rocks to constrain the conditions that produce these same microstructures in nature. Understanding these grain-scale processes contributes to our understanding of larger scale processes and controls on plate tectonics.

Current Research

If you are interested in pursuing a Masters of Science in the rock deformation laboratory at the University of Akron, please contact me at cholyoke@uakron.edu.

I am currently working on an NSF-funded field and experimental study of how water content affects the strength of rocks deformed in the lower crust with Dr. Kevin Mahan (U. of Colorado). Our goal is to understand the mechanisms that cause strain localization and formation of pseudotachylite (fault melt) in Precambrian lower-crustal rocks exposed in northern Saskatchewan using field and experimental investigations. We are working to constrain the deformation mechanisms and rheology of the rocks exposed in the Cora Lake region. Theses data will be used to construct a predictive model that explains why a rock associated with seismic events formed at conditions in Earth’s crust that should not produce seismic events.

The Rock Deformation Laboratory at the University of Akron has a wide variety of tools for preparing cores of rock for experiments and three apparatus for performing experiments on rocks and soils:

  •  A Griggs-type rock deformation apparatus is the primary research apparatus and is capable of deforming rocks at pressures up to 2000 MPa and temperatures up to 1400°C (blue rig behind students in image below). The Griggs apparatus has been used in experimental studies performed to study: 1) how foliation orientations and intensities affect the strength of rocks in the continental crust, 2) how melt contents affect the strength and deformation mechanisms in amphibolites and gneisses, 3) how water fugacity and water content affect the strength of quartz single crystals and polycrystals (i.e. quartzites) and 4) the grain size and temperature sensitivity of magnesite.
  •  A Forney concrete testing machine with Hoek-type pressure vessel, is capable of deforming rocks at pressures up to 70 MPa and room temperature. This machine is primarily used to perform experiments in courses such as Geological Engineering, Structural Geology and Advanced Structural Geology.
  • A Humbolt dead-weight direct-shear apparatus which is used to study the shear strength of soils and powdered rocks (fault gouge) in courses such as Geological Engineering and Advanced Structural Geology.   

Pseudotachylite-vein.jpgRubber-City-Rock-Deformers.jpg

(left) Pseudotachylite vein in foliated gneisses, Cora Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. (right) Spring 2024 Rubber City Rock Deformers (l to r) Carly Leventhal, Karl Wehner, Nick Maleski, Jordan Collins, Nadilee Nottingham, Caleb Holyoke.

Publications

Prakash, A., Holyoke, C. W., Kelemen, P. B., Kirby, S. H., Kronenberg, A. K., Lamb, W., 2023, Carbonates and Intermediate-Depth Seismicity: Stable and Unstable Shear in Altered Subducting Plates and Overlying Mantle Wedge, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, v. 120, No. 21, e2219076120, doi: 10.1073/pnas.2219076120.

Goddard, R. M., Hansen, L. N., Wallis, D., Stipp, M., Holyoke, C. W., Kumamoto, K. M., & Kohlstedt, D. L., 2020, A subgrain‐size piezometer calibrated for EBSD. Geophysical Research Letters, v. 47, e2020GL090056, doi: 10.1029/2020GL090056.

Andronowski, J. A., Davis, R. A., Holyoke, C. W., 2020, A Sectioning, Coring, and Image Processing Guide for High-Throughput Cortical Bone Sample Procurement and Analysis for Synchrotron Micro-CT, J. Vis. Exp., v. 160, e61081, doi:10.3791/61081.

Kronenberg, A. K., Ashley, K., Francsis, M., Holyoke, C. W., Jezek, L., Kronenberg, J., Law, R. D., Thomas, J., 2020, Water loss during dynamic recrystallization of Moine thrust quartzites, Geology, v. 48, p. 557-561, doi: 10.1130/G47041.1

*Millard, J. W., Holyoke, C. W., Wells, R. K., Blasko, C., Kronenberg, A. K., Raterron, P., Braccia, C. M., Jackson, N., McDaniel, C. A., Tokle, L., 2019, Pressure dependence of magnesite creep, Geosciences, v. 9, 420, doi: 10.3390/geosciences9100420.

*Wells, R., Holyoke, C. W., Kronenberg, A. K., Newman, J., 2019, Lattice-preferred orientation development in experimental and natural fine-grained dolomite shear zones, Journal of Structural Geology, v. 128, doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2019.103874.

Fukuda, J., Holyoke, C.W., and Kronenberg, A. K., 2018, Deformation of fine-grained quartz aggregates by mixed diffusion and dislocation creep, Journal of Geophysical Research, DOI: 10.1029/2017JB015133.

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

Ratteron, P., Fraysse, G., Girard, J., Holyoke, C.W., 2016, Strength of orthoenstatite single crystals at mantle pressure and temperature and comparison with olivine, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 450, p. 326-336, DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2016.06.025.

Kilian, R., Heilbronner, R., Holyoke, C.W., Kronenberg, A., Stunitz, H., 2016, Dislocation creep of dry quartz, v. 121, p. 3278–3299, DOI: 10.1002/2015JB012771.

Holyoke, C.W., Kronenberg, A., Newman, J., Ulrich, C., 2014, Rheology of magnesite, Journal of Geophysical Research., v. 119, p 6534-6557, doi: 10.1002/2013JB010541.

Holyoke, C.W., Kronenberg, A., Newman, J., 2014, Microstructural evolution during strain localization in dolomite aggregates, Journal of Structural Geology. doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2014.04.008.

Holyoke, C. W. and Kronenberg, A., 2013, Reversible water weakening of quartz, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 347, p. 185-190, DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2013.05.039.

Ratteron, P., Merkel, S., Holyoke, C. W., 2013, Axial temperature gradient and stress measurements in the deformation-DIA cell using alumina pistons, Review of Scientific Instruments, v. 84, 043906; DOI:  10.1063/1.4801956.

Holyoke, C. W., Kronenberg, A., Newman J., 2013, Dislocation creep of polycrystalline dolomite, Tectonophysics, v. 590, p. 72-82,  DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2013.01.011

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

Girard, J., Chen, J., Ratteron, P., Holyoke, C. W., 2013, The effect of hydroxyls on olivine deforming by dislocation creep: rheology of single crystals oriented for (010)[100] slip, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, v. 216, p. 12-20, DOI: 10.1016/j.pepi.2012.10.009

Holyoke, C. W. and Kronenberg, A., 2010, Accurate differential stress measurement using the molten salt cell and solid salt assemblies in the Griggs apparatus with applications to strength, piezometers and rheology, Tectonophysics, v. 494, no. 1-2, p. 17-31, DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2010.08.001.

Girard, J., Chen, J., Raterron, P., Holyoke, C. W., 2010, Deformation of single crystal sample using D-DIA apparatus coupled with synchrotron X-rays: In situ stress and strain measurements at high pressure and temperature, Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, v. 71, no 8, p. 1053-1058, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2010.03.005.

Webber, C., Holyoke, C. W., Newman, J. Little, T., Tikoff, B., 2010, Fabric development in cm-scale shear zones, Red Hills, New Zealand, Tectonophysics, v. 489, no. 1-4, p. 55-75, DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2010.04.001.

Holyoke, C. W. and Tullis J., 2006, The interaction between reaction and deformation: an experimental study using a biotite + plagioclase + quartz gneiss, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 24, no. 8, p. 743 – 762, DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2006.00666.x.

Holyoke, C. W. and Tullis J., 2006, Mechanisms of weak phase interconnection and the effects of phase strength contrast, Journal of Structural Geology, v. 28, no. 4, p. 621-640, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2006.01.008.

Holyoke, C. W. and Tullis J., 2006, Formation and maintenance of shear zones, Geology, v. 34, no. 2, p 105-108, DOI: 10.1130/G22116.1.

Holyoke, C. W. and Rushmer, T., 2002, An experimental study of grain scale melt segregation mechanisms in two common crustal rock types, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 20, no. 5, p. 493-512, DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1314.2002.00381.x.

Education

  • Ph.D., Geology, Brown University, 2005
  • M.S., Geology, University of Vermont, 2000
  • B.S., Geology, James Madison University, 1994

Courses

  • Physical Geology (3370:101)
  • Earthquakes (3370:125)
  • Engineering Geology (3370:301)
  • Structural Geology (3370:350)
  • Advanced Structural Geology (3370:450/550)
  • Field Camp II (3370:454/554)
  • Research Problems in Geology (3370:499)
  • Seminar: Geology (3370:680)

Students

2021-Rubber-City-Rock-Deformers-.jpg

                             2021 Rubber City Rock Deformers (l to r) Jake Waller, Nicole Wagner, Maria Razo, Andrew Steward,                                                                              J.J. Kullberg, Jacob Tallon, Megan Ryan, Treston Woodley, Caleb Holyoke

Current and Former Graduate students

Rubber-City-Rock-Deformers-2018-.jpg

                         Rubber City Rock Deformers 2018 (l to r) Casey Braccia, Rebeccah DiPuccio, Danielle Anderson,                                                                                      Caleb McDaniel, R.J. McGinnis, Joe Millard, Caleb Holyoke

Current and Former Undergraduate Students

Rubber-City-Rock-Deformers-Spring-2015.jpg

                                       Rubber City Rock Deformers Spring 2015, (l to r) Caleb Holyoke, Big Hunter, Abby Ritter,                                                                                              Albert Barbery, Ed Poston, Paul Krasner, Joe Millard, Max Miller

  • Collins, Jordan, “Syndeformational Partial Melting of a Peridotite”, Honors Thesis, December 2024
  • Maleski, Nicholas, “Melt Segregation Mechanisms in an Amphibolite During Shear Deformation”, May 2024
  • Nottingham, Nadilee, “Temperature Dependence of the Effect of Water Fugacity on Quartzite Strength”, Honors Thesis, 2024
  • Hilliard, Geoffrey, “Effects of Shear Zone Orientation on the Strength of a Foliated Gneiss”, Honors Thesis, 2022
  • Ryan, Megan, “Viscous Anisotropy of Wet Olivine Aggregates: Implications for Subduction Zone Rheology”, Honors Thesis, 2022 (Now at Texas A&M University)
  • Wagner, Nicole, “The Effects of Heterogeneities and Syn-deformational Partial Melting on Rock Strength Evolution and Melt Migration”, Honors Thesis, 2021 (Now at University of Minnesota)
  • Steward, Andrew, “Analysis of Water Concentration Formed Within Deformed Synthetic Quartz Crystals”, Honors Thesis, 2021
  • Razo, Maria, “Effects of Melt Composition on the Rheology of Crustal Rocks” 2021
  • Waller, Jacob, “Analysis of Deformation Mechanisms that Formed the Shear Zones in the Scituate Granite, Rhode Island, USA”, Honors Thesis, 2020 (Now at Davey Environmental)
  • Braccia, Casey, “Effect of a pre-existing lattice preferred orientation on the strength of foliated quartzite”, Honors Thesis, 2019
  • Christopher Thomas, “Effects of weathering on the strength of Indiana Limestone” 2019
  • Anderson, Danielle, “Deformation of Water-Depleted Quartzite”, 2018 (Now at Leidos)
  • DiPuccio, Rebeccah, “Foliation orientation and effects on the middle to lower continental crust”, Honors Thesis, 2018
  • Blasko, Cole, “Pressure dependence of polycrystalline magnesite and dolomite”, Honors Thesis, 2017
  • Jackson, Nicholas, “Grain size dependence of magnesite low temperature plasticity”, 2016 (Now at Solar Engineering)
  • Fraser, Jessica, “Rubber Roads for the Rubber City: Testing the Suitability of Rubberized Asphalt for Roads in Northeast Ohio”, Honors Thesis, 2016 (Now at Goodyear)
  • Millard, Joseph, “Viscosity Contrast Between Chert and Iron Oxide Based on Fold Wavelength”, 2016 (Now at Klondex Mines, NV)
  • Ritter, Abigail, “Jointing relationships in the Sharon Sandstone”, Honors Thesis, 2016
  • Zidd, Natalie, “Microstructure and Deformation Mechanism Analysis of Carbonate Rock located in an Anticline”, Honors Thesis, 2016
  • Miller, Max, “Examination of Soft Sediment Faulting in Unconsolidated Glacial Sediment in Akron, Ohio” Dec 2016 (Now at Beaver Construction)

Rubber-City-Rock-Deformers-Spring-2015.jpg

Rubber City Rock Deformers Spring 2015, (l to r) Caleb Holyoke, Big Hunter, Abby Ritter, Albert Barbery, Ed Poston, Paul Krasner, Joe Millard, Max Miller