ABOUT ME
I am hoping to help answer questions such as: what was the paleogeography of northwestern South America and the Caribbean 50 million years ago?, or when did the interaction with the Central American arc begin?. The answers to these questions have profound implications for ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns, paleo-drainage systems, reservoir rock distribution, the rise of the northern Andes, and biological dispersal patterns.
The tools me and my colleagues use are all anchored on basic geologic mapping. Tools such as zircon geochronology, paleomagnetism, low temperature thermochronology, geochemistry and integrated provenance analyses provide clues to interpret geologic map deformation patterns. I am regional editor for the Journal of South American Earth Sciences and G3.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Tectonics of the Caribbean and the Northern Andes
The late Mesozoic-Cenozoic evolution of the Caribbean and the northwestern corner of South America has profound implications in global atmospheric/oceanic processes. I am interested in helping improve the geologic map database in this orogenic system. While some parts of the orogen are already well mapped, some other parts remain virtually unexplored. Basic geologic mapping is also a tool to teach young geology students to approach geology.
Coal and Energy
The narrative of climate change is euro-centric. What if for once we take a look at that debate from a meridional perspective?. Coal is an abundant energy source, particularly in Colombia. Colombia is also struggling to meet its energy demand, and is more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Why then, should a country like Colombia give up its only chance to have cheap, abundant, reliable energy to fuel its growing society?. If coal is so dirty, how come all the developed countries burnt it for centuries?, why should a country like Colombia have to look for more expensive alternatives?