Assistant Professor
160 Rich Lab
335 Brackett Hall
864.656.5015
E-mail: apullen@clemson.edu
Ph.D. University of Arizona, 2010, Geosciences
M.S. University of Arizona, 2006, Geosciences
B.S. University of Arizona, 1999, Economics
Classes | Publications
Faculty Overview
Dr. Pullen’s teaching and research interests are in the areas of structural geology, sedimentology, and geochronology. He takes a field and laboratory based approach to research by conducting geologic and geomorphic mapping, measuring stratigraphic sections, and applying U-Th-Pb geochronology. His research interests are broadly in the areas of continental tectonics and orogenic systems. Some of his current research projects focus on mountain building, aridification, and eolian processes. His research projects cross traditional disciplinary boundaries to study processes ranging from lithospheric evolution to Earth surface processes.
Class Information
For current syllabi, please search the Clemson University Syllabus Repository.
GEOL 3020 Structural Geology
GEOL 3021 Structural Geology Laboratory
GEOL 4050 Surficial Geology
GEOL 4051 Surficial Geology Laboratory
GEOL 4500 Paleoclimate Change
Selected Publications
Jian, X., Weislogel, A., Pullen, A., 2019. Triassic Sedimentary Filling and Closure of the Eastern Paleo‐Tethys Ocean: New Insights From Detrital Zircon Geochronology of Songpan‐Ganzi, Yidun, and West Qinling Flysch in Eastern Tibet. Tectonics 38, 767–787. doi:10.1029/2018TC005300
Ibañez-Mejia, M., Pullen, A., Pepper, M., Urbani, F., Ghoshal, G., Ibañez-Mejia, J.C., 2018. Use and abuse of detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology—A case from the Río Orinoco delta, eastern Venezuela. Geology 46, 1019–1022. doi:10.1130/G45596.1
Pullen, A., Ibáñez-Mejía, M., Gehrels, G.E., Giesler, D., and Pecha, M., 2018, Optimization of a laser ablation–single collector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer (Thermo Element2) for accurate, precise, and efficient zircon U-Th-Pb geochronology: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GC007889
Li, L., Garzione, C.N., Pullen, A., Zhang, P., Li, Y., 2018. Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic basin evolution and topographic growth of the Hoh Xil Basin, central Tibetan Plateau. GSA Bull. 130, 499–521. doi:10.1130/B31769.1
Nie, J., Pullen, A., Garzione, C.N., Peng, W., Wang, Z., 2018. Pre-Quaternary decoupling between Asian aridification and high dust accumulation rates. Sci. Adv. 4, eaao6977. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aao6977
Pullen, A., Kapp, P., Chen, N., 2018. Development of stratigraphically controlled, eolian-modified unconsolidated gravel surfaces and yardang fields in the wind-eroded Hami Basin, northwestern China. GSA Bull. 130, 630–648. doi:10.1130/B31734.1
Licht, A., Pullen, A., Kapp, P., Abell, J., and Giesler, N., 2016, Aeolian cannibalism: reworked loess as the main sediment source of the Chinese Loess Plateau: GSA Bulletin, doi: 10.1130/B31375.1.
Kapp, P., Pullen, A., Pelletier, J.D., Cai, F., and Russell, J., 2015, From dust to dust: Quaternary wind erosion of the Mu Us Desert and Loess Plateau, China: Geology, v. 43, p. 835–838.
Ibáñez-Mejía, M., Pullen, A., Arenstein, J., Gehrels, G.E., Valley, J., Ducea, M., Mora, A.R., Pecha, M., and Ruiz, J., 2015, Unraveling crustal growth and reworking processes in complex zircons from orogenic lower-crust: The Precambrian Putumayo Orogen of Amazonia: Precambrian Research, v. 267, p. 285–310.
Pullen, A., Ibáñez-Mejía, M., Gehrels, G.E., Ibáñez-Mejía, J.C., and Pecha, M., 2014, What happens when n= 1000? Creating large-n geochronological datasets with LA-ICP-MS for geologic investigations: Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, DOI:10.1039/C4JA00024B.
