Dr. Jonathan Miller

Jonathan Miller at the microscope I study magmatic processes using a combination of field studies, geochemistry, and geochronology. I mainly work on "extinct" magma systems in the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert, and the North Cascades. I am especially interested in the links between intrusive rocks (plutons) and volcanic deposits that erupted at the Earth's surface. What can these two complementary views of magma systems tell us about how they are constructed and how they evolve?

Since 2015, I have been serving as Department Chair. In this role, I help guide the department in fulfilling its mission and achieving our program learning outcomes for our degree programs. I also advocate for the department within the College of Science and the University.

Outside of my academic life, I enjoy biking around town, hiking with my family, and travelling to new places.

Professor: Igneous Petrology, Tectonics, Isotope Geochemistry
Department Chair

Phone: (408) 924-5015
Office: DH 321
Office Hours: By appointment
E-mail: jonathan.miller@sjsu.edu

Education

  • Ph.D. 1994, University of North Carolina

Research Interests

  • Research is on the physical, chemical and temporal evolution of magmatic systems, Mesozoic-Cenozoic magmatism and tectonics of the southwest U.S., and isotopic evolution of the mantle and crust.

Recent Classes

  • Petrology (GEOL 122)
  • Field Geology (GEOL 129)
  • Geochemistry (GEOL 135)
  • Advanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (GEOL 213)
  • Isotope Geochemistry (GEOL 255)
  • Cordilleran Tectonics: Classic Concepts and Modern Perspectives (GEOL 285)

Recent Activity (2011-2017)

*Student author

Published Papers

  • Chan, C.F., Shea, E.K., Kent, A.J.R., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., and Bowring, S.A., 2017, Formation of a sheeted intrusive complex within the deep-crustal Tenpeak pluton: Geosphere, v. 13, no. 5, doi: 10.1130/GES01323.1.
  • McDowell, S.M., *Overton, S., Fisher, C.M., Frazier, W.O., Miller, C.F., Miller, J.S., and Economos, R.C., 2016, Hafnium, oxygen, neodymium, strontium, and lead isotopic constraints on magmatic evolution of the supereruptive southern Black Mountains volcanic center, Arizona, U.S.A.: A combined LASS zircon-whole rock study: American Mineralogist, v. 101, p. 311-327.
  • *Shea, E.K., Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., Bowring, S.A., and *Sullivan, K.M., 2016, Growth and maturation of a mid- to shallow-crustal intrusive complex, North Cascades, Washington: Geosphere, v. 12, p. 1489-1516, DOI:10.1130/GES01290.1.
  • Paterson, S.R., Lackey, J.S., Memeti, V., Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., Mundil, R., and Putirka, K.D., 2013, Field Forum Report: Formation of the Sierra Nevada batholith: Magmatic and tectonic processes and their tempos: GSA Today, v. 23, no. 2, p. 15-17.
  • Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., and Stock, G., 2012, Day 3, Sentinel Granodiorite, Yosemite Creek Granodiorite and Yosemite Valley Intrusive Suite: western host units of the Tuolumne Intrusive Complex, in Paterson, S.R., Lackey, J.S., Memeti, V., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., Mundil, R., and Putirka, K., convenors, Formation of the Sierra Nevada batholith: Magmatic and tectonic processes and their tempos: Geological Society of America Field Forum Field Trip Guidebook, p. 3-1–3-15.
  • Colombini, L.L., Miller, C.F., Gualda, G.A.R., Wooden, J.L., and Miller, J.S., 2011, Sphene and zircon in the Highland Range volcanic sequence (Miocene, southern Nevada, USA): elemental partitioning, phase relations, and influence on evolution of silicic magma: Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 102, p. 29-50.

Grants

  • Miller, J.S., "Deciphering Sierran magma sources and modes of diversification using trace element, O, and Hf isotopic analyses of zircon", National Science Foundation ($146,011) 03/2010—02/2015.
  • Miller, J.S., "Collaborative Research: Tectonic Links, Magma Fluxes, and Single Mineral Geochemistry in Plutonic Systems From 5-30 km Depth, North Cascades Core, Washington" (with colleague Bob Miller, SJSU), National Science Foundation ($171,532, 6/1/2010-5/31/2014).
  • Miller, J.S., "Collaborative Research: Deciphering Sierran Magma Sources and Modes of Diversification Using Trace element, O, and Hf Isotopic Analyses of Zircon", National Science Foundation ($146,011, 3/2010-2/2015).
  • Miller, J.S., "Collaborative Research: Supereruptions, Magma Chambers, & Plutonic Residue: Insights from Peach Spring Tuff, significance of sphene", National Science Foundation ($150,913, 8/2009-7/2013).

Published Abstracts

  • *Boyles, J.L., Sisson, T.W., and Miller, J.S., 2017, Experimental petrology of the K-feldspar megacryst-bearing Cathedral Peak Granodiorite, Tuolumne Intrusive Suite, Yosemite National park, CA: Geological Society of America Abstracts with programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Miller, J.S., Lackey, J.S., *Sendek, C.L., and Davies, G.R., 2017, Zircon trace element and isotopic records of Sierra Nevadan arc magmatism during an archetypal magmatic flare-up: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 4.
  • Shea, E.K., Miller, J.S., Miller, R.B., Chan, C., and Kent, A.J., 2017, Geochemical evidence for the development of a garnet-bearing crustal root in the Cretaceous North Cascades magmatic arc, WA: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 49, no. 6.
  • Lackey, J.S., McCarty, K.R., Fulton, A.A., Ryan-Davis, J., *Sendek, C., Miller, J.S., Davies, G.R., Bindeman, I.N., Cottle, J.M., 2016, Systematic Middle To Late Jurassic Changes In Magma Source In The Mojave Segment Of California’s Continental Arc: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 48, no. 4.
  • *Marcaida, M., Vazquez, J.A., Calvert, A.T., Miller, J.S., 2016, Late Pleistocene eruptive history of the Mono Craters rhyolites, eastern California, from U-Th dating of explosive and effusive products: American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2016, abstract V11A-2748.
  • *Baker, N., Miller, J.S., Vazquez, J.A., *Marcaida, M., *Lidzbarski, M.I., 2015, Zircon trace element geochemistry and growth of the Pleistocene to Holocene Mono Craters rhyolite magma system, California (USA): American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2015, abstract V23B-3129.
  • *Denton, K.M., Ponce, D.A., Miller, D.M., Peacock, J., Miller, J.S., 2015, Geophysical Investigations of a Proterozoic Carbonatite Terrane, southeast Mojave Desert, California: American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2015, abstract GP13B-1293.
  • *Sendek, C., Lackey, J.S., Miller, J.S., Davies, G.R., Valley, J.W., Kitajima, K., 2015, Zircon Geochemical and Isotopic Constraints on the Evolution of the Mount Givens Pluton, Central Sierra Nevada Batholith: American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2015, abstract V41D-04.
  • Lackey, J.S., Miller, J.S., Davies, G.R., Eisenberg, J.L., and Murphy, B.S., 2013, Deconvoluting magma mixing and source characteristics of a long lived (~9 M.Y.) Sierra Nevada magmatic complex: O, Hf and Trace Elements of zircon from the John Muir Suite: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 45, No. 7, p. 390.
  • Lackey, J.S., *Sendek, C., Miller J.S., Murphy, B.S., Fulton, A.A., Bindeman, I.N., Economos, R., Kylander-Clark, A., and Davies, G.R., 2013, A Mojave perspective on volcanic-plutonic systems In California’s Middle Jurassic arc: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 45, No. 7, p. 691.
  • Leopold, M., *Sendek, C., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., and Baker, N., 2013, Field observations from the Sonora Pass Intrusive Suite: structure and construction of a Cretaceous zoned intrusive suite in the central Sierra Nevada Batholith, California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 45, No. 7, p. 390.
  • Miller, J.S., and Lackey, J.S., 2013, Are the Late Cretaceous K-feldspar megacrystic intrusions of the Sierra Nevada Batholith cold, wet granitoids?: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. v. 45, No. 7, p. 231.
  • Overton, S., Frazier, W.O., McDowell, S.M., Lidzbarski, M., Miller, J.S., Miller, C.F., Fisher, C.M., Economos, R., and Davies, G.R., 2013, The evolution of the Peach Spring Tuff and Silver Creek Volcanic Center as revealed by Hf and O isotopes in zircon: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 45, No. 7, p. 389.
  • *Shea, E.K., Bowring, S.A., Miller, R.B., and Miller, J.S., 2013, Magmatism at different crustal levels in the ancient North Cascades magmatic arc: Abstract V13E-2656, 2013 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco.
  • Chan, C.F., Kent, A.J., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., Shea, E.K., and Paterson, S.R., 2012, Construction of a sheeted magmatic complex within the lower arc crust: Insights from the Tenpeak pluton, North Cascades, Washington: Abstract V33B-2864, American Geophysical Union Meeting.
  • Frazier, W.O., Miller, C.F., Fisher, C., Miller, J.S., McDowell, S.M., Pamukcu, A.S., Gualda, G.A.R., Vervoort, J.D., and Overton, S.,2012, Peach Spring Tuff, Az-Ca-Nv: petrochemical constraints on generation of supereruption magma: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 7, p. 321.
  • *Lidzbarski, M.I., Miller, J.S., Miller, C., Wooden, J.L., Vazquez, J.A., Pamukcu, A.S., Carley, T.L., and Gualda, G.A.R., 2012, Geochronology and trace element analysis of Peach Spring Tuff zircons and their bearing on growth of the Peach Spring Tuff magma chamber and eruption: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 3, p. 60.
  • *Lidzbarski, M.I., Mundil, R., Miller, J.S., and Vazquez, J.A., 2012, Comparing pre- and post-chemical abrasion ages for Miocene Peach Springs Tuff zircon from ID-TIMS and SIMS analyses: Abstract V23A-2788, American Geophysical Union Meeting.
    MacDonald, J.H. Jr, Miller, J.S., Dragovich, J.D., Miller, R.B., and Harper, G.D., 2012, Detrital zircon age populations and geochemistry of selected Late Jurassic sedimentary basins in the North American Cordillera: Links Between the Klamath and Cascade Mountains: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 7, p. 383.
  • McDowell, S.M., Miller, C.F., Ferguson, C.A., Fisher, C., Frazier, W.O., Miller, J.S., Mundil, R., Overton, S., and Vervoort, J., 2012, Geochemical insights into the evolution of a supereruptive volcanic center: Magmatic precursors and successors of the Miocene Peach Spring Tuff, Southern Black Mountains, Western AZ: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 7, p. 320.
  • McKee, R.A., and Miller, J.S., 2012, Stratigraphy and structure of the Northern Highland Range, Colorado River extensional corridor, southern Nevada: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 3, p. 68.
  • Miller, C., Pamukcu, A.S., Ferguson, C.A., Carley, T.L., Gualda, G.A.R., Wooden, J.L., McIntosh, W.C., *Lidzbarski, M.I., Miller, J.S., and McDowell, S.M., 2012, Peach Spring Tuff, Arizona-California-Nevada, USA: generating an isolated supereruption: Mineralogical Magazine, v. 76, p. 2109.
  • Miller, C.F., Frazier, W.O., McDowell, S.M., Pamukcu, A.S., Carley, T.L., Gualda, G.A.R., Miller, J.S., Ferguson, C.A., Fisher, C.M., and Vervoort, J.D., 2012, Peach Spring Tuff, Az-Ca-Nv: Supereruption of a stratified, mush-based magma chamber: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 7, p. 320.
  • Miller, C.F., Padilla, A.D.J., Pamukcu, A., Carley, T.L., Claiborne, L.L., Flanagan, D.M., Gualda, G.A.R., Wooden, J.L., Miller, J.S., and *Lidzbarski, M.I., 2012, Reinvigorating stagnant silicic magma systems: Volcanic and plutonic views: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 3, p. 22.
  • Miller, J.S., Ryan, M., Miller, C., Claiborne, L.L., Johnson, B., Colombini, L.L.S., Wooden, J.L., Walker, B.A. Jr, and Lidzbarski, M., 2012, Insights into the growth of silicic magma systems from the geochronologic, elemental, and isotopic record of zircon in Miocene plutons and volcanic rocks of the Colorado River extensional corridor, Nevada, 2012: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 3, p. 22.
  • *Shea, E.K., Bowring, S.A., Miller, R.B., and Miller, J.S., 2012, Punctuated growth of a ca 90 Ma shallow-crustal intrusive complex, North Cascades, Washington: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 44, no. 7, p. 322.
  • *Shea, E.K., Bowring, S.A., Miller, R.B., Miller, J.S., Kent, A.J., and Chan, C.F., 2012, The role of mush in construction of magmatic complexes at different crustal levels: Abstract V43D-2875, American Geophysical Union Meeting.
  • Johnson, B.M., Miller, J.S., Miller, C.F., Wooden, J.L., and Colombini, L.L., 2011, Thermal and compositional evolution of the Mid-Miocene Searchlight magmatic system recorded by zircon: Abstract V43A-2554, American Geophysical Union Meeting.
  • Lackey, J.S., Miller, J.S., Murphy, B.S., Coleman, D.S., Schmitt, A., and Davies, G.R., 2011, Sources and assembly of the John Muir intrusive suite, Sierra Nevada, USA: Single zircon oxygen and hafnium isotope records: Abstracts VII Hutton Symposium on Granites and Related Rocks, Avila, Spain, p. 85.
  • Miller, J.S., Lackey, J.S., Memeti, V., Hirt, W.H., and Wooden, J.L., 2011, Geochronologic, isotopic, and trace element constraints on zircon recycling in Sierra Crest Intrusive Suites, Sierra Nevada Batholith, USA: Abstract V51H-01, American Geophysical Union Meeting (Invited).
  • Ryan, M., Miller, J.S., Miller, C.F., Bromley, S., Davies, G.R., and Schmitt, A.K., 2011, Mixing and melt sources in the Miocene Aztec Wash pluton (Nevada, USA) as revealed by zircon Hf and O and whole rock Sr, Nd, and Hf isotopes: Abstract V53B-2605, American Geophysical Union Meeting.

Technical Presentations

  • Miller, J.S., March 2015, “Using zircon to evaluate sources and magmatic processes during the Late Cretaceous Sierra Nevada magmatic flare-up.” presented at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (invited presentation)
  • Miller, J.S., March 2013, Probing zircon for insights into the growth and evolution of Miocene magma systems in southern Nevada, San Jose State Geology Club (invited presentation).

Reviewing and Editorial Service

  • Miller, J.S., Peer Reviewer for:Earth and Planetary Science Letters
    • Geology
    • Journal of Petrology
    • National Science Foundation (4)
  • Miller, J.S., Journal reviewer for:Chemical Geology
    • Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2)
    • Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2)
    • G-cubed
    • Geochimica et Cosmochimca Acta (1)
    • Geological Society of America Books Series
    • Geological Society of America Bulletin
    • Geology
    • Geosphere
    • Gondwana Research
    • Journal of Petrology (1)
    • Lithos
    • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Other Professional Service

  • Miller, J.S., October 2018, Interview about recent California volcanic activity on KCBS.
  • Miller, J.S., August 2017, Interview on KTVU about possible volcanic activity in California.
  • Miller, J.S., April 2017, Co-participant in nomination of Calvin F. Miller for Distinguished Career Award from the Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, Volcanology Division of the Geological Society of America (nomination was successful and award will be conferred in 2018).
  • Miller, J.S., March 2015, Field research in southern Nevada with M.S. student Matt Leigh.
  • Miller, J.S., September 2012, Co-leader of Geological Society of America Field Forum, Oakhurst, Yosemite, Mammoth, California.