Rodrigo A. Fernández-Vásquez

Geologist, Ph.D., M.Sc. University of Texas Institute for Geophysics • Austin, TX • USA

Phone: 1-512-475-9568 • FAX: 1-512-471-0348 • Email: r.f@ig.utexas.edu

Research Interests: glacial erosion and sedimentation processes at different time/spatial scales and

their influence over tectonics, glacial evolution in cold and temperate environments, geologic

controls on ice-sheet stability, time dependence of sedimentary processes, fluvial and coastal source

to sink flux of sediments, glacial geomorphology.

Education:

Rice University, Department of Earth Science, Houston, TX, USA

•2006- 2011 Ph.D. Glacial Marine Geology: “Controls on sediment and erosion yields in

fjord systems from Patagonia to the Antarctic Peninsula” [Thesis Committee:

Dr. J. Anderson (advisor), Dr. B. Dungan, Dr. D. Sawyer.

Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

•1999-2003 M.Sc., Geology: “Paleomagnetism and Tectonics at the Domeyko Range (26º-

27º S), Atacama Region, Chile” [Thesis Committee: Dr. Pierrick Roperch, IRD

France (paleomagnetism advisor). Dr. Constantino Mpodozis, SIPETROL,

Chile (geology advisor); Dr. Francisco Hervé, Universidad de Chile, Chile).

Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

•1992-1998 B.Sc. Geology and professional cycle conducting to the title of professional

geologist.

Previous Work and Research Experience:

•2000 – 2006: Associate Scientist of Universidad de Chile – INACH Antarctic Project 161:

Geology of the Heritage Range (“Sedimentary provenance and tectonic regime,

isotopy, stratigraphy, paleomagnetism and paleontology of Paleozoic meta-

sedimentary succesions of the Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica”).

•2002 – 2008: Associate Scientist of the Quaternary Research Center (CEQUA), Universidad

de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile. Glacial geology at the Tyndall Glacier

area, Torres del Paine National Park.

•2004 – 2006: Researcher and project manager at the Scientific Department of the Instituto

Antártico Chileno INACH (Chilean Antarctic Institute, depending of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

•2012 to present: Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics

(UTIG), Austin, Texas.

Awards

Travel awards for conferences: Antarctic Research Meetings, Chile (2002, 2003; Source: National

Committee on Antarctic Research, Chile); 32nd

International Geological Congress, Firenze, Italy

(2004; Source: UNESCO); AGU Chapman conference on Source to Sink (2011; source: AGU),

AGU Fall Meeting (2009, 2010; Source: Rice University Earth Science Department), Northwest

Glaciologists (NWG) Meeting, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (2008; Source: Rice

University Earth Science Department).

Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), graduate scholarship, 1999

Grants

Innovation and Opportunity Program (IOP), 2012, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics

(UTIG), project “Interactions of erosion and strike-slip deformation in an oblique convergent

orogen, Patagonia”, co-PI.

Internships:

•1997: “Relincho Project”, Outokumpu mining company. Core description, ore

mapping and geologic sections interpretation.

•1998: Cia. Minera San Geronimo. Tunnel mapping, geologic sections, design of

coring strategies and determination of mineralized bodies for explotation.

Practical and Analytical Proficiency:

Geology mapping, sampling, stratigraphic columns and geologic sections. Sediment description,

grain size analyzes, core logging and sampling, coring procedures, operation of geophysical

equipments (Knudsen 320 B/R, ODEC Bathy 2000), interpretation of marine seismic sections,

radiocarbon sampling and material preparation, radiocarbon calibration. GIS databases and map

generation, satellite images classification and interpretation. Marine geology mapping and

submarine glacial geomorphology. Glacial (land), fluvial and coastal geomorphology.

Paleomagnetism and tectonics. Early in my career I acquired experience and took classes on ore

deposit mapping and sampling, hydrothermal alteration and geochemistry sampling of gold

prospects.

Software proficiency:

Formally learned software:

ArcGis 9.3: “Geographic Information Science”, course by Dr Dale Sawyer, Rice University.

ERDAS Imagine: “Remote Sensing”, course by Dr Dale Sawyer, Rice University.

MatLab: “MatLab Seminar”, dictated by Dr Helge Gonnermann.

Self-taught software:

GeomapApp, Global Mapper, Seissee, SEDPLOT, Strater, Fledermouse, OxCal 4.1 and Calib

6.0, Dips, Stereonet, Geomag60. MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, Adobe

Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator.

Teaching Experience:

•2012 ESCI536 Seminar: Andean Geology in Chile, instructor.

•2008 ESCI321 Earth Systems and Cycles T. A., Department of earth Science, Rice

University, Houston, Texas. Rock description, grain size analyses,

geomorphologic interpretation of LIDAR images.

•2006 “Research Unit”, Universidad de Magallanes, B. Sc. thesis geology advisor.

Work: stratigraphy and paleo environment of the Cretaceous rocks of Torres del

Paine National Park.

•2005 “Introduction to Geology”. Lecture and field trip. Universidad de Magallanes.

•2005 “Geology of the Magellan Region”. Short course. Universidad de Magallanes.

•2000-2004 “Physical Geology”, Laboratory and field work. Universidad Católica de Chile.

•2001 “Geology for Mountaineers”. Short course. Lecture and a field trip. Universidad

de Chile.

Short courses attended (out of curriculum)

CEQUA Foundation (2005). "Biogeography of the Southern part of South America", Universidad de

Magallanes.

CADIC – CONICET (2003). "I Field Course on Quaternary Geomorphology and Geology of Tierra

del Fuego", CADIC (Austral Center of Scientific Research), Ushuaia, Tierra del

Fuego, Argentina.

Universidad de Chile (2003). "Fluvial Systems”, Department of Geology, Universidad de Chile,

Santiago, Chile.

Universidad de Chile (2002). Principles of Andean Tectonics (Fundamentos de Tectónica Andina).

By Dr. Victor Ramos, Santiago, Chile.

Field Work (selected, last ten years):

September 2012 Marine chirp seismic and geological survey, Aysen Region, Patagonia,

Chile. Navigation on channels and fjords near Golfo de Penas, rock

sampling (for thermochronology studies) in the same area in addition to

areas further east (land based work).

September 2012 Seismic trial cruise NBP1208, Magellan Strait, Magallanes Region,

Chile. Test of multi-channel seismic acquisition systems.

February 2012 Field trip leader for Seminar “Andean Geology in Chile”, ESCI536, Rice

University. Two geological transects in the Central Andes of Chile (near

the latitudes of Atacama and Santiago).

February-March 2010 IB/RV ODEN, OSO0910: marine geology and geophysics surveys,

including: sediment coring (KC) and Multibeam swath bathymetry, (30

days cruise in Ross sea and Pine Island Bay).

May-June 2009 Sediment coring. Galveston Island, Texas.

June-July 2008 Sediment coring. Galveston Island, Texas.

February 2008 Seminar “Topics on Glacial Geology: sedimentology”, dictated by Dr

John Anderson. Field trip to Whidbey I., Puget Sound, Washington State.

November 2007 Course “Applied Sedimentology”, Rice University. Field guide: Dr John

Anderson. Sequence Stratigraphy of Mesa Verde Group, San Juan Basin.

April-May 2007 IB/RV N. B. Palmer, Cruise NBP0703: marine geology and geophysics

surveys, including: sediment coring (JPC and KC), Multibeam

bathymetry, and Single channel seismic (36 days cruise in the Antarctic

Peninsula)..

June 2005 IB/RV N. B. Palmer, Cruise NBP0505: marine geology and geophysics

surveys, including: sediment coring (JPC and KC), Multibeam swath

bathymetry, and Single channel seismic (30 days cruise in the Chilean

Patagonia).

Nov. 2004 –

Jan 2005

Chief of the first South American light autonomous scientific travesy

“Heritage 2004” (INACH – U. de Chile), Ellsworth Mountains,

Antarctica. Regional geology, geochemistry and paleomagnetism

sampling.

Feb.-March 2004 Scientific Expedition Lago O’higgins 2004. Instituto Chileno de Campos

de Hielo (Ice-Fields Chilean Institute). Regional geologic mapping, scale

1:25000.

December 2003 Italian Antarctic program expedition to the Magellan Strait. Mapping and

sampling of Holocene marine terraces. Project leader: Dr. Antonio

Brambati, University of Trieste, Italy.

Sept.– Oct. 2003 Scientific Expedition Lago Ohiggins 2003 CECS (Centro de Estudios

Científicos, Valdivia) – Universidad de Dresden (Alemania). Ohiggins

Lake, Patagonia, Chile. Installation of geodetic GPS devices.

April 2003 CEQUA Foundation Expedition to the Tyndall Glacier 2003.

Geomorphology, moraine mapping, wood sampling, Holocene

stratigraphy.

Jan-Feb 2002 IB/RV N. B. Palmer, Cruise NBP0201: Marine geology research. Lead

by Dr. John Anderson (Rice University).

December 2001 Scientific-Speleological Expedition “Ayayema 2001” Madre de Dios I.,

Patagonia, Chile.

September 2001 First Argentinian-Chilean Espeleological Expedition. Caverna de Las

Brujas (P.N.A.), Malargüe, Argentina.

Nov.–Dec. 2000 Antarctic Scientific Expedition “Geodesia satelital, cartografía digital y

geología, en el área de Patriot Hills (80 25’ lat S), Antártica Chilena”,

Patriot Hills, Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica.

Jan – February 2000 International Scientific-Speleological Expedition “Ultima Patagonia

2000”, Madre de Dios I., Patagonia, Chile. Funded by The Rolex Award

for Enterprise and sponsored by National Geographic.

Refereed Publications:

Fernández R., Anderson J. B., Hallet B. and Wellner J. S., 2012. Latitudinal variation of

sedimentation and erosion rates from Patagonia and Antarctic Peninsula tidewater glaciers (46°-

65° S), in preparation.

Minzoni R.L., Anderson

J.B., Fernandez

R. and Wellner J.S., 2012. The glacial history and

paleoclimatic significance of Herbert Sound, James Ross island, NE Antarctic Peninsula, in

preparation.

Fernández R., Anderson J. B., Bertrand S., and Wellner J. S., 2011. The Neoglacial

Sedimentary Record of Climate Change from Gualas Glacier, Golfo Elefantes, Northern

Patagonia (46.5°S). The Holocene, doi: 10.1177/0959683611425545.

Weight R.W., Anderson J.B. and Fernández R., 2011. Origin of the Holocene Texas Mud

Blanket: Implications for Delivery and Re-Distribution of fine-grained sediment from source to

Sink. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 81, 743-764, doi: 10.2011/jsr.2011.57.

Fernández R., Anderson J. B., Wellner J. S. and. Hallet B., 2011. Timescale dependence of

erosion rates, a case study: Marinelli Glacier, Cordillera Darwin, southern Patagonia. Journal of

Geophysical Research, 116, F01020, doi: 10.1029/2010JF001685.

Jakobsson M., Anderson

J.B., Nitsche F., Dowdeswell

J., Gyllencreutz

R., Kirchner

N.,

Mohammad

R., O’Regan

M., Anandakrishnan

S., Alley

R.B, Eriksson

B., Kirshner

A.,

Fernández R., Stolldorf

T.,

Minzoni R., Majewski

W., 2011. Geological Record of Ice Shelf

Break-up and Grounding Line Retreat, Pine Island Bay, West Antarctica. Geology, 39, 691-694,

doi: 10.1130/G32153.1.

Wallace D.J., Anderson J.B., and Fernández R. A., 2010. Transgressive ravinement versus

depth of closure: A geological perspective from the upper Texas coast. Journal of Coastal

Research, Volume 26, 6, pp. 1057 – 1067.

Boyd B. L., Anderson J. B., Wellner J. S. and Fernández R., 2008. The Sedimentary Record of

Glacial Retreat, Marinelli Fjord, Patagonia: Regional Correlations and Climate Ties. Marine

Geology, 255, 165-178.

Arriagada C., Roperch P., Mpodozis C. and Fernández R., 2006. Paleomagnetism and tectonics

of the southern Atacama Desert (25-28°S), northern Chile. Tectonics, 25, TC4001, doi:

10.1029/2005TC001923.

Scientific Presentations and Abstracts (last five years):

Fernandez R. A., Anderson J. B., Wellner J. S. and Minzoni R. L. Spatial and temporal

variability of glacial erosion rates in the Antarctic Peninsula. International Symposium on

Antarctic earth Sciences ISAES 2011, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Minzoni R.L., Anderson

J.B., Fernandez

R. and Wellner J.S., 2011. The glacial history and

paleoclimatic significance of Herbert Sound, James Ross island, NE Antarctic Peninsula.

International Symposium on Antarctic earth Sciences ISAES 2011, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Fernandez R. and Anderson J.B., 2011. Temporal and spatial variability in glacial erosion and

deposition based on a study of Patagonian and Antarctic Peninsula tidewater glacier

settings. AGU Chapman conference on Source to Sink.

Fernandez R., Anderson J.B., Bertrand S. and Wellner J.S., 2010. The Holocene sedimentary

record of climate change from Gualas Glacier, Golfo Elefantes, Northern Patagonia

(46.5°s). AGU Fall Meeting 2010.

Kirshner A.E., Anderson J.B., Jakobsson M., Majewski W., Minzoni R., Fernandez R. and

Stoldorf T., 2010. The Deglaciation History of Pine Island Bay, West Antarctica. WAIS

Meeting 2010.

Minzoni R.L., Anderson

J.B., Kirshner

A.E., Wellner J.S., and Fernandez

R., 2010. Glacial

Response to Holocene Climate Change: the Antarctic Peninsula. WAIS Meeting 2010.

Minzoni R.L., Anderson

J.B., Kirshner

A.E., Wellner J.S., and Fernandez

R., 2010. The Marine

Record of Holocene Deglaciation and Paleoclimate Change, Antarctic Peninsula. AGU Fall

Meeting 2010.

Bertrand S., Hughen K., Lamy F., Fernandez R., Stuut J.B., Torrejón F. and Lange C., 2010.

Precipitation control on North Patagonian glacier variability during the Late Holocene:

Evidence from Chilean Fjord sediments. PAGES LOTRED-SA symposium in Valdivia,

Chile.

Fernandez-Vasquez R.A., Anderson J.B. and Wellner J.S., 2009. Timescale dependence of

erosion rates, a case study: Marinelli Glacier, Cordillera Darwin, southern Patagonia. AGU

Fall Meeting 2009.

Fernández R., Anderson J. B. & Wellner J. S., 2008. Pleistocene-Holocene Fjord Sedimentation

Associated with Temperate Tidewater Glaciers in Western Patagonia, South America. GSA

Joint Meeting, Houston, Texas.

Fernández R., Anderson J. B. & Wellner J. S., 2008. Sediment yields and erosion rates from

temperate tidewater glaciers in western Patagonia. Northwest Glaciologists (NWG)

Meeting, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Pardo J., Fernandez M., and Fernandez R., 2006. Detection of Ichthyosaurs in the most southern

part of South America – National Park Torres del Paine, Chile. V Chilean Meeting on

Antarctic Research, Concepción, Chile.

Pardo J., Fernandez M., and Fernandez R., 2006. Hallazgo de los Ictiosaurios más australes de

Sudamérica en el Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Región de Magallanes, Chile.

Proceedings XI Chilean Geological Congress, Concepción, Chile.

Languages: Fluent in Spanish and English.

Outreach:

2006: INACH Seminar “Charles Darwin in Magallanes”, oral presentations and field trip.

2001: General public presentation on Chilean Antarctic Geology Research. Graduate

seminar, Universidad de Chile.

2002: Government program Explora “Mil científicos, mil aulas” (“A thousand scientific, a

thousand classrooms”): Conference on Earth Science at primary schools, Santiago, Chile.

2004-2006: As part of the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) and CEQUA Scientific

Foundation (Punta Arenas, Chile) I gave numerous talks on different topics of Patagonia and

Antarctica geology at the Universidad de Magallanes, the Institutional Building of INACH and

schools. Additionally I represent INACH in numerous interviews at local radio stations, TV

channels and newspapers.

Other interests:

Sports: soccer.

Outdoor Activities: hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking,

snorkeling

Martial Arts: AIKIDO (Shodan), WUSHU (beginner).

Studies & practice: Taoism philosophy, Zen Meditation and philosophy.

Music: percussions, flute.