Department of Geological Sciences

Jim Miller
Associate Professor (Minnesota Geological Survey)
Ph.D. University of Minnesota

Interests: Igneous Petrology, Ultramafic Rocks, Magmatic Ore Deposits
Courses taught: Geol 5100 Geology of the Duluth Complex, Geol 3201 Mineralogy-Petrology I, Geol 8100 Independent Study
Office: Rm 222 NRRI / HH 211
Phone: (218) 726-6582
E-mail: mille066@tc.umn.edu

The major emphasis of my research with the Minnesota Geological Survey since 1985 has been field, petrologic, and metallogenic studies of the igneous rocks of the 1.1 billion-year-old Midcontinent Rift. Specifically, my work focusses on producing bedrock geologic maps of the Duluth Complex and related intrusive terranes of the Midcontinent Rift in northeastern Minnesota; studying the petrology and crystallization history of various intrusions within the Midcontinent Rift; evaluating the potential for economic mineralization within these intrusions, especially with regard to platinum group minerals; and, overall, investigating the general tectonic and magmatic history of the Midcontinent Rift. Another major focus of my work with the MGS involves educational outreach. I frequently speak to school groups, teach non-credit classes (Compleat Scholar and ElderHostel) , and lead field trips in an attempt to introduce Minnesota geology to non-geologists. I have been actively involved in planning and implementation of workshops for K-12 earth science teachers for several years. Recently, I have been working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to produce geological displays for North Shore State Parks.

Publications:

Miller, J.D. Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., Hauck, S.A., Peterson, D.E., and Wahl, T.E., 2002, Geology and mineral potential of the Duluth Complex and related rocks of northeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Report of Investigations 58, 207p. w/ CD-ROM

Miller, J.D., Jr., Green, J.C., Severson, M.J., Chandler, V.W., and Peterson, D.E., 2001, Geologic map of the Duluth Complex and related rocks, northeastern Minnesota. Miscellaneous Map Series, M-119, scale 1:200,000, 2 sheets.

Miller, J.D., Jr. and Chandler, V.W., 1999, Bedrock geologic map of the central Duluth Complex and western part of the Beaver Bay Complex, Lake and St. Louis Counties, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series, M-101, 1:100,000 scale.

Miller, J.D., Jr. 1999, Geochemical evaluation of platinum group element (PGE) mineralization in the Sonju Lake intrusion, Finland, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular 44, 32 p.

Severson, M.A., and Miller, J.D., Jr., 1999, Bedrock geologic map of the Allen quadrangle, St. Louis County, Minnesota. Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series, M-91, 1:24,000 scale.

Miller, J.D., Jr., and Chandler, V.W., 1997, Geology, petrology, and tectonic significance of the Beaver Bay Complex, northeastern Minnesota. in Ojakangas, R.J., Dickas, A.B., Green, J.C. (editors), Middle Proterozoic to Cambrian Rifting, Central North America: Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 312, p. 73-96.

Miller, J.D., Jr., and Ripley, E.M., 1996, Layered intrusions of the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA. in Cawthorne, R.G. (ed.):Layered Intrusions: Amsterdam, Elsevier, p. 257-301.