About

Roy W. Schlische is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Rutgers University. His research focuses on understanding the geometry, evolution, and mechanics of normal-fault systems and fault-related extensional folds, as well as the development and mechanics of continental rift systems and passive margins. His approach incorporates field studies, scaled experimental modeling, and seismic-reflection profile interpretation. His work has applications in sedimentary, petroleum, and hydrogeologic systems, as well as seismic-hazard assessment. Schlische's educational background includes a B.A. from Rutgers University and advanced degrees (M.A., M.Phil, Ph.D.) from Columbia University. He teaches courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including Structural Geology, Earthquakes & Volcanoes, and Tectonics. His research aims to provide insights into rift basin development, fault system behavior, and the geological processes shaping extensional provinces. His contributions include experimental modeling, seismic interpretation, and advancing understanding of fault geometries and basin evolution.

Research topics

• Paleontology
• Geology
• Seismology
• Oceanography
• Geomorphology
• Petrology
• Geochemistry
• Archaeology
• Geography

Selected publications

• 3D Structural Development During Oblique Shortening: Results From Serial Sectioning of an Experimental Clay Model

  Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America · 2025-01-01

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  PublisherDOI

• The rifted margin of eastern North America: insights into rifting, igneous activity, and breakup

  Elsevier eBooks · 2024-01-01 · 1 citations

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• List of contributors

  Elsevier eBooks · 2024-01-01

  book-chapterOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• The development of the eastern Orpheus rift basin, offshore eastern Canada: A case study of the interplay between rift-related faulting and salt deposition and flow

  2022-03-12

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  The salt-rich Orpheus rift basin, part of the eastern North American (ENAM) rift system, formed during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic prior to opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Using a dense grid of 2D seismic-reflection lines, data from nearby wells, and information from adjacent ENAM rift basins, we have established a tectonostratigraphic framework, identified key structural elements, and reconstructed the deformation history for the eastern part of the basin. Our work shows that a series of E-striking, S-dipping faults with normal separation bound the basin on the north. Deformation within the basin is complex with forced folds above deep-seated intrabasin faults, detachment folds, detached thrust faults, and salt diapirs. The synrift evaporite sequence consists of an older massive salt unit that underlies a younger unit with two distinct interfingering facies. Facies A, consisting of salt and interbedded sedimentary rocks (likely shales), developed near the border-fault system and its relay ramps. Facies B, consisting of massive salt with few interbedded sedimentary rocks, developed toward the basin center. The youngest synrift unit accumulated exclusively within minibasins near the northern border-fault system. Based on location, this youngest synrift unit likely consists of coarse-grained and poorly sorted alluvial-fan or talus-slope deposits shed from the footwall. All synrift units are intruded by igneous sheets likely associated with the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province and, thus, are mostly Late Triassic in age (or possibly older). The border-fault system profoundly affected deposition within the eastern Orpheus rift basin by providing pathways for clastic sediment input into the salt-rich basin. These depositional patterns subsequently influenced deformation associated with lateral salt flow during minibasin formation. In regions with interbedded salt, detachment folds and thrust faults developed, whereas salt walls and stocks developed in regions with more massive salt.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• UNRAVELING THE COMPLEX INTERPLAY AMONG BASEMENT-INVOLVED FAULTING, SALT DEPOSITION, AND DETACHED DEFORMATION DURING RIFTING: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE SALT-RICH ORPHEUS RIFT BASIN, OFFSHORE SOUTHEASTERN CANADA

  Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America · 2022-01-01

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• The development of the eastern Orpheus rift basin, offshore eastern Canada: A case study of the interplay between rift-related faulting and salt deposition and flow

  Marine and Petroleum Geology · 2022 · 11 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Geology
  • Paleontology
  • Geomorphology
  PublisherDOI

• SEISMIC EXPRESSION OF CAMP-RELATED IGNEOUS SHEETS AND THEIR ROLE IN CONSTRAINING THE AGE OF SYNRIFT SALT IN THE EARLY MESOZOIC ORPHEUS RIFT BASIN, OFFSHORE SOUTHEASTERN CANADA

  Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America · 2020

  • Geology
  • Paleontology
  • Seismology
  PublisherDOI

• RELATIVE TIMING OF BASEMENT-INVOLVED FAULTING, DETACHED SHORTENING, AND SALT MOVEMENT DURING RIFTING IN THE SALT-RICH EASTERN ORPHEUS RIFT BASIN, OFFSHORE SOUTHEASTERN CANADA

  Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America · 2020

  • Geology
  • Seismology
  • Paleontology
  PublisherDOI

• 3D ANALYSIS OF SMALL-SCALE FAULTING ASSOCIATED WITH OBLIQUE SHORTENING: A SCALED EXPERIMENTAL MODELING STUDY

  Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America · 2020-01-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Europa's ice tectonics: New insights from physical wax experiments with implications for subduction initiation and global resurfacing processes

  Icarus · 2018-11-24 · 5 citations

  article
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Frequent coauthors

• Martha O. Withjack

  43 shared

• Paul E. Olsen

  28 shared

• Rolf V. Ackermann

  11 shared

• Michael A. Durcanin

  6 shared

• T. Nur Hidayah

  6 shared

• Alexander R. Cruden

  6 shared

• Jean-Marc Daniel

  IFP Énergies nouvelles

  6 shared

• Susanne Buiter

  RWTH Aachen University

  6 shared

Labs

• Earth and Planetary Science Isotope Laboratory (EPSIL)PI

Education

• Ph.D., Geology

  University of California, Berkeley

  1982

• M.S., Geology

  University of California, Berkeley

  1978

• B.S., Geology

  University of California, Santa Barbara

  1976