Brent Turrin

Brent Turrin is a Research Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Rutgers University, School of Arts and Sciences. His work focuses on advancing the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating technique and applying it to interdisciplinary geological studies across the geologic timescale.

• Education:
  • B.A., University of California, Berkeley (1980)
  • M.S., Stanford University (1984)
  • Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (1996)
  • Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Senior Staff Associate (1997–2002)

Research Focus: Geochemistry, Geochronology, and Planetary Science. His studies include volcanic hazard assessments in Idaho, Martian meteorite shock effects, lunar dynamo decline, and noble gas analysis in meteorites. Technical improvements in Ar-isotope measurements address inter-laboratory discrepancies in mineral standards and noble-gas ion-source development.

Recent Publications: 15+ articles (2024–2013) explore argon dating of volcanic rocks, Martian and lunar samples, meteorite impact histories, and atmospheric evolution. Key subfields include thermochronology, shock metamorphism, planetary degassing, and cosmochronology.

Contact: bturrin@eps.rutgers.edu | Office: 345 Wright Geological Laboratory | Phone: (732) 445-3177