Matt Rioux

Matt Rioux is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He holds a B.A. in Earth Science from Boston University (2000) and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from UCSB (2006). After postdoctoral research at MIT (2006–2011), he served as an Assistant/Associate Researcher at UCSB’s Earth Research Institute (2011–2018) before transitioning to his current teaching-focused role.

His research integrates field studies, high-precision U-Pb geochronology, and geochemical analyses to investigate magmatic and tectonic processes, with a focus on oceanic crust formation and ophiolite evolution. Key projects include studying the Samail ophiolite in Oman/UAE to understand subduction initiation and mantle wedge dynamics. He also explores crustal accretion mechanisms at mid-ocean ridges and the temporal evolution of igneous systems.

Rioux’s work bridges laboratory and field-based approaches, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods such as zircon trace-element analysis and petrochronology. His contributions span geochronology standards, volcanic petrogenesis, and the application of geochronological data to tectonic problems.

He oversees the Earth Research Institute’s geochronology facilities and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in geology. His publications reflect a commitment to advancing methodologies in geochronology while addressing fundamental questions in tectonics and magmatism.