Professor MacDonald studies rock geometry and magnetic properties.  This involves studies of rock structures at scales ranging from microfabrics to plate tectonics.  His main research areas are the Andes and South America, the Caribbean, and the Western Cordillera of North America. 

Recently he has been analyzing:

•  Precambrian structures and ages in the Adirondack Mountains and in Andean remnants
•  Magnetic and fabric signatures of impact structures of South America (Brazil)
•  Ashflow fabrics, flow fabrics, and source areas in Nevada
•  Late Paleozoic paleomagnetism of SW Pangea, Argentina
•  Evolution of the Cauca basin, Colombian Andes
•  Rotation signatures, both tectonic and structural
•  Allochthonous terranes of the Andes
•  Precise correlation of strata

Recent journal publications:

Baird, G. and MacDonald, W.D., (2004) Deformation of the Diana syenite and Carthage-Colton mylonite zone: Geol. Soc. America, Mem. 197, p. 285-297.

Tomezzoli, R.N., MacDonald, W.D., and Tickij, H., (2003) Composite
magnetic fabrics and S-C structure in granitic gneiss of Cerro de los
Viejos, La Pampa province, Argentina: Journal of Structural Geology, v.
25, p. 159-169.

Ellwood, B.B., MacDonald, W.D., Wheeler, C., and Benoist, S.L., (2003)
The K-T boundary in Oman: Identified using magnetic susceptibility
measurements with geochemical confirmation: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 206, p. 529-540.

Palmer, H.C. and MacDonald, W.D., (2002) The Northeast Nevada Volcanic Field: magnetic properties and source implications: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 107, p. 2002-11-15 (EPM-4-1-19).

Last updated on August 10, 2005 (adh)