Donald Burt
Professor,
School of Earth and Space Exploration
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PS F434 TEMPE, AZ 85287-6004
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Mail code: 6004Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio
Don Burt is an economic geologist with experience in mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry. Specific research interests relate to the geology of mineral and energy deposits (including planetary economic geology), crystal chemistry and phase equilibria of complex systems, mineralogy and geochemistry of lithophile elements, natural resource economics and sustainability, and also digital photography.
Education
Harvard University, Ph.D. Geological Sciences (1972)
Harvard University, A.M. Geological Sciences (1968)
Princeton University, A.B. Geology (1965)
Publications
- Donald Burt, L Knauth, K Wohletz, M Sheridan. Surge deposit misidentification at Spor Mountain, Utah and elsewhere: A cautionary message for Mars. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (2008).
- Garvie, L.A.J., Burt, D.M., and Buseck, P.R. Nanometer-scale complexity, growth, and diagenesis in desert varnish. Geology (2008).
- Donald Burt, K Wohletz, L Knauth. Mars and Mine Dumps. Eos (Transactions, American Geophysical Union) (2006).
- L Knauth, Donald Burt, K Wohletz. Impact origin of sediments at the Opportunity landing site on Mars. Nature (2005).
- . . Review of: Dennis Wingo (2005).
- Donald Burt, L Knauth. Electically conducting, Ca-rich brines, rather than water, expected in the Martian subsurface. Journal of Geophysical Research (2003).
- L Knauth, Donald Burt. Eutectic brines on Mars: Origin and possible relation to young seepage features. Icarus (2002).
- L Knauth, S Klonowski, Donald Burt. Ideas about the surface runoff features on Mars (letter). Science (2000).
Research Activity
- Burt,Donald M*. LUNAR MINING OF OXYGEN USING FLUORINE. UNIV OF AZ(11/1/1991 - 12/31/1993).
- Sheridan,Michael Francis*, Burt,Donald M. TOPAZ RHYOLITE LAVA/MEXICO. NSF(7/15/1983 - 12/31/1985).
Courses
2026 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
| GLG 441 | Ore Deposits |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 401 | SESE Colloquium |
| SES 501 | SESE Colloquium |
| SES 401 | SESE Colloquium |
| GLG 304 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
2025 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
| GLG 441 | Ore Deposits |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 304 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| SOS 373 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| GLG 102 | Intro Geology II (Historical) |
| GLG 104 | Introduction Geology II: Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction Geology II: Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction Geology II: Lab |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
| GLG 441 | Ore Deposits |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 304 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| SOS 373 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| GLG 102 | Intro Geology II (Historical) |
| GLG 104 | Introduction Geology II: Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction Geology II: Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction Geology II: Lab |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 304 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| SOS 373 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| GLG 102 | Intro Geology II (Historical) |
| GLG 104 | Introduction to Geology II-Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction to Geology II-Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction to Geology II-Lab |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 304 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| SOS 373 | Minerals, Energy, and Society |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| GLG 102 | Intro Geology II (Historical) |
| GLG 104 | Introduction to Geology II-Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction to Geology II-Lab |
| GLG 104 | Introduction to Geology II-Lab |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GLG 101 | Intro to Geology I (Physical) |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| GLG 441 | Ore Deposits |
| GLG 598 | Special Topics |
Presentations
- Garvie, L.A.J., Burt, D.M., and Buseck, P.R. A microscopists view of desert varnish from the Sonoran Desert. 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2009).
- Burt, D.M, Knauth, L.P., and Wohletz, K.H. The Late Heavy Bombardment: Possible influence on Mars. LPI Workshop on Early Solar System Impact Bombardment (Nov 2008).
- Burt, D.M, Knauth, L.P., and Wohletz, K.H. The Late Heavy Bombardment and Mars. Geological Society of America, Ann. Mtg., Houston (Oct 2008).
- Burt, D.M, Knauth, L.P., and Wohletz, K.H. Mars and the Late Heavy Bombardment. 11th Mars Cratering Consortium Meeting, Flagstaff, AZ (Sep 2008).
- Burt, D.M., Knauth, L.P., and Wohletz, K.H. Sedimentation by impact cratering on Mars. 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2008).
- Royer, D., Burt, D.M., and Woheltz, K.H. The Mars spherule size distribution and the impact hypothesis. 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2008).
- Burt, D.M., Knauth, L.P., and Wohletz, K.H. Martian gullies and salty sidewalks. LPI Workshop on Martian Gullies, Theories and Tests (Feb 2008).
- Burt, Donald. Event photos. Numerous, including Earth Science Day (Dec 2006).
- Burt, Donald, Knauth, L, Wohletz, K. Impact dispersal and weathering of sulfides on early Mars: A source of acid sulfates and a possible habitat for microbes. Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting (Oct 2006).
- Burt, Donald, Knauth, L, Wohletz, K, Sheridan, M. History of surge deposit misidentification at Spor Mountain, Utah and elsewhere: A cautionary message for Mars. Volcanic Flows and Falls: A Conference to Honor Professor Michael F. Sheridan, Buffalo, NY, May 11-1 (Jun 2006).
- Burt, Donald, Knauth, L, Wohletz, K, Sheridan, M. History of surge deposit misidentification at Spor Mountain, Utah and elsewhere: A cautionary message for Mars. Volcanic Flows and Falls: A Conference to Honor Professor Michael F. Sheridan (May 2006).
- Burt, Donald, Wohletz, K, Sheridan, M. Water-laid tuff" of the Utah desert and similar surge deposit misinterpretations: A possible lesson for Mars?:. 37th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2006).
- Burt, Donald. Lunar Mining Pro and Con. Topics in Mineralogy of the Solar System (Mar 2006).
- Burt, Donald. Using an inexpensive digital camera to take Mars-analog photographs at near-infrared wavelengths. 37th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2006).
- Burt, Donald. What Roger Burns Really Said: Mars as a Mine Dump. Topics in Mineralogy of the Solar System (Mar 2006).
- Burt, Donald, Knauth, L, Wohletz, K. Impact-derived sedimentary rocks: How common on Mars?. Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting (Oct 2005).
- Burt, Donald, Knauth, L, Wohletz, K. Origin of layered rocks, salts, and spherules at the Opportunity landing site on Mars: No flowing or standing water evident or required. 36th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2005).
- Burt, Donald. Using an inexpensive digital camera to photograph Mars-analog materials at the scale of the MER Microscopic Imager, and at other scales. 36th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2005).
- Burt, Donald, Knauth, L. Brine splat interpretation of features seen at the Opportunity landing site on Mars. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (Nov 2004).
- Knauth, L, Burt, Donald. The "Brine Splat" hypothesis for features observed at the Opportunity landing site. Second Conference on Early Mars, Lunar and Planetary Institute (Oct 2004).
- Probst, L, Kirkland, L, Burt, Donald. Learning about Mars geology using thermal infrared spectral imaging: Orbiter and rover perspectives. 35th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2004).
- Burt, Donald. Meeting photos. 35th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2004).
- Burt, Donald, Kirkland, L, Adams, P. Barite and celestine detection in the thermal infrared - Possible application to determination of aqueous environments on Mars. 35th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Mar 2004).
- Burt, Donald. First airborne thermal infrared hyperspectral imaging of a dry lake: Site geology and TES/THEMIS int. 34th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
- Burt, Donald. Intrinsic acidity of jarosite and other ferric sulfates as an indicator of how they form. Martian Sulfates as Recorders of Atmospheric-Fluid-Rock Interactions
- Burt, Donald, Knauth, L, Wohletz, K. Impact excavation of sulfides that then weather into sulfates: An astrobiology-friendly explanation for acid sulfate formation on Mars. Martian Sulfates as Recorders of Atmospheric-Fluid-Rock Interactions
Service
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, University Faculty-Industry Liason to SME (2010 - 2010)
- School of Life Sciences, SOLS Takes a Hike, field trip expert on geology (2010 - 2010)
- Society for Mining, Minerals, and Exploration (SME), Maricopa Chapter, University Faculty-Industry Liason (2010 - 2010)
- Various individuals and news organizations, Expert (2010 - 2010)
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Faculty Liason to Society of Mining Engineers (2009 - 2009)
- Society of Mining Engineers, Maricopa Chapter, University - Industry Faculty Liason (2009 - 2009)
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Field trip leader - Grad recruiting weekend (2009 - 2009)
- Nature, Reviewer 2 Manuscripts (2008 - 2008)
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Faculty Liason to Society of Mining Engineers (2008 - 2008)
- Society of Mining Engineers, Maricopa Chapter, University - Industry Faculty Liason (2008 - 2008)
- GeoClub, Field Trip Leader (2008 - 2008)
- Society of Mining Engineers, Maricopa Chapter, University - Industry Faculty Liason (2006 - 2006)
- Various individuals, Expert (2006 - 2006)
- Public, Field trip leader (2006 - 2006)
- Awards, Member (2006 - 2006)
- University Presbyterian Church, Gave popular lecture "Interesting geological sites in Phoenix and Tempe" (2006 - 2006)
- Journal of Petrology, Reviewer - 1 manuscript (2005 - 2006)
- Resource Geology, Adisory Editor (1998 - 2005)
- Southwest Section, National Association of Geology Teachers, Field trip leader, photographer (2005 - 2005)
- NASA Cosmochemistry Program, External reviewer - 3 proposals (2005 - 2005)
- Graduate Committee, Chair (2005 - 2005)
- Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets, Reviewer - 2 manuscripts (2005 - 2005)
- GeoClub, Field Trip Leader (2004)
- Smithsonian Magazine CultureFest, Field Trip Leader (2004)
- Academic Program Review Committee, Member (2004 - 2004)
- Graduate Committee, Member (2004 - 2004)
- Academic Program Review Committee, Member (2003)
- All Saints' Episcopal Day School, Trip leader (2003)
- Chemical Geology, Reviewed manuscript (2003)
- Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Reviewed manuscript (2003)
- Graduate Committee, Member (2003)
- Mineralogical Magazine, Reviewed manuscript (2003)
- Mineralogical Society of Arizona, Guest Speaker (2003)
- Society of Mining Engineers, Maricopa Chapter, University - Industry Faculty Liason (2003)
- Geology Field Camp, ASU (Geologic mapping and remote sensing), Director (1995 - 2000)