Donald Burt

Donald Burt

Professor, School Of Earth and Space Exploration
  • donald.burt@asu.edu
  • PS H469C TEMPE, AZ 85287-6004
  • Mail code: 6004
    Campus: Tempe
  • ‌
Biography Research Teaching Public Work
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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)

CV
Curriculum Vitae
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
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
2021 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
SES 593 Applied Project
2021 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
2020 Fall
Course Number Course Title
GLG 101 Intro to Geology I (Physical)
SES 792 Research
SES 799 Dissertation
GLG 441 Ore Deposits
SES 692 Research
GLG 598 Special Topics
2020 Summer
Course Number Course Title
SES 692 Research
SES 692 Research
SES 792 Research
SES 792 Research
SES 799 Dissertation
SES 799 Dissertation
2020 Spring
Course Number Course Title
GLG 101 Intro to Geology I (Physical)
GLG 304 Minerals, Energy, and Society
SOS 373 Minerals, Energy, and Society
SES 799 Dissertation
SES 692 Research
SES 792 Research
2019 Fall
Course Number Course Title
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
SES 792 Research
SES 799 Dissertation
GLG 441 Ore Deposits
GLG 598 Special Topics
2019 Spring
Course Number Course Title
GLG 102 Intro Geology II (Historical)
GLG 104 Introduction to Geology II-Lab
GLG 104 Introduction to Geology II-Lab
GLG 304 Minerals, Energy, and Society
GLG 104 Introduction to Geology II-Lab
SOS 373 Minerals, Energy, and Society
SES 799 Dissertation
SES 692 Research
SES 792 Research
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)
Expertise Areas
Geological Processes
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