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Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

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Faculty Profile

Virginia SissonVirginia Sisson

Instructional Professor of Geology, Director of Summer Field Geology, Co-director of Geoscience Learning Center

Curriculum Vitae

Office: Science & Research 1, 236A
Contact: vbsisson@uh.edu - 713-743-7634

Education: Ph.D., Princeton University, 1985, Dissertation: Contact Metamorphism and Fluid Evolution Associated with the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, Canada
M.A., Princeton University, 1981
A.B., Bryn Mawr College cum laude with honors in geology, 1979

Google Scholar Profile
ResearchGate Profile

Field oriented petrotectonic studies on convergent margins, triple junction interactions, granite emplacement, subduction zone metamorphism and exhumation processes, and jadeitite formation. Have also done field work in Guatemala, Alaska, Venezuela, British Columbia, India, Malaysia, Norway, California, Washington, Montana, Nevada, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Myanmar. Fluid inclusion studies and boron geochemistry of metamorphic rocks.

Courses Taught

  • Physical Geology (GEOL 1330) - Fall semester
  • Physical Geology laboratory (GEOL 1130) – Every semester, co-supervise 12-16 sections of lab to accompany the lecture course
  • Historical Geology laboratory (GEOL 1176) – Every semester, co-supervise 2-3 sections of lab, co-author Story of the Earth, an open access lab book for this course
  • Field Geology (GEOL 3355 and 3360)  Capstone course for undergraduate majors, typically taught at the Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association facility in southwestern Montana for five weeks

Books

  • Sisson, V. B., Kleinspehn, K., and O'Reilly, G., 1992, Planning for Field Safety. American Geological Institute, 197 pp.
  • Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., editors, 2003, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, Geological Society of America Special Paper 371, 388 pp. with one CD.
  • Avé Lallemant, H.G. and Sisson, V. B., editors, 2005, South American/Caribbean plate interactions in northern Venezuela, Geological Society of America Special Paper 394, 331 pp. with 2 plates

Refereed Publications

  • Sisson, V. B., Crawford, M. L., and Thompson, P. H., 1981, CO2-brine immiscibility at high temperatures, evidence from calcareous metasedimentary rocks. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 78, 371-378
  • Plafker, G., Nokleberg, W. J., Lull, J. S., Coleman, R. B., Pavlis, T. L., Pessel, G. H., Roback, R. C., Sisson, V. B., and Winkler, G. R., 1985, Summary of Trans Alaskan Crustal Transect (TACT) geologic studies in the northern Chugach Mountains and southern Copper River Basin. U. S. Geological Survey Circular 967, 76-79
  • Sisson, V. B., and Onstott, T. C., 1986, Dating blueschist metamorphism: A combined 40Ar/39Ar and electron microprobe approach. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 50, 2111-2117
  • Sisson, V. B., 1987, Halogen chemistry as an indicator of metamorphic fluid interaction with the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, Canada. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 95, 123-131
  • Hollister, L. S., Grissom, G. C., Peters, E. K., Stowell, H. H., and Sisson, V. B., 1987, Confirmation of the empirical correlation of Al in hornblende with pressure of solidification of calc-alkaline plutons. American Mineralogist, 72, 231-239
  • Sisson, V. B., and Hollister, L. S., 1988, Low-pressure facies series metamorphism in an accretionary sedimentary prism, southern Alaska; Geology, 16, 358-361
  • Sisson, V. B., Hollister, L. S., and Onstott, T. C., 1989, Petrologic constraints on the origin of a low pressure/high temperature complex, eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research, 94, 4392-4410
  • Onstott, T. C., Sisson, V. B., and Turner, D., 1989, Initial argon in amphiboles from the Chugach Mountains, southern Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research, 94, 4361-4372
  • Sisson, V. B., and Hollister, L. S., 1990, Fluid inclusion study of pelitic schists and metamorphosed carbonate rocks, south-central Maine. American Mineralogist, 75, 59-70
  • Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. L., Snee, L., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, 40Ar/39Ar Isotopic Ages from the combined Wrangellia-Alexander Terrane along the Border Ranges Fault System in the Eastern Chugach Mountains and Glacier Bay, Alaska. in Geologic Studies in Alaska by the U. S. Geological Survey, 1990, ed by D. C. Bradley and A. B. Ford, U. S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1999, 180-195
  • Leeman, W. P., Sisson, V. B., and Reid, M. R., 1991, Boron geochemistry of the lower crust: Evidence from granulite terranes and deep crustal xenoliths. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 56, 775-788
  • Moran, A. E., Sisson, V. B., Leeman, W. P., 1992, Boron depletion in subducted oceanic crust and sediments: Effects of metamorphism and implications for arc magma compositions. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 111, 331-349
  • Pavlis, T. L., Sisson, V. B., Foster, H., Nokleberg, W. J., and Plafker, G., 1993, Constraints on crustal extension in the western Yukon-Tanana terrane, central Alaska. Tectonics, 12, 103-122
  • Sisson, V. B., Lovelace, R. L., Maze, W. B., and Bergman, S. C., 1993, Direct observations of fluid inclusion growth. Geology, 21, 751-754
  • Sisson, V. B., and Pavlis, T. L., 1993, Geological consequences of plate reorganization: an example from the Eocene forearc, Gulf of Alaska. Geology, 21, 913-916
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., 1993, Caribbean-South American plate interactions: constraints from the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. in Gulf Coast Section Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, 13th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, J. L. Pindell and B. E. Perkins (eds.), 211-219
  • Sisson, V. B., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., Uplift history of blueschists and eclogites in the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela, Part 1: Petrological constraints. Transactions of the 13th Caribbean Conference (Pinar del Rio, Cuba), final copy accepted 1993 (not published due to lack of funds)
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., Uplift path of blueschists and eclogites in Cordillera de la Costa Belt, Venezuela, Part 2: Deformational constraints. Transactions of the 13th Caribbean Conference (Pinar del Rio, Cuba), final copy accepted 1993 (not published due to lack of funds)
  • Sisson, V. B., Pavlis, T. L., and Prior, D. J., 1994, Effects of triple junction interactions on convergent plate margins: results of a Penrose conference. Geological Society of America Today, 4, 248-249
  • Sisson, V. B., 1994, Effects of triple junction interactions discussed. JOI/USSAC Newsletter, 7, no. 2, 5
  • Pavlis, T. L. and Sisson, V. B., 1995, Structural history of the Chugach Metamorphic Complex in the Tana River region, eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska: A record of tectonic processes during Eocene subduction of the Kula-Farallon spreading center. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 107, 1333-1355
  • Harris, N. R., Sisson, V. B., Wright, J. E., and Pavlis, T. L., 1996, Evidence for mafic underplating during forearc intrusive activity associated with Eocene accretion, eastern Chugach mountains, Alaska. Geology, 24, 263-266
  • Leeman, W. P., and Sisson, V. B., 1996, Geochemistry of boron and its implications for crustal and mantle processes. in Boron Mineralogy and Geochemistry, edited by E. S. Grew and L. M. Anovitz, Mineralogical Society of America Reviews in Mineralogy, 33, 645-708
  • Smart, K. J., Pavlis, T. L., Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., and Snee, L. W., 1996, The Border Ranges fault system in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska: Evidence for major late Mesozoic-early Cenozoic dextral strike-slip motion, Canadian Journal of Earth Science, 33, 1268-1282
  • Sisson, V. B., Ertan, I. E., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., 1997, High-pressure (~2000 MPa) metamorphism of pelitic and mafic assemblages from the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. Journal of Petrology, 38, 65-83
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., Gottschalk, R. R., Sisson, V. B., and Oldow, J. S., 1998, Structural analysis of the Kobuk Fault Zone, north-central Alaska. Geological Society of America Special Paper 324, 261-268
  • El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V. B., 1999, Fluid inclusion evidence for exhumation of eclogites and blueschists from Northeast Oman. Chemical Geology, 154, 193-223
  • Smith, C. A., Sisson, V. B., Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Copeland, P., 1999, Two contrasting P-T-t paths in the Villa de Cura blueschist belt, Venezuela: a record of ~97 Ma subduction in the Caribbean, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 111, 831-848
  • Woodford, D. T., Sisson, V. B., and Leeman, W. P., 2001, Boron metasomatism at the Alta Stock Contact Aureole, Utah, American Mineralogist, 86, 513-533
  • Seitz, R., Harlow, G. E., Sisson, V. B., and Taube, K. E., 2001, Formative jades and expanded jade sources in Guatemala. Antiquity, v. 75, no. 290, 687-688
  • Sisson, V. B., 2002, Re-Discovery of Olmec blue jade, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, v. 45, no. 2, 23-25.
  • Sisson, V.B., 2003, The Geology of North America, in Earth and Atmospheric Science, Geology (EOLSS theme 6.15. topic 2 and 7), edited by Kurt Stüwe and Bernhard Grasemann, Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the auspices of the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Oxford, UK, web only publication available at http://www.eolss.net or http://www.eolss.net/E6-15-toc.aspx.
  • Sisson, V. B., Poole, A. R., Burner, H. C., Pavlis, T. L., Copeland, P., Donelick, R. A., W, McClelland, 2003, Magmatic and geochronologic constraints for genesis of a tonalite-trondhjemite suite and associated mafic intrusive rocks in the eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska: a record of ridge-transform subduction, in Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Publication 371, 293-326.
  • Sisson, V. B., Pavlis, T. P., Roeske, S. M., Thorkelson, D. J., 2003, An overview of ridge-trench interactions in modern and ancient settings, in Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Publication 371, 1-17.
  • Weinberger, J., and Sisson, V. B., 2003, Fluid inclusion study of the brittle/ductile transition in the Chugach Metamorphic Complex, in Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Publication 371, 217-236.
  • Bowman, J. R., Sisson, V. B., Pavlis, T. L., and Valley, J. W., 2003, Oxygen isotope constraints on fluid infiltration associated with high temperature--low pressure metamorphism (Chugach Metamorphic Complex) within the Eocene southern Alaska fore-arc, in Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Publication 371, 237-252.
  • Pavlis, T. L., and Sisson, V. B., 2003, Development of a subhorizontal detachment horizon in a transpressional system, Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska: Evidence for rheological stratification of the crust, in Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Publication 371, 191-216.
  • Pavlis, T. L., Marty, K., and Sisson, V. B., 2003, Eocene dextral strike-slip within the Chugach Terrane, southern Alaska: Evidence from fabric studies along the Richardson Highway, in Sisson, V. B., Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., editors, Geological consequences of ridge-trench interactions in the northern Pacific, GSA Spec Publication 371, 171-190.
  • Harlow, G.E., Sisson, V. B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sorensen, S. S., 2003, High-pressure, metasomatic rocks along the Motagua Fault Zone, Guatemala, Ofioliti, 28 (2), 115-120.
  • Harlow, G.E., Hemming, S.R., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., Sorensen, S.S., 2004, Two HP-LT serpentinite-matrix mélange belts, Motagua fault zone, Guatemala: A record of Aptian and Maastrichtian collisions, Geology, 32, 17-20.
  • El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V. B., 2004, Fluid inclusions in carpholite-bearing metasediments and blueschists from NE Oman: Constraints on P-T evolution, European Journal of Mineralogy, 16, 221-233.
  • Taube, K.E., Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., Seitz, R., 2004, The sourcing of Mesoamerican jade: Expanded geological reconnaissance in the Motagua region, Guatemala, in Jade in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Taube, K.E., Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA, p. 203-220.
  • Sisson, V. B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Ostos, M., Copeland, P., Snee, L., Blythe, A., Donelick, R. A., Wright J. E., and Guth, L., 2005, New U/Pb, Sr/Rb, Ar/Ar, zircon and apatite fission-track, and C14 ages in northern Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, 91-118.
  • Sisson, V. B., Chaika, C., Kessler, R., 2005, Fluid inclusion constraints on exhumation of high-pressure belts in northern Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, p. 157-172.
  • Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., 2005, Exhumation of eclogites and blueschists in northern Venezuela: Constraints from kinematic analysis of deformation structures in Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, p. 193-206.
  • Unger, L.M., Sisson, V.B., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2005, Geochemical evidence for island-arc origin of the Villa de Cura blueschist belt, Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, p. 223-250.
  • Ostos, M., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, Geochemistry and tectonic setting of igneous and metaigneous rocks of northern Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, p. 119-155.
  • Ostos, M., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, The alpine-type Tinaquillo peridotite complex, Venezuela: Fragment of a Jurassic rift zone?, in Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, p. 207-222.
  • Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2005,Geochemical evidence for possible trench provenance and fluid-rock histories, Cordillera de la Costa eclogite belt, Venezuela, in Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., editors, Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, p.173-192.
  • Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., 2005, Prologue for Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, 5 p.
  • Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., 2005, Epilogue for Caribbean / South American plate interactions, Venezuela, GSA Spec Publication no. 394, p. 329-332.
  • Tsujimori, T., Sisson, V.B., Liou, J.G., Harlow, G.E., Sorensen, S.S., 2006, Petrologic characterization of Guatemala lawsonite eclogite: Eclogitization of subducted oceanic crust in a cold subduction zone, in Hacker, B.R., McClelland, W.C., Liou, J.G., editors, Ultrahigh pressure metamorphism: Deep continental subduction, GSA Spec Publication no. 403, 147-168
  • Tsujimori T., Sisson V. B., Liou J. G., Harlow G. E., Sorensen S. S., 2006, Very-low-temperature record in subduction process: A review of worldwide lawsonite eclogites. Lithos, v. 92, p. 609-624, doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2006.03.054
  • Harlow, G.E., Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., 2007, Jade Deposits, in Groat, L.A., ed., Geology of Gem Deposits, Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course Series, v. 37, p. 207-254
  • Sisson, V.B., Kauffman, M., Bordeaux, Y., Giegengack, R., Thomas, R., 2009, The Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association (YBRA): Maintaining a Leadership Role in Field-Course Education for 79 Years, Geological Society of America Special Paper, On Teaching Field Geology, GSA Special Paper 461, 15-25.

Unreviewed Reports

  • Sisson, V. B., and Leeman, W. P., 1988, The role of boron and fluids in high temperature, shallow level metamorphism of the Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska. In Workshop on the Deep Continental Crust of South India (L. D. Ashwall, ed.), pp. 165-167. Lunar and Planetary Institute Technical Report. 88-06. Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston
  • Pavlis, T. L., Underwood, M., Sisson, V. B., Serpa, L. F., Prior, D., Marsaglia, K. M., Lewis, S. D., and Byrne, T., 1995, The effects of triple junction interactions at convergent margins. Joint Oceanographic Institutes Report on the Results of the Joint JOI/USSAC and Geological Society of America Penrose Conference, 44 p.

Abstracts and other presentations

  • Greeley, R., Gault, D. E., Synder, D. B., Sisson, V. B., Schulz, P. H., and Guest, J. E., 1979, Martian multilobed craters; impact crater simulations. American Geophysical Union EOS, 60, 873
  • Crawford, M. L., and Sisson, V. B., 1980, CO2-brine immiscibility in high-grade metamorphic rocks. Geological Association of Canada Abstracts, 6, A11
  • Maze, W. B., Bergman, S. C., and Sisson, V. B., 1981, Direct observations of the formation of fluid inclusions. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 13, 506
  • Sisson, V. B., 1984, Source of hydrothermal fluids associated with the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 16, 408
  • Hollister, L. S., Crisp, J. A., Kulick, C., Maze, W. B., and Sisson, V. B., 1984, Quantitative energy dispersive analysis of rock forming silicates. Proceedings of the 19th Annual Conference Microbeam Analysis Society of America Abstracts, 143-144
  • Sisson, V. B., and Hollister, L. S., 1985, Relation of magma intrusion to deformation and uplift of eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 17, 408
  • Grissom, G. C., Peters, E. K., Sisson, V. B., Stowell, H. H., Hollister, L. S., 1985, Pressure of crystallization of calc-alkaline plutons in the Coast Mtns, B. C. and Alaska based on aluminum content of hornblende. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 17, 358
  • Peters, E. K., Grissom, G. C., Hollister, L. S., Sisson, V. B., and Stowell, H. H., 1985, Pressure of crystallization of calc-alkaline plutons based on aluminum content of hornblende. American Geophysical Union EOS, 66, 422-423
  • Aherns, L. J., Sisson, V. B., and Hollister, L. S., 1985, CO2-rich metamorphic fluids, south-central Maine. American Geophysical Union EOS, 66, 389
  • Sisson, V. B., 1986, The role of boron in partial melting: Field and petrologic evidence from the Chugach Mtns, southern Alaska and Ponder pluton, Coast Mtns, B. C. Geological Society of America Penrose Conference on Migmatites
  • Sisson, V. B., Hollister, L. S., and Plafker, G., 1986, Rapid two-stage metamorphism of the eastern Chugach Mtns, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 18, 188
  • Sisson, V. B., Hollister, L. S., James, T. S., and Kauzman, W. J., 1986, Tectonic setting and heat sources for low pressure facies series metamorphism in southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 18, 752
  • Sisson, V. B., Hollister, L. S., Kauzman, W. J., and Clare, A. K., 1986, Fluid advection as a heat source for low pressure greenschist metamorphism, Chugach Mountains, Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 67, 1197
  • James, T. S., Hollister, L. S., Sisson, V. B., and Morgan, W. J., 1986, Thermal modeling of the subduction of young oceanic crust. American Geophysical Union EOS, 67, 1197
  • Sisson, V. B., Clare, A. K., Aherns, L. J., and Hollister, L. S., 1987, A fluid inclusion study of pelitic schists and metamorphosed carbonate rocks, south-central Maine. 1rst Pan American Conference on Research on Fluid Inclusions, 1, 66
  • Sisson, V. B., Closmann, C. E., Leeman, W. P., Holdaway, M. E., and Truscott, M., 1988, Boron loss during progressive metamorphism: examples from central Maine and southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 20, A342
  • Sisson, V. B., 1988, Geochemical and fluid evolution of the southern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Proceedings of the U. S. Geological Survey Conference on Trans-Alaskan Crustal Transect Results for Southern Alaska
  • Pavlis, T. L., Sisson, V. B., Nokleberg, W. J., Plafker, G., and Foster, H., 1988, Evidence for Cretaceous crustal extension in the Yukon Crystalline terrane, east-central Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 69, 1453
  • Sisson, V. B., 1989, Fluid inclusion study of hydrothermally altered synmetamorphic granites, south-central Maine. 2nd Pan-American Conference on Research on Fluid Inclusions, 2, 59
  • Sisson, V. B., 1989, Paleocene-Eocene metamorphism and plutonism in the southern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Geological Society of America Penrose conference on the Eocene Transition in the Cordillera: Oregon to Alaska
  • Pavlis, T. L., Roeske, S. M., Sisson, V. B., and Smart, K., 1989, Evidence for Cretaceous dextral strike-slip on the Border Ranges Fault in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 70, 1337
  • Moran, A. E., Sisson, V. B., and Leeman, W. P., 1990, The fate of boron in subducted oceanic slab: effects of burial, metamorphism, and chemical processing. V. M. Goldschimdt Geochemical Conference Abstracts, 67
  • Sisson, V. B., Pavlis, T. L., and Dusel-Bacon, C., 1990, Metamorphic constraints on Cretaceous crustal extension in the Yukon Crystalline terrane, east-central Alaska. Geological Association of Canada Abstracts, 15, A122
  • Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. L., Sisson, V. B., and Smart, K., 1990, Cretaceous strike-slip along the Border Ranges Fault system in eastern and southeastern Alaska. Geological Association of Canada Abstracts, 15, A112
  • Leeman, W. P., Moran, A. E., and Sisson, V. B., 1990, Compositional variations accompanying metamorphism of subducted oceanic lithosphere: implications for genesis of arc magmas and mantle replenishment. Geological Society of Australia Abstracts No. 27 for 7th International Conference on Cosmochronology and Isotope Geology Abstracts, 58
  • Baker, L. L., and Sisson, V. B., 1990, Anatectic controls on element mobility in the amphibolite-granulite transition in the Bjerkeim-Sokndal contact aureole, southern Norway. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 22, A117
  • Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. P., and Sisson, V. B., 1990, Cretaceous dextral strike-slip along the Border Ranges Fault system in the eastern Chugach Mountains. Southern Alaska. American Geophysical Union EOS, 71, 1589
  • Leeman, W. P., and Sisson, V. B., 1991, Boron in progressively metamorphosed pelites and basalts: implications for compositional variations in subducted oceanic slabs. American Geophysical Union EOS, 72, 293
  • Sisson, V. B., and Santosh, M., 1991, Geochemical constraints of boron mobility in khondalites and charnockites in South India. International Geological Correlation Program Project 304 Workshop on Lower Crustal Processes: Sri Lanka (conference cancelled because of Gulf War)
  • Sisson, V. B., and Xu, P., 1991, Boron enrichment and depletion trends associated with contact metamorphism caused by emplacement of the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, Canada. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 23, A447-448
  • Gordon, A. C., and Sisson, V. B., 1991, Boron metasomatism in a high pressure-low temperature metamorphic setting: a case study of the Constitution Formation on San Juan Island, WA. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 23, A427
  • Sisson, V. B., 1991, Metamorphic constraints on uplift associated with extension of the Salcha River gneiss dome, central Alaska. Proceedings of the U. S. Geological Survey Conference on Trans-Alaskan Crustal Transect Results for Central Alaska, 13
  • Decker, C. L., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, Mechanical behavior of faults in Somerset, UK, due to fluid-rock interaction. Annual Meeting of the Usher Society, UK, 33
  • Manjari, A., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, Petrogenesis of an amphibolite-to-granulite transition in the Coorg granulite complex, southern India. International Geological Correlation Program Project 304 Workshop on Lower Crustal Processes: Adirondack Granulite Complex, 10
  • Bebout, A. E., Graham, C. M., Leeman, W. P., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, Trace element distribution and mobility during prograde metamorphism of sediments: ion-microprobe study of the Pelona schist, California. American Geophysical Union EOS, 73, 327
  • Sisson, V. B., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., 1992, Uplift history of blueschists and eclogites in the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela, Part 1. Petrologic constraints. 13th Caribbean Geological Conference Abstracts, 61
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, Uplift history of blueschists and eclogites in the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela, Part 2. Deformational features. 13th Caribbean Geological Conference Abstracts, 62
  • Sisson, V. B., Harris, N. R., Wright, J. E., and Pavlis, T. L., 1992, Fore-arc felsic magmas in southern Alaska: a consequence of ridge subduction. Geological Society of America Penrose Conference on Low-K Felsic Magmas in Subduction Zone Settings, Chelan, Washington
  • Sisson, V. B., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., 1992, Burial and ascent of blueschists and eclogites, Venezuela, Part 1. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 24, 7, 149
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, Burial and ascent of blueschists and eclogites, Venezuela, Part 2. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 24, 7, 149
  • Harris, N. R., Sisson, V. B., Wright, J. E., and Pavlis, T. L., 1992, Geochemical evidence for mafic underplating during forearc intrusive activity associated with Eocene accretion, eastern Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 24, 7, 76
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, Caribbean-South America plate interactions: Constraints from the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. Proceedings of the 13th Annual Research Conference, Gulf Coast Section Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, 27
  • Pavlis, T. L., and Sisson, V. B., 1992, Geologic consequences of ridge subduction: structural and metamorphic history of an Eocene high-T, Low-P metamorphic complex in the forearc of southern Alaska. European Tectonics Studies Group Meeting, South Hampton, UK
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., Sisson, V. B., and Wright, J. E., 1993, Structure of the Cordillera de la Costa belt, north-central Venezuela: implications for plate tectonic models. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 77, 304
  • Kohler, G. , Oldow, J. S., Sisson, V. B., and Donelick, R. A., 1993, Displacement transfer system linking the Furnace Creek and Walker Lane systems, west-central Nevada. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 25, 5, 63
  • Pavlis, T. L., and Sisson, V. B., 1993, Geologic effects of plate reorganization at a ridge-trench-trench triple junction: The Chugach Metamorphic Complex, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 25, 6, 479
  • Leeman, W. P., and Sisson, V. B., 1994, Boron geochemistry and crust/mantle processes. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 452
  • Xu, P., Sisson, V. B., Bowman, J. B., and Leeman, W. P., 1994, Fluid evolution of a low-P, high-T metamorphic terrane, Chugach Mountains, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 226
  • Woodford, D. T., Leeman, W. P., and Sisson, V. B., 1994, Boron metasomatism in the Alta Stock contact aureole, Utah. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 450
  • Pavlis, T. P., Sisson, V. B., and Marty, K., 1994, Evidence for a subhorizontal, mid-crustal detachment during Eocene transpression of the southern Alaska forearc. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 26, 7, 109
  • Sisson, V. B., and Pavlis, T. P., 1994, Architecture of the Chugach metamorphic complex, southern Alaska: two views of ancient ridge-trench interaction. ILIAD Conference, 52
  • Roeske, S. M., Snee, L. W., Pavlis, T. L., and Sisson, V. B., 1995, Tectonic response of the Chugach accretionary complex to early Cenozoic oblique subduction. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 5, 74
  • Sisson, V. B., and Pavlis, T. P., 1995, Contrasting metamorphic and structural history in a low-P, high-T complex, southern Alaska: effects of ancient ridge-trench interaction. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 317
  • Xu, P., and Sisson, V. B., 1995, Accessory mineral relationships in a prograde low-P sequence, Chugach Metamorphic Complex, southern Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 439
  • Ertan, I. E., Sisson, V. B., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., 1995, Metamorphic and age constraints for the Cordillera de la Costa belt, Venezuela. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 229
  • Pavlis, T. L., Serpa, L. F., and Sisson, V. B., 1995, Analysis of tectonic systems: A four-dimensional problem. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 27, 6, 339
  • Smith, C. A., Avé Lallemant, H. G., Sisson, V. B., and Copeland, P., 1996, Tectonic setting of contrasting high pressure assemblages, northern Venezuela, and implications for Caribbean-South American plate interactions. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 28, 1, 63
  • Poole, A. R., Sisson, V. B., and Pavlis, T. P., 1996, Age and geochemical constraints on ridge subduction for eastern Chugach terrain felsic magmas, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 28, 5, 120
  • El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V. B., 1996, Fluid inclusion evidence for exhumation of eclogites and blueschists from Northeast Oman. 6th Pan American Conference on Research on Fluid Inclusions, 6, 43
  • Sisson, V. B., Avé Lallemant, H. G., Ertan, I. E., and Smith, C. A., 1996, Exhumation of two parallel belts of high pressure rocks, northern Venezuela. Geological Society of America Penrose Conference on Exhumation processes, Crete, Greece
  • Sorensen, S. S., Sisson, V. B., Ertan, I.E., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., 1996, Likely protoliths and mass transfer within a Caribbean high P/T metamorphic terrane. American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 77, 762
  • Sisson, V. B., Cooper, H., Pavlis, T. L., and Poole, A. R., 1997, Contrasting metamorphic histories within the Chugach Metamorphic Complex: Differential uplift related to transpression on the Fairweather Fault, Alaska. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 29, 6, 277
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., Sisson, V. B., and Ertan, I. E., 1997, Exhumation of high-pressure rocks due to plate boundary-parallel stretching. Geological Society of America Abstracts, 29, 6, 119
  • Few, A. A., Leeman, W. P., and Sisson, V. B., 1998, Interdisciplinary environmental teaching, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 79, S444
  • Sisson, V. B., Pavlis, T. P., and Stüwe, K., 1998, Along-strike differences in the forearc associated with Eocene triple-junction interactions in the Mt. St. Elias/Mt. Logan region, invited presentation, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 79, 913
  • Roeske, S. M., Pavlis, T. L., and Sisson, V. B., 1998, Trenchward migration of a strike-slip system through the forearc during Early Eocene evolution of the Chugach Accretionary Complex, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 79, F913
  • Sisson, V. B., 1999, Ridge-trench interaction along the North American Cordillera, invited presentation, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 6, A94
  • Sisson, V. B., Avé Lallemant, H. G., Ertan, I. E., Smith, C. S., 1999, Evolution of two high-pressure belts in northern Venezuela, invited presentation, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 6, A95
  • Horseman, E., Sisson, V. B., Tikoff, B., 1999, Evolution of the Rosy Creek Shear zone, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 6, A63
  • Weinberger, J., Sisson, V. B., 1999, Brittle-ductile deformation and dewatering of a greenschist facies graywacke, Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 7, A427
  • Stiles, L., Sisson, V. B., Avé Lallemant, H. G., 1999, Geochemical evidence for island arc subduction in the Caribbean: The Villa de Cura blueschist belt, Venezuela, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 31, 7, A114
  • Huang, S., Leeman, W. P., Sisson, V. B., Kloucek, P., 1999, Numerical modeling for subduction zone thermal structure, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 80, F573
  • Avé Lallemant, H.G., Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G., Sorensen, S. S., Kane, R. E., U Han Thun, U Myint Soe, 2000, The Nansibon jade mine, Myanmar: structure and tectonics, EOS American Geophysical Union Abstracts, 81, F433
  • Sisson, V. B., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., 2001, Evolution of the Cretaceous to Recent orogenic belt of northern Venezuela, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 33, 6, A154
  • Sorensen , S. S., Sisson, V. B., and Avé Lallemant, H. G., 2001, Tectonogeochemistry of the Cordillera de la Costa eclogite belt, Venezuela, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 33, 6, A250
  • El-Shazly, A., and Sisson, V. B., 2001, Microthermometry of fluid inclusions in Fe-Mg carpholite and quartz from Saih Hatat, Oman: Constraints on P-T evolution, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 33, 6, A381
  • Huang, S., Leeman, W. P., and Sisson V. B., 2001, Comparative thermal structures of circum-Pacific subduction zones, American Geophysical Union EOS Abstracts, 83, 1292
  • Harlow, G. E., Sisson, V. B., Seitz, R., and Taube, K. A., 2001, New jade discoveries in Guatemala: probable Olmec sources, submitted to The Olmec Legacy conference, Miami, conference cancelled because September 11th 2001 disaster.
  • Harlow, G. E., Sisson, V. B., Sorensen, S. S., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2002, High-pressure and metasomatic rocks along the Motagua Fault Zone: Implications for emplacement tectonics and geochemical processes, IGCP Project 433 meeting, Guatemala City, January 2002. Note, abstract to be published in Ofioliti at a later date.
  • Sisson, V. B., Harlow, G. E., Hemming, S., Sorensen, S. S., Avé Lallemant, H. G, 2002, Jadeitite and eclogite occurrences along the Motagua Suture Zone, Guatemala, International Mineralogist Association Abstracts, published by Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, p. 221-222.
  • Bowman, J. B., Sisson, V. B., Valley, J., Pavlis, T. P., 2002, Oxygen isotope constraints on fluid infiltration associated with high-temperature/low-pressure metamorphism (Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Eocene southern Alaska forearc, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 34, 6, 432-433.
  • Avé Lallemant, H. G., and Sisson, V. B., 2002, Geodynamic evolution of northern Venezuela, Program Técnico, 11th Congreso Venezolano de Geofísica, Sociedad Venezolano de Ingenieros Geofísicos, extended abstract for keynote address, 5 pages
  • Sisson, V. B., Harlow, G. E., Avé Lallemant, H. G, Hemming, S., Sorensen, S.S., 2003, Two belts of jadeitite and other high-pressure rocks in serpentinites, Motagua Fault Zone, Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 35, 4, 75
  • Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., Sorensen, S.S., Bruekner, H.K., Sahm, E., and Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2003, Lawsonite Eclogite and other high-pressure assemblages in the southern Motagua Fault zone, Guatemala: Implications for Chortis Collision and Subduction Zones, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 35, no. 7, p. 639
  • Francis, A.H., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Sisson, V.B., 2005, Tectonic History of Two Disparate High-Pressure, Low-Temperature Metamorphic Belts in the Motagua Valley, Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 37, no. 3, p. 5
  • Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., Sorensen, S.S., 2005, Jadeitite: A record of metasomatism at various depths in Guatemalan subduction zones, Goldschmict Conference Abstracts 2005, p. A785
  • Avé Lallemant, H.G., Francis, A.H., Sisson, V.B., Hemming, S.R., Roden-Tice, M., Harlow, G.E., Chiquin, M., 2005, Two jadeitite belts in the Motagua Valley fault zone, Guatemala: Two subduction events or one subduction event with retrogression?, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 37, no. 7, p. 67
  • Sisson, V.B., Sorensen, S.S.,Harlow, G.E., 2006,Subduction zone fluid composition estimated from fluid inclusions in Guatemalan jadeitites, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 270
  • Harlow, G.E., Mandeville, C.M., Sisson, V.B., 2006, Sulfide mineralogy of low-T/high-P rocks from serpentinite mélanges of the Motagua fault zone, Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 294
  • Sorensen, S.S., Harlow, G.E., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Tsujimori, T., 2006, REE systematics of garnet, lawsonite, titanite and apatite in Guatemalan lawsonite eclogite: Fluid histories from a cold subduction zone, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 208
  • Beardsley, A., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., 2006, Shallow level exhumation history of the Leeward Antilles, offshore Venezuela: Evidence form fluid inclusion analysis, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 38, no. 7, p. 209
  • Harlow, G.E., Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., Cleary, J., 2006, Jadeitite jade from Guatemala: Distinctions among multiple sources, Gems and Gemology, v. 42, no. 3, p. 146-147
  • Sorensen, S.S., Sisson, V.B., Harlow, G.E., Avé Lallemant, H.G., and Tsujimori, T., 2007, Jadeitite, lawsonite eclogite, and related rocks, Guatemala: Fluid-rock stories from a cold subduction zone, Goldschmidt Conference 2007 Abstracts, p. A957
  • Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Harlow, G.E., Bruekner, H., Hemming, S., Roden-Tice, M., Valencia, V., Francis, A., 2007, Geochronologic constraints on the exhumation of the Chortms and Maya blocks, central Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, v. 39, no. 6, p. 237
  • Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Harlow, G.E., Bruekner, H., Hemming, S., Roden-Tice, M., Valencia, V., Blythe, A., Francis, A., 2007, Geologic and Geochronologic Evidence for Different PTt paths across the Motagau Fault, central Guatemala, IGCP 546 Meeting on Subduction Zones of the Caribbean, Guatemala
  • Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant, H.G., Hemming, S., Valencia, V., Bruekner, H., Roden-Tice, M., Blythe, A., Harlow, G.E., 2008, New U/Pb and Fission Track geochronologic constraints on the subduction history of central Guatemala, 18th Caribbean Geological Conference Abstracts and Program, p. 50.
  • Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant,, H.G., Sorensen, S.S., 2008, Correlation of Eocene-Oligocene Exhumation around the Caribbean: Veneauela, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 292-8
  • Beardsley, A.G., Sisson, V.B., Avé Lallemant,, H.G., Roden-Tice, M., Blythe, A., 2008, Exhumation history of the Leeward Antilles coeval with regional deformation and island arc accretion, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 154-5
  • Harlow, G.E.. Sisson, V.B., Tsujimori, T., Sorensen, S.S., and Bruekner, H., 2008, P-T conditions for Eclogite / Garnet Amphibolite from serpentinite mélanges along the Motagua Fault Zone, Guatemala, Geological Society of America Abstracts, 344-8
  • GSA/ExxonMobil Field Camp Excellence Award 2018
  • Elected Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America 2017
  • Elected Fellow in Geological Society of America 1997
  • Rice University Women’s Center Impact Award for excellence in teaching and mentoring women on campus 1998
  • Rice University Outstanding Faculty Associate, Lovett College for outstanding participation in undergraduate advising and college affairs 1998

Professional Activities

Geological Society of America Foundation, Geological Society of America,Mineralogical Society of America, Gulf Coast Associated Geological Society, Pan-American Conference on Fluid Inclusions, Association for Women Geoscientists, American Association of Petroleum Geology, Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association, American Women in Science, Houston Chapter, Convenor Penrose Conference on Ridge Subduction