I am an interdisciplinary scientist with interests in diverse fields of earth and planetary sciences, including structural geology, tectonics, hazards, geophysics, remote sensing, GIS, sedimentology, hydrology, petrology, geochemistry, geobiology, and Precambrian crustal evolution. I also regularly give research talks to the general public, increasing public awareness of the role of science in society. Research facilities at SLU include digital microscopy, remote sensing and GIS, and standard rock and mineral preparation laboratories.

My main area of research is focused on the early history of the Earth, using various techniques to understand the role that plate margin processes have played in the growth of continental crust, partly through comparison between styles of Precambrian and younger orogens and continental margin accretionary processes. Other aspects of my research are aimed at unraveling the evolution of orogenic systems through integrated structural, tectonic, geophysical, petrologic, geochronologic, paleogeographic, and plate kinematic studies. My third main area of research includes developing the techniques of structural geology, GIS and satellite image analysis to benefit society, principally through analysis of geologic hazards, ground-water resources, and mineral exploration in arid regions.

To investigate the geodynamic evolution of the Earth I synergize data from a variety of sources to estimate how plate tectonics, which is the surface expression of planetary heat loss, has evolved from a period of higher heat flow from the early Earth to its present state. This knowledge leads to a better understanding of how the surface and interior of the planet have evolved with time, and how previous interactions of the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere have been driven by the fundamental heat loss from the interior of the earth. These broad geodynamic goals require the integration of data from many different fields, including structural geology and tectonics, geophysics, petrology and geochemistry, sedimentology, and biology. It also involves several different scales of observation, from global geophysical data sets, to regional synthesis that integrate field studies and satellite image interpretation, through the outcrop scale, to the microscopic and molecular levels, which yield clues about the boundary conditions of formation and deformation. This multi-disciplinary, multi-scale approach provides opportunities for students to work on different aspects of a related project, and to become integral parts of a research group with the same broad goals.

One effective technique we use is comparative studies of important Precambrian geological provinces with possible modern analogs, as well as other planets. I plan on continuing to work in both Precambrian and modern plate tectonic settings, and supervising students researching diverse aspects of plate tectonics and crustal evolution. Current projects around the globe include investigations in North America, Africa, Madagascar, Asia, and Europe, as discussed on different pages on this site.

  Kusky was mentioned by several news media for his new findings, 08/07/2007;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Discovery Provides Key Evidence Of Life's Beginnings, 07/31/2007 ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;New Orleans and Katrina ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Dr. Kusky has been appointed to the Inspection Team for the National Committee of UNESCO in China.