Ching-Hua Lo
Professor, Department of Geosciences
National Taiwan University
Tel: +886-2-33662915
Email: loch@ntu.edu.tw
 

 

Dr. Ching-Hua Lo graduated from National Taiwan University with a B.S. degree, and attended Princeton University for his graduate study where he received his Ph.D. in Geology and Geophysics in 1990. He joined the Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University in 1990, served as the department chair from 2002 to 2005, the Dean of the College of Science from 2005 to 2011, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, National Taiwan University from 2011 to 2013, the President of National Applied Research Laboratories, Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, from 2013 to 2016. He is appointed as the Executive Vice President of Administration, National Taiwan University beginning from 2019. Dr. Lo also served as a panel convener for the Earth Science Sub-division at the National Science Council of Taiwan, guest editors and members of the editorial boards of several international journals and book series, and council members and presidents for numerous geosciences societies in Taiwan and in Asia Pacific region as well. His fields of interest include the application of radiogenic isotope (40Ar-39Ar) geochronology, mass spectrometry, and principles of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to fundamental problems in geology. He is a proliferate researcher, and has also published more than 200 scientific papers, edited two special issues for the Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, one volume of Geodynamics Series for the American Geophysical Union, two volumes of Advances in Geosciences for European Geosciences Union and one volume for Springer Nature Series. His significant contributions have been greatly recognized by his peers. The numerous honors and awards he has received include the Best Paper Award from the Geological Society located in Taipei, the Island Arc Awards, the Outstanding Research Award and Distinguished Research Award from the National Science Council (now known as the Ministry of Science and Technology), the Academic Award and National Chair Professorship from the Ministry of Education, NTU Chair Professorships, and the Contribution Award from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam. He has also been elected to the Fellowship of Geological Society of America and Mineralogical Society of America.

 

RECENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

 

-        Tectonic processes in South East Asia:

South East Asia is a “natural laboratory” for studying important geological processes including continental collision, mountain building, lithospheric deformation, delamination and extension, and their potential impacts on physical environment of the planet Earth. In order to better understand the tectonic evolution of South East Asia after the India-Asia collision, several integrated research projects (namely CREATE, SPOT, and ACT) have been launched to investigate the relevant tectonic processes.

 

-        Inside of argon isotopic system:

Understanding argon diffusion mechanisms and their kinetics is one of the most important issues in 40Ar/39Ar geochronology because many of the applications of 40Ar/39Ar geochronological technique are developed on the basis of well constrained diffusion rate of argon in minerals. Fortunately, the sensitivity and resolution of the analytical instruments (laser dating probe and furnace step-heating technique) allow us to examine these fundamental problems in 40Ar/39Ar geochronology.  Based on field and experimental data, several projects regarding argon diffusion in K-feldspar, micas and hornblende, are currently conducted in the laboratory.

 

-        Age determination of catastrophic events:

Geochronology (the age dating of rocks and minerals) is one of the most fundamental fields in earth science because it can be applied to the dating of geological events and the evolution of the Earth and Solar system.  In the past, it has been reported that there are several significant events occurred in Asia, for instances, mass extinction, meteorite impact ... etc.  However, these events have not been thoroughly examined in the past, especially in terms of the timing of these events. As one of the outstanding geochronology laboratories in Asia Pacific, we are also working on the age determination for these catastrophic events in the region.

 

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

 

Lo, C.H. & Onstott, T.C. (1989). 39Ar recoil artifacts in chloritized biotite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 53(10), 2697-2711. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(89)90141-5

Lo, C.H. & Onstott, T.C. (1995). Rejuvenation of K-Ar isotope systems for minerals in the Taiwan Mountain Belt. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 131(1-2), 71-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(95)00011-Z

Yui, T.F., Rumble, D., III, & Lo, C.H. (1995). Unusually low 18O ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks from the Sulu Terrain, Eastern China. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 59(13), 2859-2864. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(95)00161-R

Lo, C.H. & Yui, T.F. (1996). 40Ar/39Ar dating of high-pressure metamorphic rocks in Taiwan. Journal of the Geological Society of China, 39(1), 13-30.

Chung, S.L., Lee, T.Y., Lo, C.H., Wang, P.L., Chen, C.Y., Yem, N.T., Hoa, T.T., & Genyao, W. (1997). Intraplate extension prior to continental extrusion along the Ailao Shan-Red River shear zone. Geology, 25(4), 311-314. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1997)025<0311:IEPTCE>2.3.CO;2

Chung, S.L., Lo, C.H, Lee, T.Y., Zhang, Y., Xie, X., Li, X., Wang, K.L., & Wang, P.L. (1998). Diachronous uplift of the Tibetan plateau staring 40 Myr ago. Nature, 394(6695), 723-725. 

Wang, P.L., Lo, C.H., Lee, T.Y., Chung, S.L., Lan, C.Y., & Yem, N.T. (1998). Thermochronological evidence for movement of the Ailao Shan - Red River shear zone: a perspective from Vietnam. Geology, 26(10), 887-890. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0887:TEFTMO>2.3.CO;2

Jahn, B.M., Wu, F., Lo, C.H., & Tsai, C.H. (1999). Crust-mantle interaction induced by deep subduction of the continental crust: geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic evidence from post-collisional mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Northern Dabie Complex, central China. Chemical Geology, 157(1-2), 119-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(98)00197-1

Li, S., Jagoutz, E., Lo, C.H., Chen, Y., Li, Q., & Xiao, Y. (1999). Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and 40Ar-39Ar isotopic systematics of the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Sulu Belt, Central China: A retrospective view. International Geology Review, 41(12), 1114-1124. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206819909465195

Lo, C.H., Lee, J.K.W., & Onstott, T.C. (2000). Argon release mechanisms of Biotite in vacuo and the role of short-circuit diffusion and recoil. Chemical Geology, 165(1-2), 135-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(99)00167-9

Lo, C.H., Chung, S.L., Lee, T.Y., & Wu, G.Y. (2002). Age of the Emeishan flood magmatism and relations to Permian-Triassic boundary events. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 198(3-4), 449-458. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(02)00535-6

Lo, C.H., Howard, K.T., Chung, S.L., & Meffre, S. (2002). Laser-fusion 40Ar/39Ar ages of Darwin impact glass. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 37(11), 1555-1562. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2002.tb00810.x

Chung, S.L., Liu, D., Ji, J., Chu, M.F., Lee, H.Y., Wen, D.J., Lo, C.H., Lee, T.Y., Qian, Q., & Zhang, Q. (2003). Adakites from continental collision zones: Melting of thickened lower crust beneath southern Tibet. Geology, 31(11), 1021-1024. https://doi.org/10.1130/G19796.1

Chung, S.L., Chu, M.F., Zhang, T.Q., Xie, Y.W., Lo, C.H., Lee, T.Y., Lan, C.Y., Li, X.H., Zhang, Q., & Wang, Y.Z. (2005). Tibetan tectonic evolution inferred from spatial and temporal variations in post-collisional magmatism. Earth-Science Reviews, 68(3-4), 173-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2004.05.001

Whattam, S.A., Malpas, J., Ali, J., Lo, C.H., & Smith, I.E.M. (2005). Formation and emplacement of the Northland ophiolite, New Zealand: SW Pacific tectonic implications. Journal of the Geological Society, 162(2), 225-241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/0016-764903-167

Wu, F.Y., Yang, J.H., Lo, C.H., Wilde, S.A., Su, D.Y., & Jahn, B.M. (2007). The Heilongjiang group: A Jurassic accretionary complex in the Jiamusi Massif at the western Pacific margin of northeastern China. Island Arc, 16(1), 156-172. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1738.2007.00564.x [2010 Island Arc Award]

Isik, V., Lo, C.H., Göncüoğlu, C., & Demirel, S. (2008). 39Ar/40Ar ages from the Yozgat Batholith: Preliminary data on the timing of late cretaceous extension in the Central Anatolian crystalline complex, Turkey. Journal of Geology, 116(5), 510-526.

Yeh, M.W., Lee, T.Y., Lo, C.H., Chung, S.L., Lan, C.Y., & Anh, T.T. (2008). Structural evolution of the Day Nui Con Voi metamorphic complex: Implications on the development of the Red River Shear zone, Northern Vietnam. Journal of Structural Geology, 30(12), 1540-1553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2008.08.007

Lin, T.H., Lo, C.H., Chung, S.L., Hsu, F.J., Yeh, M.W., Lee, T.Y., Ji, J., & Wang, Y.Z. (2009). 40Ar/39Ar Dating of Jiali and Gaoligong shear zones and its tectonic implications to crustal deformation around Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 34(5), 674-685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2008.10.009

Lin, T.H., Lo, C.H., Chung, S.L., Yeh, M.W., Lee, T.Y., Lan, C.Y., & Vuong, N.V. (2009). Jurassic dextral movement along the Dien Bien Phu Fault, NW Vietnam: Constraints from 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Journal of Geology, 117(2), 192-199.

Searle, M., Chung, S.L., & Lo, C.H. (2010). Initiation age and geological offsets along the northern Dead Sea fault, Syria. Journal of the Geological Society, 167(5), 1001-1008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492010-009

Tegner, C., Storey, M., Holm, P.M., Thorarinsson, S.B. Zhao, X. Lo, C.H. , Knudsen, M.F. (2011). Magmatism and Eurekan deformation in the High Arctic Large Igneous Province: 40Ar-39Ar age of Kap Washington Group volcanics, North Greenland. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 303(3-4), 203-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2010.12.047

Li, Z.X., Li, X.H., Chung, S.L., Lo, C.H., Xu, X., & Li, W.X. (2012). Magmatic switch-on and switch-off along the South China continental margin since the Permian: Transition from an Andean-type to Western Pacific-type plate boundary. Tectonophysics, 532-535, 271-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2012.02.011

Zhang, R.Y., Liou, J.G., Sobolev, N,V., Shatsky, V.S., IIzuka, Y., Lo, C.H., & Ogasawara, Y. (2012). Tale of the Kulet eclogite from the Kokchetav Massive, Kazakhstan: Initial tectonic setting and transition from amphibolite to eclogite. Journal of Metamorphic Geology , 30(5), 537-559. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1314.2012.00980.x

Tapsoba, B., Lo, C.H., Jahn, B.M., & Chung, S.L. (2013). Chemical and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions and zircon U-Pb ages of the Birimian granitoids from NE Burkina Faso, West African Craton: Implications on the geodynamic setting and crustal evolution. Precambrian Research, 224, 364-396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2012.09.013

Tapsoba, B., Lo, C.H., Wenmenga, U., Jahn, B.M., & Chung, S.L. (2013). 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of Paleoprotozoic granitoids of northeast Burkina Faso, West African Craton: Implications for regional tectonics. Precambrian Research, 235, 208-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2013.06.012

Zhang, R.Y., Lo, C.H., Chung, S.L., Grove, M., Iizuka, Y., Omori, S., Liou, J.G., & Tri, T.V. (2013). Origin and tectonic implication of ophiolite and eclogite in the Song Ma suture zone between the South China and Indochina blocks. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 31(1), 49-62. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmg.12012

Zhang, R.Y., Lo, C.H., Li, X., Chung, S.L., Anh, T.T., & Tri, T.V. (2014). U-Pb dating and tectonic implication of ophiolite and metabasite from the Song Ma Suture Zone, Northern Vietnam. American Journal of Science, 314(2), 649-678. doi: 10.2475/02.2014.07

Chen, C.T., Chan, Y.C., Lo, C.H., & Lu, C.Y. (2016). Growth of mica porphyroblasts under low-grade metamorphism - a Taiwanese case using in-situ 40Ar/39Ar laser microprobe dating. Journal of Structural Geology, 92, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2016.09.005

Lee, C.Y., Chen, M.L., Ditchfield, P., Lin, H.M., Lin, L.H., Lo, C.H., Pollard, M., Tsai, H.K., & Wang, P.L. (2016). Diet and subsistence mode of Neolithic Yuan-Shan people in Taiwan: Perspective from carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of bone collagen. Archaeological Research in Asia, 7, 18-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2016.03.002

Zhang, R.Y., Liou, J.G., & Lo, C.H. (2017). Raman spectra of polycrystalline microdiamond inclusions in zircons, and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism of a quartzofeldspathic rock from the Erzgebirge terrane, Germany. International Geological Review, 59(5-6), 779-792.

Lee, C.Y., Chen, M.L., Ditchfield, P., Pollard, A.M., Lin, L.H., Wang, P.L., Lin, H.M., Lo, C.H., & Tsai, P.Y. (2017). Dietary reconstruction of the Iron Age population at Fantzuyuan site, Taiwan, revealed by isotopic analysis on human and faunal bone collagen. Archaeological Research in Asia, 9, 34-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2017.01.002

Chen, C.T., Chan, Y. C., Lo, C.H., Malavieille, J., Lu, C. Y., Tang, J. T., & Lee, Y. H. (2018). Basal accretion, a major mechanism for mountain building in Taiwan revealed in rock thermal history. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 152, 80-90 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2017.11.030

Chen, C.T., Wu, C.Y., Lo, C.H., Chu, H.T., Yui, T.F. (2018). Dating paleo-seismic faulting in the Taiwan Mountain Belt. Terra Nova, 30(2), 146-151. https://doi.org/10.1111/ter.12319

Chiu, Y.P., Yeh, M.W., Wu, K.H., Lee, T.Y., Lo, C.H., Chung, S.L., & Lizuka, Y. (2018). Transition from extrusion to flow tectonism around the Eastern Himalaya syntaxis. GSA Bulletin, 130(9-10), 1675-1696, https://doi.org/10.1130/B31811.1

Tapsoba, B., Lo, C.-H., Wenmenga, U., Lizuka, Y., Chung, S.-L., Shellnutt, G. (2018) Chemical,Sr-Nd compositions and 40Ar/39Ar ages of NW-trending dolerite dikes, Burkina Faso: Evidence for a Mesoproterozoic magmatism in the West African Craton.  Geoscience Frontiers vol. 9, Issue 6, 1957-1980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2017.12.015

Hazad, F., Ghani, A., & Lo, C.H. (2019). Arc related dioritic-granodioritic magmatism from southeastern Peninsular Malaysia and its tectonic implication. Cretaceous Research, 95, 208-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2018.10.016

Wang, Y., Zhou, L.-y., Zwingmann, H., Lo, C.-H., Li, G.-w., and Hao, J.-h. (2020) 40Ar/39Ar dating of cataclastic K-feldspar: another approach to date brittle deformation.  Journal of Structural Geology vol. 131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2019.103948.

Pu, H.C., C.H. Lin,*, Y.C. Lai, M.H. Shih, L.C. Chang, H.F. Lee, P.T. Lee, G.T. Hong, Y.H. Li, W.Y. Chang and C.H. Lo (2020) Active Volcanism Revealed from a Seismicity Conduit in the Long-resting Tatun Volcano Group of Northern Taiwan.  Scientific Reports 10, Article number 6153, https://doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-63270-7.

Lo, Y.-C., Chen, C.-T., Lo, C.-H. and Chung, S.-L. (2020) Paired ophiolitic belts along plate suture in the active Taiwan mountain belt: the fate of the South China Sea in the subductioncollision processes. Terr. Atmos. Ocean. Sci. vol. 31, no. 4, 383-402. doi: 10.3319/TAO.2019.06.19.01.

Wang, Y., Zhou, L.-y., Zwingmann, H., Lo, C.-H., Li, G.-w., and Hao, J.-h. (2020) 40Ar/39Ar dating of cataclastic K-feldspar: another approach to date brittle deformation.  Journal of Structural Geology vol. 131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2019.103948.

Lo, C.-H., Xu, X., Chang, W.-Y., and Ando, M. (eds.) (2021) Earthquake Geology and Tectonophysics around Eastern Tibet and Taiwan, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. ISBN 978-981-15-6210-5. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-6210-5. 140pp.