Bari Hanafi

Assistant Professor
Structural Geology and Tectonics
Little Rock Geodynamics Laboratory (LRGL)

bhanafi@ualr.edu
ETAS 329L

To potential students:

If you are interested in rock deformation, curious about the geometry and mechanics of faults and folds, or want to learn more about the evolution of fracture networks and fault systems in various tectonic settings, please contact me, and let’s have a chat! I am a geologist specializing in structural geology and tectonics. In the Little Rock Geodynamics Lab, you can conduct field studies and/or geologic mapping, interpret geologic structures using geophysical data (e.g., seismic-reflection data), or run experiments in the scaled experimental modeling lab. The results of your research could potentially be applicable to various topics such as geologic hazard assessment, sedimentary basin evolution, geothermal, mineral, hydrogeologic, or petroleum systems.

I am always seeking undergraduate and graduate students interested in research in structural geology and tectonics. Feel free to stop by my office or email me to learn more about research opportunities.

Background

I am a structural geologist who is currently studying rift-basin evolution, deformation of intrasalt layers, and faults and folds in oblique deformation. My research integrates field data, borehole and seismic-reflection data, as well as scaled experimental models. I received a bachelor’s degree from Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Before joining UALR in 2024, I was an Assistant Teaching Professor at Rutgers, where I taught various undergraduate courses. I also have over five years of industry experience as a geologist with ExxonMobil Indonesia.

Courses

ERSC 1302 Physical Geology
ERSC 3340 Structural Geology (starting in Spring 2025)
ERSC 3320 Field Geology I (starting in Spring 2025)
ERSC 4320 Field Geology II (starting in Summer 2025)

Publications

Hanafi, B. R., Withjack, M.O., Durcanin, M., Schlische, R.W., 2022, The development of the eastern Orpheus rift basin, offshore eastern Canada: A case study of the interplay between rift-related faulting and salt deposition and flow. Marine & Petroleum Geology, special volume on “Regional geology in orogens and sedimentary basins: A tribute to Albert W. Bally,” v.139, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2022.105629.

Publications in preparation

Hanafi, B. R., Withjack, M. O., Schlische, R. W., in prep. Deformation of salt layers and interbedded impurities: Insights from scaled experimental models. To be submitted to Journal of Structural Geology.

Hanafi, B. R., Withjack, M. O., Schlische, R. W., Sinclair, I. K., in prep. Strain distribution and variation during highly oblique shortening. To be submitted to Journal of Structural Geology.