Dave Moecher's research interests span a wide range of topics, including petrology (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary), high temperature geochemistry (petrologic thermodynamics and phase equilibria; stable and radiogenic isotopes) and tectonics (evolution of the Appalachian and Grenville orogens; effect of deformation on mineral chemistry). Moecher teaches undergraduate courses in field methods, mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, geology field camp, and regional field trips (New England, Canada), and graduate courses in isotope geochemistry and petrotectonics. He is the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

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Moecher, D.P., Samson, S.D., 2006. Differential zircon fertility of source terranes and natural bias in the detrital zircon record: implications for sedimentary provenance analysis. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 247, 252-266.

Moecher, D.P., Massey, M.A., Tracy, R.J., 2005. Timing and Pattern of Metamorphism in the Western and Central Blue Ridge, TN and NC: Status and Outstanding Problems. In, Hatcher, R.D., Jr., Merschat, A.J., (eds.) Blue Ridge Geology Geotraverse East of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Western North Carolina: North Carolina Geological Survey, Carolina Geological Society Field Trip Guidebook, 2005 Annual Meeting, p. 57-66.

Massey, M.A., Moecher, D.P., 2005. Metamorphic, structural, and fabric evolution of a segment of the Eastern Blue Ridge-Western Blue Ridge boundary in central Western North Carolina.  Tectonics, in press.

Berg, C.A., Moecher, D.P., 2005. Apparent oxygen isotope equilibrium during progressive foliation development and porphyroblast growth in metapelites: implications for stable isotope and conventional thermometry. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 23, 471-487.

Moecher, D.P., Sharp, Z.D., 2004, Stable isotope and chemical systematics of pseudotachylyte and wall rock, Homestake Shear Zone, CO, USA: Meteoric fluid or rock-buffered conditions during coseismic fusion. Journal of Geophysical Research, 109, B12.

Moecher, D.P., Brearley, A.J., 2004. Mineralogy and petrology of a mullite-bearing pseudotachylyte: constraints on the temperature of coseismic frictional fusion. American Mineralogist, 89, 1485-1496.

Moecher, D.P., Samson, S.D., Miller, C.F., 2004. Precise Time and Conditions of Peak Taconian Granulite Facies Metamorphism in the Southern Appalachian Orogen, U.S.A., with Implications for Zircon Behavior During Crustal Melting Events. Journal of Geology, 112, 289-304.

Haynes, E.A., Moecher, D.P., Spicuzza, M.J., 2003. Oxygen isotope composition of carbonates, silicates, and oxides in carbonatites: Constraints on crystallization temperatures of carbonatite magmas. Chemical Geology 193, 43-57.