Self funded opportunities
PhD
Ground-truthing SE Caribbean Plate evolution
Supervisors: Iain Neill and colleagues as appropriate to the problem being tackled
Bench fees
A bench fee of £10,000 is payable in 3 annual instalments. Students can start when they wish by discussion, though projects typically begin in October each year.
Anyone interested in a PhD using geodynamic modelling to test out different Caribbean Plate models should contact Iain Neill and Dr Antoniette Grima .
Aim
To ground truth models of the origin and evolution of the Caribbean Plate.
Rationale
Despite being one of Earth’s major tectonic plates, the origin and evolution of the Caribbean Plate remains contentious. Several plate tectonic models have been proposed over the last four decades, but no leading model is convincingly substantiated by evidence from geological and geophysical data from both the onshore and offshore.
Mesozoic oceanic lithosphere that would become the Caribbean Plate formed in the Eastern Pacific realm and was gradually subducted to the northeast beneath an inter-American Arc. Behind the arc, N and S America were spreading apart to form a proto-Caribbean Seaway. During the Cretaceous, inter-American subduction ceased and a new SW-dipping Antilles subduction zone established within the proto-Caribbean realm. This led to the Caribbean being inserted between the Americas, forming the modern Lesser Antilles Arc. However, when, and why the new Antilles subduction zone was established is highly debated.
The debate is important as the presence or absence of a shallow marine or land gateway between the Americas is critical for species transfer (Tong et al. 2019) and oceanic circulation (Haug and Tiedemann 1998), plus hazardous volcanoes in the modern Lesser Antilles may be spatially controlled by inherited sutures within the arc (Hicks et al. 2023).
The objective is to test published models of Caribbean Plate evolution. Models such as those by Pindell et al. (2012) or Hastie et al. (2021) dominate the literature. These state that SW-dipping Antilles subduction was initiated due to Early Cretaceous geodynamic changes in the inter-American region, or a Late Cretaceous collision between the inter-American Arc and a Caribbean oceanic plateau. Both models pose a range of geochemical, structural, and geochronological problems. An unheralded but novel idea is that the Antilles subduction zone developed because of an Early Cretaceous arc-arc collision event (Escuder-Viruete et al. 2013). It is argued that divergent double subduction beneath an allochthonous Pacific-derived arc and the inter-American Arc led to the collision and new Antilles subduction. The model is similar to that for the Molucca or Adriatic Seas today, but it has only been applied to the Dominican Republic. To become a settled theory for Caribbean Plate evolution, we need to test rocks further afield to establish if Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous arc rocks of the Eastern Caribbean formed on two separate arc systems of opposing polarity. Beyond the Dominican Republic, islands such as Tobago (Neill et al., 2012, 2013) and La Désirade (Guadeloupe, Neill et al., 2010) may contain fragments of the inter-American Arc and should be compared structurally, temporally, and geochemically to rocks which may belong to the Pacific Arc.
Taken from Escuder Viruete et al. (2013). From intra-oceanic subduction to arc accretion and arc-continent collision: Insights from the structural evolution of the Río San Juan metamorphic complex, northern Hispaniola. Journal of Structural Geology 46, 34-56.
Methodology
An MSc by Research student will analyse rocks from one location to test a specific hypothesis. A PhD student will work on a combination of linked work packages to build a wider picture. Two example MSc by Research projects are given below, but if you want to study another location, such as Tobago, Puerto Rico, etc., then contact me and we can discuss what’s possible. In all cases, students will learn about the wider structures and geophysical studies of the Caribbean region to draw conclusions about what models are most geologically reasonable, and the aim is to hire several students to tackle problems together.
Example project 1: the mantle source of the inter-American Arc (with Julie Prytulak in Durham)
The arc rocks of La Désirade Island, Guadeloupe, are the only exposure of Jurassic basement to the modern Lesser Antilles Arc, presumed to have been part of the NE-dipping inter-American subduction system. You will use Nd-Hf isotopes to constrain the inter-American mantle source and compare it to other locations in the Eastern Caribbean. If the inter-American mantle source is compositionally distinct to a Pacific mantle source, as we suspect, that finding substantiates that two subduction systems of opposing polarity were present. This project involves existing samples with elemental geochemistry (Neill et al., 2010) and unpublished robust Hf isotope data from Durham University which require further Hf and Nd isotope analyses.
Example project 2: magmatism and deformation of the inter-American Arc on La Désirade (with Mélody Philippon, University of Montpellier in Guadeloupe and Douwe van Hinsbergen in Utrecht)
Inter-American arc rocks on the island are well-dated by fossil and U-Pb zircon evidence, but a suite of mafic to intermediate dykes cut by younger shear zones are not. Whether these rocks relate to the inter-American arc or establishment of the new Antilles subduction zone is not known. Samples due to be collected from La Désirade will be used to date the mafic to intermediate dykes and shear zones using a combination of methods as appropriate, e.g., U-Pb on zircon and calcite. There should be an opportunity for micro-structural analysis to further determine the origin of shearing on the island.
What we’re looking for and what you gain
We are looking for a strong geologist with very sound solid earth knowledge and communicative ability. You’ll have interests in plate tectonics, subduction zones, and be keen to do laboratory-based geochemistry or geochronology. You’ll receive training in analytical procedures and will develop your data management, problem solving, geological thinking, and written and spoken communication. The projects are ripe for publication and if you are keen on geological survey-style jobs, a PhD, or a postdoc in the solid Earth sciences, or simply are interested in or connected to the Caribbean region, then this could work well for you.
References
Quantifying Climatic and Tectonic Controls on the Cenozoic Evolution of the Greater Caucasus
Supervisors: Dr Paul Eizenhöfer
Background and outline
The Greater Caucasus is Europe’s largest mountain belt, and yet, in marked contrast to the Alps, fundamental issues remain about the role of tectonic and climatic processes on its Cenozoic orogeny. In particular, the timing, style and rate of rock uplift and exhumation potentially provide crucial information for reconstructing the geodynamic evolution of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, but this information remains unresolved for this region. Modern analytical and numerical techniques based on low-temperature thermochronometer data, have only been sparsely applied in the Greater Caucasus region despite dense data coverage elsewhere along the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt.
Mt Elbrus in the Greater Caucasus
This PhD project aims to provide new insights into the exhumation history of the Greater Caucasus utilizing (i) analysis of new and existing thermochronometer data along structural cross sections and (ii) state-of-the-art thermo-kinematic and erosion numerical modelling to ascertain the role of Cenozoic tectonics on its present-day topography and past exhumation history. Coupling of data from multiple thermochronometer systems with structural and thermo-kinematic models along selected strike-perpendicular transects will provide new constraints on the spatial and temporal continuity of tectonic processes during the lithospheric evolution of the Greater Caucasus. The approach will allow the estimation of the role of Cenozoic climatic drivers on the evolution of this mountain belt, eg., evaluating the discrepancy of long-term climatic gradients contrasting the present-day topographic homogeneity from W-to-E.
Objectives
- Structural-kinematic reconstruction of the Greater Caucasus.
Thermo-kinematic modelling along selected transects.
Methodology and Timeframe
(Year 1-2) The PhD student will reconstruct the structural-kinematic as well as foreland basin evolution of the Greater Caucasus along selected orogen-scale transects in MOVE™ employing a balanced cross section approach including the modelling of isostatic responses.
(Year 2-3) The orogen-wide distribution of low-temperature thermochronology data will be predicted through numerical thermo-kinematic models along the selected transects using these structural-kinematic solutions. This approach will establish a novel exhumation history of the Greater Caucasus validated by observed low-temperature thermochronology data.
(Year 3.5) Results will be integrated, and PhD thesis completed.
Desired skills/knowledge background of the applicant
The project is suitable for a graduate with a good honours’ degree in Geology, Earth Science, or Geophysics, with an interest in developing expertise in computational modelling and who demonstrated experience relevant to the project outline above (e.g., a dissertation, specific training in a relevant skill, or other project experience). Basic programming skills such as MATLAB or Python would be very helpful.
Career prospects
The PhD student will be trained by a leading expert of geomorphology and tectonics to constrain the formation of small mountain ranges. This training involves analyses of structural and thermochronological data to reconstruct the mid- to long-term (kyr to Myr) evolution of the Greater Caucasus. The student will be exposed to high-level programming environments (Python, MATLAB, C++, Fortran). Furthermore, the student will apply and develop process-based numerical models in a high-performance cluster (HPC) environment. This also implies the statistical evaluation of model runs.
The training also constitutes transferable skills: project management, scientific writing, grant acquisition, and project reporting. These make the student highly competitive to a career in computationally driven Earth System science. The student will be competitive in the fields of environmental consulting, resource security, and software development.
Relict Landscapes as Archives of Past Climatic and Tectonic Conditions
Supervisors: Dr Paul Eizenhöfer and and Dr Martin Hurst. External collaborators: Dr Fiona Clubb (University of Durham) and Professor Mark Allen (University of Durham)
Aim
- Implementation of landscape evolution models to establish systematics that promote the emergence of relict landscapes.
- Automated extraction and interpretation of geomorphological metrics across climatically and tectonically distinct regions to establish a global database of relict landscapes.
- Model inversions to identify the range of climatic and tectonic parameters that are archived within the relict landscapes.
Background and outline
‘Relict’ landscapes are low-relief, high elevation surfaces that are often interpreted as an archive of previously stable tectonic and/or climatic conditions. These landscapes are commonly recognised in mountain ranges that have been interpreted to be undergoing late-Cenozoic acceleration in tectonic uplift and a rejuvenation by an erosional response (e.g., Clark et al., 2006). Relict topography (and the information it contains about past conditions) will eventually be lost through such erosion (e.g., Whittaker & Boulton, 2012).
These remnants of Earth’s geologic past have been identified across various landscapes on Earth. Several alternative mechanisms have been proposed for their formation including emerging from dynamic reorganisation of drainage networks through divide migration and drainage capture (Yang et al., 2015; Whipple et al., 2017), or due to lateral advection of uplifted topography (Eizenhöfer et al 2019). Yet the mechanisms of formation from the nature of the topography remains unclear. Building on these recent studies, the primary goals of this project are: (i) identifying the processes that can lead to low relief upland; and (ii) deciphering their geomorphological record of past tectonic and climatic conditions across the globe. These goals will be achieved through state-of-the-art, process-based numerical models of landscape evolution.
Understanding the mechanisms to create and preserve such relict landscapes and being able to reconstruct their geomorphological archive of Earth’s past is crucial to understand the interaction of physical processes within the Earth System and to unlock feedbacks between tectonics, climate, and topography. Such knowledge will help to understand spatial landscape responses and response times to changes due to external forcings, improving efforts in earthquake risk assessments and mitigating the consequences of climate change.
Desired skills/knowledge background of the applicant
The project is suitable for a graduate with a good honours degree in Geology, Earth Science, or Geophysics, with an interest in developing expertise in computational modelling.
Career prospects
The PhD student will be trained by leading experts of geomorphology and tectonics to achieve a holistic understanding of System Earth. This training involves analyses of remote sensing data, data in the fields of climate and tectonics to reconstruct the mid- to long-term (kyr to Myr) evolution of landscapes. The student will be exposed to high-level programming environments (Python, MATLAB, C++, Fortran). Furthermore, the student will apply and develop process-based numerical models in a high-performance cluster (HPC) environment. This also implies the statistical evaluation of model runs and big data analysis.
The training also constitutes transferable skills: project management, scientific writing, grant acquisition, and project reporting. These make the student highly competitive to a career in computationally driven Earth System science. The student will be able to analyse and manipulate large data sets, apply, and evolve process-based numerical models, make data-driven model predictions towards machine learning capabilities. The student will be competitive in the fields of environmental consulting, hazard research, land management and software development.
References
Investigating plume-lithosphere-surface process interactions across craton margins
Supervisors: Dr Antoniette Greta Grima, Dr Paul Eizenhöfer, Dr Mark Wildman, Dr Cristina Persano.
Interested applicants should contact: [email protected]
Aim
This project will investigate the role that deep mantle processes have played in controlling intraplate crustal deformation and the creation of surface topography. Specifically, this project will explore the effect of buoyant mantle plumes beneath a heterogeneously thick continental lithosphere and the extent to which deformation and surface uplift becomes focussed at the boundary between thick cratons and the younger surrounding continental lithosphere. Using the South A`frican continental plateau as a case study, the project will also constrain how surface processes respond to the interaction between deep mantle upwellings and continental heterogeneities, to produce the present-day topography. In this way, we will test the hypothesis that a mid-Cretaceous mantle plume drove continental deformation, uplift, and surface evolution at the southwest margin of the Kaapvaal craton.
Rationale
Old cratonic regions comprise over 60% of the continental surface and are generally considered to be tectonically stable features over potentially billions of years1. However, the reason for long-term cratonic stability is debated with the potential for mantle plumes to erode cratonic keels, produce vertical motions of the lithosphere and focus deformation at lithospheric weak zones2. This is particularly pertinent to the African plate whose long-term stability has meant a long-standing relationship with deep mantle plumes and the African Large Low-Shear Velocity Province (LLSVP) since the breakup of Pangea3. Tomographic models suggest that thermochemical mantle plumes rising from the edges of the LLSVPs or the surrounding core-mantle boundary region (CMB) can undergo thinning, splitting and deflection as they transition from the lower to the upper mantle4,5. As these plumes reach the continental lithosphere they can dynamically support excess elevation on the continental lithosphere6. However, the interaction between the plume and the overlying continental lithosphere is still unclear. Do mantle plumes split further into smaller and thinner branches as they reach the top of the mantle? And how does the plume morphology affect the topographic signal at the surface of the continental plate?
nderstanding the interaction between mantle plumes and continental lithosphere is, therefore, critical in understanding the long-term evolution of topography in intraplate settings and the formation and mobilisation of critical mineral deposits1,2. The South African case is intriguing case study where the long-term stability over the LLSVP and absence of subduction processes affecting the African plate allows us to isolate the role of mantle plume – lithosphere interactions in controlling how and when the topography of the highly elevated, low-relief, interior plateau formed. The apatite thermochronological dataset across SW Africa suggests a more complex history than that predicted by simple conceptual models of high-elevation passive margin evolution following the break-up of South America and Africa in the Early Cretaceous3. Mantle-plume driven uplift during the middle to Late Cretaceous has been suggested as a mechanism to drive regional erosion across the South African plateau and explain the timing of peaks offshore sediment volumes7. However, the data implies more local variation in the patterns of erosion and infers a thickness of several kilometres of crust was eroded in the mid-Cretaceous from the off-craton region of the continental plateau while over the Kaapvaal craton region, the magnitude of erosion has been low since the Palaeozoic8,9.
The project will create new insights into the interplay of mantle, tectonic and surface processes in forming the South African topography, with implications for the stability of craton and craton margins globally.
Methods
The project will apply a two-phase numerical modelling approach (year 1 and 2). The first phase will evaluate the applicability of different scenarios for the interaction of buoyant mantle upwellings with the overlying continental lithosphere in South Africa. The model set-up emulating its cratonic evolution will be comprised of a thick cratonic block and thinner surrounding lithosphere, and make inferences on the timing, location, and magnitude of surface uplift produced during these scenarios at large-scale (>1000 km). During this first phase the goal is to understand how plume properties (e.g., morphology, temperature, density, viscosity, and geochemistry) can influence the degree of plume branching or splitting. These models will be constrained by seismic tomography models and geochemical signatures and will provide an insight into the plume-continental lithosphere relationship along South Africa.
The next step is to understand the contributions of continental heterogeneity on the plume dynamics. This step will explore how rheological and geometry variations in continental and cratonic keel properties can inform the plume’s contribution to continental uplift and tilting at the surface. Geodynamic modelling will provide information on the evolution of the mantle and lithosphere thermal field, strain rates and stress values of the overriding plate, and the timing and rate of uplift.
The second phase (years 2 and 3) will incorporate these predictions into (i) surface process models, and (ii) thermal models of the crust to simulate the evolution of exhumation and topography linked to deep mantle processes. The high-resolution (<10 km) integrated surface process and thermal model will predict spatial patterns of thermochronological data, which can be compared to the existing and extensive South African thermochronological dataset.
Knowledge background of the student
The project is suitable for a graduate with a good honours degree in Geology, Earth Science, or Geophysics, with an interest in developing expertise in computational modelling.
Career prospects
This project will equip the student with skills in geodynamics, deep mantle processes, quantitative geomorphology, geochronology, and numerical modelling. This will equip the student with a diverse range of geoscientific knowledge that could be applied to the exploration of natural resources and environmental and hazard management, as well as transferable technical skills, such as familiarity with a variety of code environments (i.e., C++, Python, Fortran) and performing high-performance cluster computing, which could be applied in other scientific fields in academia and industry.
References
Tracking the evolution of C-complex asteroids using carbonates
Supervisor: Prof Martin Lee , Dr Luke Daly , Dr John MacDonald ([email protected] )
Aim
This project will develop a new and detailed understanding of the evolution of C-complex asteroids through the analysis of carbonate minerals using state of the art geochemical and mineralogical techniques. Specifically, the project will use Ca- Mg- and Fe-rich carbonates in the CI and CM carbonaceous chondrite meteorites (calcite, dolomite, siderite, magnesite) to track the evolution of the temperature, and chemical and isotopic composition of pore fluids during the first few million years of solar system history. Results will be highly applicable to interpreting results from ongoing missions to the asteroids Bennu and Ryugu.
Rationale
Understanding the evolution of C-type asteroids is important as they are likely to be a significant contributor to the volatile budget of the Earth. Soon after their accretion within the protoplanetary disk, C-complex asteroids were heated sufficiently to melt water ice (Fujiya et al., 2012). Interaction of this water with co-accreted minerals and glasses produced a suite of secondary minerals including phyllosilicates, sulphides and carbonates. Although they are a volumetrically minor component, the carbonates can provide detailed information on the nature and evolution of the parent body fluids, including their chemical composition, temperature, pH and Eh, which can itself reveal the length scale and longevity of the aqueous system (Guo and Eiler 2007; Lee et al., 2014). In addition to conventional analytical tools, this project proposes to use the evolving technique of atom probe tomography (APT), which has recently been shown to yield unique insights into the nanoscale chemical and isotopic compositions of carbonate minerals in the carbonaceous chondrite meteorites (Daly et al., 2018).
Methods
The meteorite samples will be studied using conventional scanning electron microscopy techniques to locate, petrographically characterise and chemically analyse the carbonates. Data on their carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions will be available from work ongoing at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, and new analyses for the project using nanoSIMS. APT will be undertaken in the UK (Oxford University), or at partner organisations in Australia (Sydney and Curtin universities).
Knowledge background of the student
The project is suitable for a graduate with a good honours degree in Geology or Earth Science with an interest in Planetary Science.
Career prospects
This project will equip the student with skills in planetary science, mineralogy and geochemistry, which could lead to employment in areas such as resource exploration, environmental management and space science.
References
- Daly, L. et al. (2018) Atom probe tomography of nanoscale structures in carbonates from the Queen Elizabeth Range (QUE) 93005 CM2 carbonaceous chondrite: implications for the evolution of parent body fluids. 81st Annual Meeting of The Meteoritical Society (LPI Contrib. No. 2067),
abstract #6239. - Fujiya W., Sugiura N., Hotta H., Ichimura K., and Sano Y. 2012. Evidence for the late formation of hydrous asteroids from young meteoritic carbonates. Nature Communications 3, 627.
- Guo W. and Eiler J. M. 2007. Temperatures of aqueous alteration and evidence for methane generation on the parent bodies of the CM chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 71, 5565–5575.
- Lee M. R., Lindgren P. and Sofe M. R. (2014) Aragonite, breunnerite, calcite and dolomite in the CM carbonaceous chondrites: high fidelity recorders of progressive
Contact the principal supervisor with any questions: [email protected]
MSc by Research
AccOrD: Accretionary Orogenesis Driving the Preservation of Continental Interiors over Geologic Time (MSc by Research)
Supervisors: Paul R. Eizenhöfer , Dr Iain Neill
Background and outline
Most present-day continents such as the Americas, Africa or Eurasia contain ancient crust that was formed in Mesoarchean to Palaeoproterozoic times (<3.2 billion years ago). In the literature, these tectonic units are commonly known as cratons.
In general, they are surrounded by younger sedimentary platforms, continental basins, geologically younger mountain belts and regions of crustal extensions. Despite their involvement in multiple supercontinent cycles and undergoing various tectonic processes such as oceanic subduction, continental collision, magmatism and rifting events along their margins and interiors over billions of years, cratons have proven remarkably persistent over geologic time scales. Understanding their evolution provides not only insights into the early Earth since the Mesoarchean but also can be extrapolated to understand planetary crustal evolution in our Solar System and elsewhere. However, the factors that facilitate the preservation of continental interiors and cratons on Earth are still a matter of debate (e.g., Pearson et al., 2021).
Similarly, the tectonic mechanisms that nurture continental and cratonic destruction remain largely unresolved. The project will test the hypothesis, if oceanic subduction is accompanied by sustained accretionary processes, then any continental interior, such as cratonic cores, will be more likely preserved while more destructive tectonic processes shift to outwards positions. To test this hypothesis, this study will conduct a targeted sedimentary provenance analysis along the northern margin of the North China Craton. Seventeen bedrock samples of Palaeozoic sedimentary strata have been collected along the northern margin of the North China Craton.
Their depositional ages range from the Ordovician to Permian. These samples will be subjected to in-situ zircon U-Pb, Hf and O analyses as well as whole-rock geochemical analyses to identify their sedimentary provenance, and, hence, the nature of the Palaeozoic subduction environment along the craton margin.
Simplified, present-day tectonic configuration including cratonic cores and Phanerozoic orogens of central and east Asia (from Eizenhöfer et al., 2015).
Desired skills/knowledge background of the applicant:
Applicants can come from geology, environmental geoscience, or physical geography disciplines as long as they have demonstrated experience relevant to the preferred topic from the project outline above (e.g., an undergraduate dissertation, specific training in a relevant skill, or other project experience). GIS, Google Earth, and basic programming skills such as MATLAB or Python would be very helpful.
Career prospects:
The student will develop transferable skills such as work and communication in an international research group, data and project management. These skills make the student highly competitive to a career in data-driven Earth System science. The student will be highly employable in the fields of environmental consulting, hazard research, and land management. The project has the potential to be developed towards a PhD study.
Bench fees: £3750
Ground-truthing SE Caribbean Plate evolution
Supervisors: Iain Neill and colleagues as appropriate to the problem being tackled
Bench fees
Bench fees are £2500 for a self-funded student & £3500 for a government-funded student. Students can start when they wish by discussion, though projects typically begin in October each year.
Aim
To ground truth models of the origin and evolution of the Caribbean Plate.
Rationale
Despite being one of Earth’s major tectonic plates, the origin and evolution of the Caribbean Plate remains contentious. Several plate tectonic models have been proposed over the last four decades, but no leading model is convincingly substantiated by evidence from geological and geophysical data from both the onshore and offshore.
Mesozoic oceanic lithosphere that would become the Caribbean Plate formed in the Eastern Pacific realm and was gradually subducted to the northeast beneath an inter-American Arc. Behind the arc, N and S America were spreading apart to form a proto-Caribbean Seaway. During the Cretaceous, inter-American subduction ceased and a new SW-dipping Antilles subduction zone established within the proto-Caribbean realm. This led to the Caribbean being inserted between the Americas, forming the modern Lesser Antilles Arc. However, when, and why the new Antilles subduction zone was established is highly debated.
The debate is important as the presence or absence of a shallow marine or land gateway between the Americas is critical for species transfer (Tong et al. 2019) and oceanic circulation (Haug and Tiedemann 1998), plus hazardous volcanoes in the modern Lesser Antilles may be spatially controlled by inherited sutures within the arc (Hicks et al. 2023).
The objective is to test published models of Caribbean Plate evolution. Models such as those by Pindell et al. (2012) or Hastie et al. (2021) dominate the literature. These state that SW-dipping Antilles subduction was initiated due to Early Cretaceous geodynamic changes in the inter-American region, or a Late Cretaceous collision between the inter-American Arc and a Caribbean oceanic plateau. Both models pose a range of geochemical, structural, and geochronological problems. An unheralded but novel idea is that the Antilles subduction zone developed because of an Early Cretaceous arc-arc collision event (Escuder-Viruete et al. 2013). It is argued that divergent double subduction beneath an allochthonous Pacific-derived arc and the inter-American Arc led to the collision and new Antilles subduction. The model is similar to that for the Molucca or Adriatic Seas today, but it has only been applied to the Dominican Republic. To become a settled theory for Caribbean Plate evolution, we need to test rocks further afield to establish if Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous arc rocks of the Eastern Caribbean formed on two separate arc systems of opposing polarity. Beyond the Dominican Republic, islands such as Tobago (Neill et al., 2012, 2013) and La Désirade (Guadeloupe, Neill et al., 2010) may contain fragments of the inter-American Arc and should be compared structurally, temporally, and geochemically to rocks which may belong to the Pacific Arc.
Insights from the structural evolution of the Río San Juan metamorphic complex, northern Hispaniola. Journal of Structural Geology 46, 34-56
Methodology
An MSc by Research student will analyse rocks from one location to test a specific hypothesis. A PhD student will work on a combination of linked work packages to build a wider picture. Two example MSc by Research projects are given below, but if you want to study another location, such as Tobago, Puerto Rico, etc., then contact me and we can discuss what’s possible. In all cases, students will learn about the wider structures and geophysical studies of the Caribbean region to draw conclusions about what models are most geologically reasonable, and the aim is to hire several students to tackle problems together.
Example project 1: the mantle source of the inter-American Arc (with Julie Prytulak in Durham)
The arc rocks of La Désirade Island, Guadeloupe, are the only exposure of Jurassic basement to the modern Lesser Antilles Arc, presumed to have been part of the NE-dipping inter-American subduction system. You will use Nd-Hf isotopes to constrain the inter-American mantle source and compare it to other locations in the Eastern Caribbean. If the inter-American mantle source is compositionally distinct to a Pacific mantle source, as we suspect, that finding substantiates that two subduction systems of opposing polarity were present. This project involves existing samples with elemental geochemistry (Neill et al., 2010) and unpublished robust Hf isotope data from Durham University which require further Hf and Nd isotope analyses.
Example project 2: magmatism and deformation of the inter-American Arc on La Désirade (with Mélody Philippon, University of Montpellier in Guadeloupe and Douwe van Hinsbergen in Utrecht)
Inter-American arc rocks on the island are well-dated by fossil and U-Pb zircon evidence, but a suite of mafic to intermediate dykes cut by younger shear zones are not. Whether these rocks relate to the inter-American arc or establishment of the new Antilles subduction zone is not known. Samples due to be collected from La Désirade will be used to date the mafic to intermediate dykes and shear zones using a combination of methods as appropriate, e.g., U-Pb on zircon and calcite. There should be an opportunity for micro-structural analysis to further determine the origin of shearing on the island.
What we’re looking for and what you gain
We are looking for a strong geologist with very sound solid earth knowledge and communicative ability. You’ll have interests in plate tectonics, subduction zones, and be keen to do laboratory-based geochemistry or geochronology. You’ll receive training in analytical procedures and will develop your data management, problem solving, geological thinking, and written and spoken communication. The projects are ripe for publication and if you are keen on geological survey-style jobs, a PhD, or a postdoc in the solid Earth sciences, or simply are interested in or connected to the Caribbean region, then this could work well for you.
References
Evolution of Fluvial Systems – Nature vs. Model
Supervisors: Dr Amanda Owen, Dr Paul Eizenhöfer
Background and outline
Fluvial systems are a primary driver of long-term (Myr) landscape evolution. Their geomorphology, erosional features and sedimentary products are accessible archives to decipher climatic and tectonics conditions that shaped such landscapes (Bishop, 2007). Numerical landscapes evolution models (Tucker & Hancock, 2010) are often employed to test hypotheses that are concerned with climate/tectonic interaction over geologic time scales. These models can simulate a variety of surface processes such as hillslope diffusion and fluvial erosion. Based on idealised theoretical concepts of erosion and deposition (e.g., Davy & Lague), the predicted landscapes often appear to be strikingly similar to natural landscapes (e.g., Eizenhöfer et al., 2019).
However, the question remains unanswered at what temporal and spatial scales these models reflect the natural world. How does the natural complexity of a fluvial system from source to sink compare to that of modelled ones? This project aims to quantify modelled and natural fluvial systems and identify caveats in applying numerical landscape evolution models to the natural world. The student will employ numerical landscape evolution models to simulate fluvial systems, and then compare geomorphological and sedimentological metrics from both, predicted and a range of natural fluvial systems worldwide
Desired skills/knowledge background of the applicant
Basic programming skills such as in MATLAB or Python (not essential).
Career prospects
The student will develop transferable skills such as work and communication in an international research group and project management. These skills make the student highly competitive to a career in data-driven, computational Earth System science. The student will be highly employable in the fields of environmental consulting, hazard research, and land management.
Project can be expanded to pursue a PhD degree.
References
Cement Waste Carbonation for Carbon Capture (Dr John MacDonald)
Supervisor: ([email protected] )
Aim
This project will investigate the natural capture of carbon dioxide by a legacy cement waste heap.
Rationale of the project
Cement manufacture involves smelting raw materials (predominantly limestone and clay) in a furnace at ~2000 °C which produces gravel- to cobble-sized cement clinker, which is subsequently ground up to become cement powder. Some clinker may be discarded for quality-control reasons and has historically been dumped in heaps around cement works. The clinker is composed of highly reactive minerals (this is what gives cement its desired properties), which are far from equilibrium in the natural environment and, similar to other industrial smelting products like steel slag, react with atmospheric CO2 to precipitate calcium carbonate (calcite). This reaction, which draws down atmospheric CO2 , merits further investigation as it may present an opportunity to limit or reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations which are increasing global temperatures. In order to address the feasibility of this, various questions need to be addressed such as how much CO2 could waste cement clinker sequester, and what are the mechanics of the calcite precipitation.
Methods
Samples of cement clinker have been collected from a former cement works near Wishaw in Scotland. A small cliff section through a bank of partially ground discarded clinker shows irregular layering and a range of textures. Photography and logging of this cliff will provide context to subsequent petrographic and XRD analysis to determine the mineralogy. µCT analysis will be conducted on samples to determine the spatial distribution and volume of calcite which has precipitated on the clinker.
Knowledge background of the student
The student should have a geoscience or chemistry background with a strong interest in climate change and its mitigation. Laboratory experience is desirable and a willingness to learn new techniques in a laboratory environment is vital. A competent ability in scientific writing, gained through an undergraduate mapping or research project, is expected.
Career prospects
This MSc by Research project will give the student experience in advanced SEM techniques and familiarity with industrial residues and the opportunities they present. These skills will equip them for further research through a PhD or a career in a discipline relevant to climate change or environmental management.
Figure 1. Section through a waste cement deposit (left) and a close-up of calcite precipitated on the cement clinker (right).
Interested applicants should contact Dr. John MacDonald at: [email protected]
Evolution of the western Carboniferous Midland Valley Basin, Scotland (Dr Cristina Persano)
Supervisors: Dr Cristina Persano , Dr Amanda Owen , Dr Iain Neill
Project aim:
The aim of this project is to quantitatively reconstruct the source of Carboniferous sediments in the western portion of the Midland Valley and constrain the basin’s thermal evolution since its deposition. Data from this area will be integrated into a wider project based at the University of Glasgow to better understand the Carboniferous Midland Valley and its potential as an unconventional resource basin, including oil and geothermal energy.
Project rationale:
To date, the Carboniferous of the Midland Valley of Scotland has received considerably less attention than its Devonian counterpart. Carboniferous sedimentation and associated volcanism occurred in response to crustal extension, and the nature and source of sedimentary materials represents a delicate balance between tectonic processes operating both locally and across NW Europe, and sea level change. The Midland Valley has provided important sources of coal, aggregate and limestone which fuelled Scotland’s industrial revolution, and is today the source of much interest for low-enthalpy geoenergy resources close to our main towns and cities (eg.Potential for deep geothermal energy in Scotland ).
Although a stratigraphic framework is in place, detailed sedimentological and geochronological data is generally lacking due to urbanisation and a lack of outcrops being present in the central portion of the Midland Valley leading to gaps in knowledge. However, access to unique core from drilling associated with the Dalmarnock UK Geoenergy Observatories programme will shed light onto this economically significant basin through new geochronological and sedimentological studies.
In this project, quantified facies mapping techniques, zircon U-Pb dating and apatite fission track analyses will help understand fundamental scientific questions of the Scottish Carboniferous: whether a dominantly axial or transverse sediment routing system was present, the key source areas for sediment supply, and the post-depositional thermal history. Our group have already commenced work on the eastern Midland Valley, but for the first time we have an opportunity to continue this work in the western part of the basin. All aspects of these questions are critically important for this basin due to its economic significance as it is currently being explored to assess its viability as a geothermal resource. The approaches taken within this study will not only serve to answer questions specific to this basin but also serve as a methodological approach to resource (i.e. coal, shale gas, geothermal) identification, reservoir connectivity, and prediction of the best targets for exploitation in other under-utilized basins across the world.
Methods
The work is organized into two parts which interact and feedback on each other. The rock core will be fully logged by the student, its sedimentary characteristics and structures will then be used to quantitatively characterise facies to generate
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