Research themes
Landscape evolution and earth surface processes
This research theme integrates analysis of various forms of topographic and bathymetric data with dating geomorphic features and analytical/numerical modelling to understand how climatic, tectonic, and sedimentary process control the evolution of topography both above and below sea-level.
Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy
Facies, seismic and sequence stratigraphic analyses of clastic and carbonate dominated successions utilizing outcrop, core, well logs and 3D seismic data. Research projects range from understanding sedimentary processes at the grain scale to basin-wide stratigraphic evolution.
Carbonate Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy
Carbonate rocks host over 50% of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves, and can also host significant volumes of economic mineral resources. They have a simple mineralogy, and yet they are highly heterogeneous on the pore (sub-millimetre) to flow unit (kilometre) scale. Our current research is focussed on how fluids within the burial environment generate and occlude porosity, and the petrophysical and flow properties of the resultant pore system.
Mudstones and Shale Gas Research
The mudstone and shale-gas research group is a cross faculty research group focusing on the characterization, analysis and modelling of mudstones as shale gas reservoirs, source rocks and seals from basin- to pore-scale. This includes regional sedimentology and basin evolution, diagenetic studies, rock mechanics and fracturing, high resolution tomographic imaging, fluid flow models and geomicrobiology.
Marine Geology and Geophysics
We are interested generally how sedimentary, oceanic, volcanic and tectonic processes are represented in deposits and topography of the ocean basins and their surrounding shallow seas. Projects include active sea-going field campaigns and involve quantitative analysis of newly collected data as well as legacy and industry geophysical and geological data.
Sedimentary geochemistry and diagenesis
Research focuses on diagenesis at the sediment surface and with deep burial and its three-dimensional variability. Projects address the relationships between sequence stratigraphy and diagenesis and on applications to reservoir quality prediction.
Basin structure and fault growth
Analysis of structural style and evolution of major basin-bounding and intra-basin faults and folds using field observations, 3D seismic data and numerical modelling to understand how structures initiate, grow, link and organise over time scales of 103 to 106 years.
Tectonics and sedimentation
Integration of sedimentology and structural analysis to understand the role of surface deformation, over timescale of 102-106 years, on preserved facies stacking patterns and stratal geometry. Projects range from basin-scale facies models to the sedimentary response to growth of individual tectonic structures.
Digital outcrop analogues and reservoir modelling
Applying state-of-the-art laser scanning, photogrammetry and GPS technologies to characterise geological exposures and surface topography, and application to geomorphology, sedimentology, structural geology, physical volcanology and reservoir modelling.
3D seismic
3D seismic datasets underpin research into structural settings, depositional environments and tectonic, sedimentary and climate-driven processes at regional and local scales. Seismic data is incorporated into broader projects including theoretical geophysical techniques, digital outcrop analogues and high resolution climate change.