Annual Conference 8 June 2022
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
#DUESC2022
A Welcome from Head of Department, Mark Allen
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A Brief History of Earth Sciences at Durham University
3
Notable Highlights of the Past Year
4
Conference Awards
5
Industry Exhibition
6
A Message from the Organisers
8
Timetable
9
Research Project talk abstracts
12
Poster Index
27
Poster Abstracts
30
Lightning Talks
43
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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A Welcome from Head of Department, Mark Allen It is a great pleasure to write an introduction and welcome to the Department Conference for 2022. After a hard couple of years because of Covid, the return of the face-to-face conference is another indication that the Department is returning to normal life – and we can now all appreciate these normal things for how important they are. “Normal” does not mean something is not excellent, and the Department Conference is both a fixture and a highlight of the calendar. I thank all the organising committee for the hard work they have put in to organise this event. It’s an exciting programme, with 4th year research projects, research posters, lightning talks, photo competitions… …and hopefully a great time to talk to staff and students in real life, and not over Zoom. All the best, Mark
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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A Brief History of Earth Sciences at Durham University Aspects of the Geological Sciences have been taught at Durham University since its founding, but it was not until 1924 that the Geology Department was created, with Dr (later Professor) Arthur Holmes appointed as its head. Holmes developed a strong department, which produced a succession of distinguished professional geologists. Holmes left the department in 1943, shortly before the publication of his groundbreaking textbook ‘Principles of Physical Geology’. Prof. Lawrence Wager was appointed Holmes’ successor, and oversaw growth of the department, recruiting Dr David Vincent (Geochemistry) and Dr Fred Stewart (Petrology), both of whom were later elected FRS. The department in its modern form began with the appointment of Prof. Kingsley Dunham FRS as Head in 1950. Dunham brought huge energy and vision to the role, overseeing a dramatic expansion in staff numbers. The Rookhope Borehole Project was perhaps the stand-out scientific achievement of this period, and marked the rise of Geophysics in the department, led by Prof. Martin Bott FRS. Prof. Malcolm Brown FRS arrived in 1967, and shared HoD duties with Prof. Bott for the next twelve years; petrological, mineralogical and geochemical analysis of moon rocks, returned by the Apollo missions, was a highlight of this period, and laid the foundations for the department’s pre-eminent status as a centre for Geochemistry. In 2003, we became the Department of Earth Sciences, and moved to our current home – the Arthur Holmes Building – which includes state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and purpose-built teaching rooms. Recent history has seen the department return to normal after the pandemic. Andy Aplin stepped down in July 31st 2021 as Head of Department, after four years in the role. As well as all the normal aspects of the job, Andy led the Department through the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring its smooth operation in a strange new virtual world, and back again. The department now comprises 31 academic staff, 31 research staff, 75 PhD students and around 270 undergraduates, and continues to be known internationally as one of the top-rated Earth Science departments in the country.
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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Notable Highlights of the Past Year Congratulations to the following members of our department who have successful won awards or grants over the past year.
Mohammad Daud Hamidi UNESCO Silk Roads Youth Research Grant Bob Holdsworth Named as Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellow Fabian Wadsworth William Smith Fund Fabian Wadsworth EGU Arne Richter Award
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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Conference Awards Best Research Project Talk: £75 Amazon voucher. Poster Presentations: £75 Amazon voucher. • Best Undergraduate poster • Best Postgraduate poster Lightning Talks: £25 Amazon voucher. • Best slide • Most entertaining • Best overall entry Photo competition winner: £25 Amazon voucher for the winner. Photo competition winner: £10 Amazon voucher per person in the winning team. Awards will be presented at the conference closing ceremony in TR1/2, including the Excellence in Demonstrating award and the L4 student who will be entered into the faculty wide Rising Stars competition make sure you’re there!
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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Industry Exhibition There will be careers presentations by the companies listed below. Please come along from 0930 to find out more about their work and how it could be relevant to your future career.
BP: A British multinational oil and gas company headquartered in London, England. It is one of the world’s seven oil and gas ”supermajors”. bp directly employ 15,780 people and spend £7.1 billion with UK companies, supporting over 90,100 jobs in total – that’s one in every 364 jobs in the UK.
Critical Minerals Association The CMA provide a unique platform for companies and individuals to come together and share key insights with the UK, ensuring a robust supply chain to deliver Britain’s Industrial Strategy and meet the critical mineral needs of our National Economy.
Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental: Dunelm have 50 years’ experience as leaders in the field of ground investigation, providing geotechnical, geoenvironmental and site investigation services on a national scale.
ERCE: ERCE is Europe’s leading privately-owned Reservoir Evaluation Company. Headquartered in London, and with offices in Singapore, Perth and Dubai, ERCE provides consulting services for an international client base. We are experts in Reserves and Resources auditing and valuation, being actively involved in the setting of reporting standards. We support Acquisition and Divestment activities globally, private and public, equity and debt. In 2016 we supported clients in transactions involving over £23 billion of assets. 6
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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REGENESIS: REGENESIS is the global leader in the development and supply of innovative in situ solutions for soil and groundwater remediation. Since incorporation in 1994, REGENESIS has provided costeffective remediation solutions on over 26,000 sites. REGENESIS offers an integrated suite of patented technologies and specialist on site services to leading environmental consulting and contracting firms serving a broad range of clients and industries worldwide.
Shearwater: Shearwater is an innovative global provider of 3D and 4D marine seismic data, imaging products and data processing software. Shearwater combine technology, innovation and client collaboration at every step from measurement to image. Our transparent and flexible approach delivers exceptional geophysical results.
Telford Council: Telford & Wrekin Council in the West Midlands declared a Climate Emergency on 25th July 2019, committing to carbon neutrality from the Council’s controlled operations and activities by 2030. A further commitment was made to engage with residents, businesses, public sector organisations and partners to work together with the aspiration for the Borough to also be carbon neutral by 2030. The council has already taken significant action to reduce its own carbon emissions and to support the community to do the same. Carbon emissions from the council’s operations have fallen by 58% since 2018/19, putting the TWC ahead of schedule to meet its 2030 carbon neutral commitment.
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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A Message from the Organisers Thank you for attending this event, it’s really exciting to have this conference back in person again. We’d like to acknowledge everyone who is presenting. Please show your support for the research demonstrated today at the Durham Earth Science Department Conference 2022.
2022 Conference Organising Committee: Elena Bennett Neve Satchwell Ariane Loisel Bex Robertson Chris Saville Martin Smith Annabelle Foster Sean Ruffell
If you would like to volunteer to help organise the conference next year, or have any suggestions on how to improve the event in the future, please contact christopher.saville@durham.ac.uk If you tweet about any of the day’s events, please remember to use the official conference hashtag visible at the top right of each page, and to tag the Earth Science Department Twitter (@DurUniEarthSci).
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
Conference Timetable: Tuesday 7th June 19.00
Icebreaker at Whitechurch
Conference Timetable: Wednesday 8th June 09.00
Registration opens
09.25
Opening words from Mark Allen - Head of Department ES228/229
09.30
1st Oral Session ES230/ES231
10.45
Morning drinks/undergraduate poster session ES228/229
11.15
2nd Oral Session ES230/ES231
12.30
Lunch ES228/229
13.15
3rd Oral Session ES230/ES231
14.30
Department Photo Session TBD
15.00
Afternoon drinks/postgraduate and staff poster session ES228/229
15.30
Lightning talks ES230
16.00
Prize Giving + Conference Close
16.30
Department Conference Quiz ES230
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
L4 Talks, TR3 Geochemistry 09.30
Jack Ambrose
09.45
Emily Fyfe
10.00
Yi Han
10.15
Sarah O’Donnell
10.30
Callum Pearman
11.00
Break Environmental
11.15
Erin Daly
11.30
Any McGuiness
11.45
George Scholey
12.30
Lunch Fault Mechanics and Petrology
13.15
Sarah Crozier
13.30
Archie Davies
13.45
Emily Gammon
14.00
Saujas Purohit
14.15
Sophie Shams
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
L4 Talks, TR4 Climate and it’s Interactions 09.30
Ellie Barford
09.45
Jenny Barlow
10.00
Oliver Bevan
10.15
Sam Hewitt
10.30
Estelle Liu
11.00
Break Resources
11.15
Nathalie Dawe
11.30
Ruby Delsignore
11.45
Harry McKittrick
12.00
Alex Portas
12.30
Lunch Planetary Geoscience and Fluvial Geomorphology
13.15
Hannah Broad
13.30
Atticus Cox
13.45
Jenny Hart
14.00
Thomas Watson
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Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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Research Project talk abstracts 1. Jack Ambrose
The anomalous results of Bjurbole and Estacado are the first recorded to provide both lower δ88 Sr
Stable Sr analyses of ordinary chondrites,
and δ84 Sr records, but this variation can be ex-
and their role in understanding the early
plained by a total increase of 20-40% of specific
solar system
SiC material within the sample, meaning study of the meteorite body should be conducted to
”Nucleosynthetic profiles within chondritic ma-
address this as a valid possibility.”
terial can provide insights into the processes of formation across the early solar system. Over
2. Ellie Barford
previous years, many studies have identified key isotopic trends across different materials
Are stable isotopes and trace elements
within the solar system, particularly between
suitable means as to reconstruct tropical cyclone activity in Bermuda?
chondrite inclusions and the bulk body they are within, and between carbonaceous (CC) and non-carbonaceous (NC) chondrites. Strontium
Extensive investigation of North Atlantic trop-
analysis has been useful previously, with stud-
ical cyclones has occurred since the introduc-
ies using finding a distinct offset between the
tion of the observational record in 1850. Vari-
MDFLs of CCs and NCs, a feature of separation
ous studies have reconstructed both long-term
that can also be seen across oxygen records of
and short-term North Atlantic tropical cyclone
the two materials. This study is focussed upon
activity, predominantly using storm overwash
identifying variations within stable Sr isotopes
deposits. However, fewer studies have explored
across the three main chondrite classes, for a
using stable isotopes and trace elements in
sense of general solar system accretion vari-
speleothems as a tool to reconstruct long-term
ation, and also within the petrological classes of
tropical cyclone activity. Furthermore, studies
ordinary chondrites, H, L and LL, to provide any
have focused on the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico,
insight to more specific parent body conditions.
and east coast of the United States of Amer-
Three anomalous chondrites were identified,
ica, thus paying little attention to the other areas
Estacado (H6), Bjurbole (LL4) and Dhurmsala
in the North Atlantic impacted by tropical cyc-
(LL6), with Estacado and Bjurbole providing
lones. This research aims to reconstruct trop-
δ88 Sr
ical cyclone activity in Bermuda using oxygen
and
δ84 Sr
values lying to the left of the
terrestrial MDFL, and Dhurmsala to the right
and carbon stable isotope data, as well as mag-
of the terrestrial MDFL. The general OC data
nesium trace element concentrations. The data
matches previously recorded values, and when
utilised in the investigation was obtained from
plotted against CC data again displays a MDFL
a speleothem located in a Bermudan coastal
offset between CC and NC materials, wherein
cave and is of an approximately monthly resolu-
the anomalous Dhurmsala plots close to the CC
tion. Attempts to reconstruct annual Bermudan
MDFL, suggesting a composition closer to CC
tropical cyclone activity between 1446 AD and
material than OC material, and perhaps a bleed-
2012 AD using stable isotopes were unsuccess-
ing event between the two proposed reservoirs.
ful. The discrepancy between the calculated 12
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annual and observed tropical cyclone counts
al., 2015), aerosols (Takemura et al., 2020 and
was attributed to the influence of temperature
Hu et al. 2021), and cloud formation (Dietmuller
on the oxygen stable isotope values. In con-
et al. 1998 and Dai et al. 1999) are the main
trast, magnesium as a tropical cyclone proxy
anthropogenic drivers of DTR change. To test
produced promising results, with spikes in mag-
this, we evaluated the significance of aerosol
nesium concentration representing increased
and contrail effect on the UK DTR during the
sea spray contributions to the speleothem as-
first COVID-19 lockdown (23 March - 31 May
sociated with tropical cyclones. The resultant
2020) using temperature data from 150 UK Met
reconstruction indicated relatively constant trop-
Office stations to determine whether the DTR
ical cyclone activity in Bermuda since 1465 AD,
during spring 2020 was significantly different
aside from a substantial increase in tropical cyc-
to the mean DTR records from 1992-2019. We
lone frequency in 1765-1864 AD. The period of
analysed trends in NO2 and SO2 concentrations
heightened tropical cyclone activity was linked
before and during the lockdown using AURN
to warmer sea surface temperatures and shifts
data to assess any significant changes to Aer-
in the strength and position of the North Atlantic
osol Optical depth (AOD) over the UK. Results
Subtropical High that potentially steered trop-
showed a +2.2 ºC DTR anomaly across the UK
ical cyclone tracks closer to Bermuda. Despite
during the lockdown caused by +1.8C Tmax an-
the challenges, the project has highlighted the
omaly and -0.4C Tmin anomaly. Aviation levels
potential for using stable isotopes and trace ele-
were the lowest since 2010 eruption of Eyjaf-
ments for long-term tropical cyclone reconstruc-
jallajökull and the daily number of flights were
tions. Future study should focus on applying
80-90% lower than in 2019. NO2 concentrations
stable isotopes and magnesium as tropical cyc-
reduced by 34% compared to concentrations
lone proxies in other locations to further explore
in 2019. Satellite imagery showed abundant
past tropical cyclone activity.
cloud-free sky days suggesting, low contrail and cloud formation rates during the study period.
3. Jenny Barlow
Although predominant positive DTR anomalies, negative anomalies did occur periodically which
How did the COVID-19 lockdown influence
suggest that synoptic weather systems had a
the UK climate?
greater influence in changing DTR compared to contrail and aerosols effect.
On 23rd March 2020, the UK entered a strict 10-week lockdown (23 March - 31 May 2020
4. Oliver Bevan
inclusive) in attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During the lockdown, road and air
Cryochrons of the Pre-Cambrian: Exploring
traffic pollution reduced substantially, providing
the onset mechanisms behind the Global
a unique opportunity to investigate the effects
Marinoan Glaciation.
of reduced air pollution on the UK climate, specifically the effect on diurnal temperature range
Ever since the ‘Snowball Earth’ concept was nu-
(DTR). DTR is the difference between the max-
merically modelled, the scientific community has
imum temperature (Tmax ) and minimum tem-
intensely explored how different climate mech-
perature (Tmin ) in a day. Studies suggest that
anisms can facilitate equatorial glaciation. Re-
contrails (Travis et al., 2002 and Bernhardt et
cent studies of the Marinoan Snowball Event 13
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have used “poorly” constrained palaeomagnetic
house climate achieved when sea ice reaches
and geological data when deriving timely paleo-
58% global coverage. These findings ultimately
geographic reconstructions for climate models.
provide insight into how Earth’s constantly shift-
Despite the associated uncertainty, the models
ing exterior can exert a strong influence on the
provided great initial interpretations that encour-
global climate, allowing future studies to define
aged the development of more accurate recon-
causative links between observed climate pat-
structions. This study aims to incorporate the
terns and the palaeogeographical setting.
most recent reconstruction of the Neoproterozoic palaeogeography by Merdith et al. (2021)
5. Hannah Broad
into CLIMBER-3α, an Earth system Model of
The meandering nature of the braided
Intermediate Complexity along with alternative
Brahmaputra
‘ideal’ configurations to ascertain the sensitivity of Earth’s energy balance to continental distri-
The Brahmaputra River is a highly dynamic river
bution. By adjusting the fixed atmospheric CO2
system and in recent years, partially meander-
concentration, the simulations revealed that a
ing second-order channels started to form within
globally even distribution of continental mass
its braided reach. Academic literature identified
catalysed mid-latitude sea ice expansion and in-
meanders within braided rivers and two mech-
creased planetary albedo, facilitating increased
anisms that cause this meandering. However,
susceptibility to a global glaciation. A poleward
no previous studies identified all the mechan-
supercontinent demonstrated resilience to cli-
isms and forcings causing braided rivers to me-
mate perturbation due to the impedance of meri-
ander or used braiding and sinuosity paramet-
dional heat transport and a decreased planetary
ers to explain the presence of sinuous channels
albedo. Finally, the Merdith et al. (2021) paleo-
in the Brahmaputra. River morphology affects
geographic reconstruction supported the on-
both natural systems (e.g., ecosystems) and
set of the Marinoan Snowball event but showed
the local community (e.g., flooding), so under-
greater resistance to equatorial glaciation than
standing these river changes will help to mit-
the dispersed configuration due to the redirec-
igate any resulting negative effects (e.g., the
tion of tropical ocean gyres and thermal energy
loss of land from bank erosion). By calculating
to the sea ice front. The implementation of vol-
the braiding and sinuosity parameters of three
canic aerosols proved that the associated cli-
study areas through time, this study quantifies
mate forcing was sufficient to trigger a Snowball
the Brahmaputra’s channel evolution. The sinu-
Event, with more severe global perturbations
osity of the Brahmaputra’s river channels de-
when outgassed at low latitudes. The presence
creased between 1990 and 2000 before increas-
of aerosols increased the winter temperature
ing again between 2000 and 2020. However,
fluctuation for each hemisphere, allowing for a
the Brahmaputra does not become increasingly
net equatorward sea ice advancement due to
or decreasingly braided meaning the river chan-
the cooler summer temperatures until planetary
nels still classify as braided channels. This study
albedo caused a glaciation. This study provides
identifies discharge, channel avulsions and point
evidence for the existence of a meta-stable cli-
bar development as three factors that control
mate state that occurs when the global temper-
the evolution of the braiding and sinuosity para-
ature is reduced to -12 ± 0.5°C, with an ice-
meters over time. Also, the yearly braiding and 14
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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sinuosity parameter values did not vary greatly
Zoned Pluton, SE Australia are utilised to elu-
from the decadal values. Finally, this study con-
cidate mechanisms of differentiation and solid-
cludes that the braiding and sinuosity parameter
ification of cumulate intrusions, in order to con-
of the Brahmaputra will continue to fluctuate in
strain the final behaviour of the interstitial melt
the future, but that the sinuosity parameters will
within a mush system. Simple fractional crys-
likely increase into the near future. Although this
tallisation trends deviate significantly from trace
study cannot conclude that meanders are form-
element concentrations measured in the plagio-
ing within the Brahmaputra, on a broader scale,
clase crystals. In particular, trends in the more
the mechanisms identified to increase sinuosity
evolved granodiorite sample indicate that late
will help to create a general model that details
stage trapped interstitial melt is likely unable to
how meanders form in a braided system. This
segregate from the solid crystal framework, be-
means that processes that create meanders can
coming immobile and thus evolving down a sep-
be identified as they occur, allowing the local
arate liquid line of descent to the bulk magma.
community to focus on the hazards associated with meanders (e.g., flooding) rather than braid-
7. Atticus Cox
ing hazards (e.g., rapid bank erosion).
What can a time series analysis of the Indus River tell us about monsoon seasons?
6. Sara Crozier
The Indus River is a highly volatile river that From grain to granite: Differentiation
can undergo significant changes in its geo-
mechanisms from μm to km
morphology. This is because of its location next to the Himalayas which leads it subject to
The upper continental crust is dominated by
the Indian Monsoon season as well as the in-
chemically diverse granitic plutons. Despite their
flux of water due to snowmelt. During this sea-
ubiquity, there is still active debate surrounding
son, the discharge of the river can increase up
the chemical and physical conditions of mush
to 30,000m3 /s (Syvitski et al., 2013). This in-
bodies from which intrusive pluton bodies even-
creased discharge has affects on much of the
tually form. While extensive whole-rock has
geomorphology of the river including its sinu-
been undertaken worldwide, few studies have
osity, channel width, braiding index, and me-
detailed interstitial liquid evolution. The signific-
ander length. These changes in the morphology
ance of this lies in the segregation of such liquid
are often associated with flooding events and
into silicic eruptible bodies; mush processes
these floods put the people that live on or adja-
could perturb subvolcanic systems and induce
cent to the Indus River at risk. To observe these
dramatic behavioural changes. It is crucial to
changes a time series analysis was performed
integrate petrologic information, wherever feas-
using satellite imagery from Google Earth. The
ible, while examining individual mineral phases
analysis was performed between the years of
to establish the origin of variation in a suite of
1984-2020 using two locations that were chosen
related rocks, to enable better characterisation
at different points of the river to see if the effects
of intrusive bodies and sites of potential erup-
of monsoons differs whether the location is in
tion. Novel trace element compositional profiles
the upper, middle, or lower course. This ana-
across plagioclase grains from the Boggy Plain
lysis has provided a database of results that has 15
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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been compared with flooding records to see if
location was found to take approximately four
there is a correlation between monsoon flood-
large storm events, with all pesticides except
ing and changes in fluvial morphology. Results
diazinon showing complete depletion by the end
show that changes in channel width and braiding
of the study period. Solute and isotopic tracers
index are exaggerated in the middle course of
were employed. Unexpectedly, storm size and
the river whereas changes in sinuosity are exag-
solubility of the pesticide had little control on mo-
gerated in the lower course. Channel width and
bilisation. Location and timing of storm event
braiding index have been continuing to increase
after application appeared to be the key controls
over the past 40 years suggesting that there is a
on mobilisation. While solute tracers provided
link between global warming and the changes in
an estimated location, they contradicted isotopic
fluvial geomorphology. Higher temperatures in-
tracer findings. Therefore, further research will
crease the strength of monsoon seasons leading
be needed to accurately determine source loca-
to more flooding events and greater changes in
tions and pathways of pesticides.
geomorphology.
9. Archie Davies
8. Erin Daly Observations of precursory slow slip An Investigation into Pesticide Mobilisation
nucleation on inhomogeneous laboratory
and on the River Rye, North Yorkshire
faults
Sampling rivers at a sub-daily frequency can
Recent GPS and geodetic observations of major
provide valuable insights into the mobilisation of
earthquakes show a precursory slow slip phase
pesticides in both baseflow and stormflow con-
which releases a significant portion of the total
ditions. Previous studies have found that up to
moment. Too few examples of recorded slow
90 % of the total pesticide concentrations enter
slip events in nature however mean that the pre-
waterways during stormflow. However, there
cursory phase of earthquakes remains largely
has been little investigation into the timing of
misunderstood, and it is not evident what con-
mobilisation, source locations, and pathways of
trols the prevalence and amount of slip in the
these pesticides. Information on the flow paths
nucleation process before faults become critic-
and timings will enable more effective mitiga-
ally unstable. A new experimental method using
tion against pesticide pollution from agriculture.
photo-analysis was used to investigate the effect
Four storm events were analysed between late
of inhomogeneity on the precursory slow slip
October and December of 2021 on the river
nucleation of analogue fault surfaces. The setup
Rye because of continuous 12-hour precipita-
consisted of two polycarbonate plates under dir-
tion and discharge sampling in this period. This
ect shear with a 30-cm long contact interface.
study found that 100 % of pesticides were re-
Small patches of visco-elastic silicon, with a low
leased during precipitation events or stormflow
coefficient of friction, were added to the con-
conditions. Dry antecedent conditions caused
tact interface to make the fault inhomogeneous.
increased higher event water contribution and
Direct measurements of critical slip nucleation
pesticide concentrations. All pesticides showed
lengths were found to be larger when the re-
a reduction in their concentrations throughout
spective fault heterogeneity was increased. The
storm events. Full depletion of pesticides in this
increase in nucleation size was not proportional 16
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to theoretical predictions made using a slip-
mapping of onshore analogues could be used to
weakening law, suggesting that the critical slip
inform computational models of reservoir struc-
lengths of these inhomogeneous faults are not
ture, fluid flow, and petroleum potential.
dependent on the average strength of the fault alone. These results show qualitative agreement 11. Ruby Delsignore with previous instability analysis (Campillo et al., 2001) and support the concept that highly het-
Consumption and Survival of Natural
erogeneous faults in nature, such as those at
(Molecular) Hydrogen in the Geosphere
subduction zones, favour slow slip nucleating behaviour.
Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the Earth’s atmosphere. As the lightest
10. Nathalie Dawe
gas on Earth, hydrogen is greatly used in fuel Dail Mhor fissure fill as an onshore analogue
cells for electricity generation. Interest in hy-
for fractured basement reservoirs in the
drogen has risen dramatically due to the lack of greenhouse gases produced, particularly
North Sea.
if usage of this element comes from a natural Fractured basement reservoirs in the North Sea
source. However, so far, hydrogen must be
are a poorly studied but vital resource. Onshore
manufactured, which is an expensive and time-
analogues for the West of Shetland Basin are
consuming process. Natural or ‘gold’ hydrogen
key to understanding the fractured basement
has been found in quantity in places such as
reservoir properties. Presented here is a field
Mali, Australia, and the Western Pyrenean Foot-
study to Dail Mhor in the Lewisian Complex,
hills. Hydrogen is generated by several crustal
and an analysis of its suitability as an analogue
processes including from ophiolites and from
followed by a discussion of the consequences
Pre-Cambrian basement rocks but its fate in
this analogue has for the Rona Ridge basement
many instances remains a mystery. Through
plays. Fissure-fills are analysed in terms of their
literature-based research and analysis, this
lithology and structures. Conglomerate infills
paper shows how microbial communities and
voids between fragmented Lewisian host rock
methanogenic isolates consume hydrogen in the
lithic fragments which prop open the fissure.
geosphere under specific quantitative temper-
At Dail Mhor, the sediment infill likely has the
ature conditions. A general upper temperature
same origin as the overlying cover sequence,
limit range for microbial growth stands at 110-
the Stornoway Formation, which was depos-
122°C. Other sources from literature contest that
ited at the same time as fissure formation. Off-
a higher temperature limit may be possible, sug-
shore, the equivalent deposit is believed have
gesting as high as 150°C, although evidence for
been eroded. Fault displacement and fragment-
this is limited. Growth for certain mesophilic mi-
ation, dilational faulting and collapse, and hy-
croorganisms was found to be inhibited between
draulic fracturing are the mechanisms respons-
30-50 MPa also, however, an upper pressure
ible for fissuring and collapse. Large fissure fills
limit for microbial growth has still not been fully
in the Rona Ridge formed under similar circum-
established. A hypothesis suggests hydrogen
stances, with large gneissic mega-clasts sur-
can survive as a discrete molecule if it is present
rounded by conglomerate infill. Further detailed
as a discrete gas phase, rather than in solution. 17
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Discrete gas phases were found in the subsur-
determine if this mineral is responsible for af-
face using seismic bottom-simulating reflectors
fecting trace element concentrations, primar-
which represent the boundary between gas hy-
ily REE, of schists and the role metamorphism
drates and the free-gas phases that occur be-
has in altering micas. An 87 Sr/86 Sr isotopic ana-
low. The gaseous composition of these phases,
lysis, as well as a trace element analysis, was
nonetheless, has yet to be accounted for. If nat-
conducted to determine ratios and concentra-
ural hydrogen can be successfully located in
tions of 14 mica separates. Pre-existing whole
the subsurface, this raises the question for a fu-
rock and hydrothermal fluid data have been
ture manufactured hydrogen storage potential.
used as a point of comparison to evaluate the
Could hydrogen be stored successfully in the
role of micas in affecting their chemistries. Rb-
geosphere? There is evidence to suggest salt
Sr dating calculates ages from 13.0-15.6 myrs
caverns could act as affective hydrogen cap-
for amphibolites and from 30.3–59.2 myrs for
sules as well as storage models being created
greenschists.
for the Northern German Basin. Although, how
those in whole rocks and increase slightly with
can natural hydrogen be retained so that it is
metamorphic grade. However, ratios in hydro-
not then consumed during microbial bacterial
thermal fluids are not controlled by micas, as
growth? How might sufficient gaseous hydrogen
87 Sr/86 Sr
accumulate such that it becomes a commercially
ity to the Alpine Fault. Trace elements: Rb, Sr,
attractive exploration target?
Ba, Mn and Fe in micas are immobile with re-
ratios in micas resemble
ratios decrease with depth and proxim-
spect to metamorphic grades. REE partitioning
12. Emily Fyfe
is also not affected by metamorphism. However, it is displayed that REE are primarily hosted in
Rare Earth Element Behaviour during
micas as most whole rocks and mica profiles
Metamorphism and Hydrothermal Alteration
show a ‘general pattern’ of decreasing concentrations from La to Lu. Hydrothermal fluids REE
The Alpine Fault in South Island, New Zea-
profiles vary, indicating it is not the micas that
land has an oblique convergent regime and
are in control of fluid chemistry during fluid-rock
is the active Pacific-Australian plate bound-
interaction. Metamorphism is apparent to not
ary. The Alpine Schists are part of the Haast
be the main control in micas, whole rocks and
Schist group and are found adjacent to the fault.
fluid chemistry. A further investigation focusing
Metamorphic grades in the Alpine Schists de-
on plagioclase in metabasic units may aid to de-
crease eastwards from garnet-oligoclase am-
termine what controls fluid chemistry.
phibolites to greenschists (garnet, biotite and ending with chlorite greenschists). Due to oro-
87 Sr/86S r
13. Emily Gammon
genic Au deposits being found in the area, previous studies investigated which ore-forming
An Investigation into sources and ascent
elements and fluids are responsible for the de-
processes, using major and minor element
posits, and what the chemistries of meteoric and
chemistry of olivine, from the Avachinsky
metamorphic fluids associated with fluid-rock
Main Cone, Kamchatka, East Russia
interactions in the Alpine Fault Zone. Micas in the Alpine Schists have not been studied as a
This study determines subsurface magmatic
main point of focus. This investigation aims to
sources and ascent of magma within the Avach18
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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insky Volcano, Kamchatka. The Avachinsky
level. The average 187 Os/188 Os ratios of around
main cone and it’s feeding system became a
0.508 within Osaka Bay are lower than in the
focus for study following an eruption in 1991,
Pacific Ocean, which stays around 1.04. This
leading to limited research on its magma plumb-
difference might be due to the precipitation of
ing and sources, which this study builds upon.
anthropogenic source osmium. We provided a
A petrographic analysis of olivine phenocrysts,
fundamental assessment of the Osaka Re-Os
followed by geochemical analysis focusing on
system, including both biological and environ-
the elements Mg, Al, P, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni,
mental controls. We propose that the ocean cur-
Cu, Zn, Yb and Lu was undertaken for 2 lava
rent has a major impact on the 187 Os/188 Os ra-
samples from the main cone. This provides a
tio, driving the isotope composition into a more
suitable test for fractional crystallisation pro-
radiogenic value of 0.758. We introduce a less
cesses and to determine suitable olivine equi-
expensive, long-lived bio monitor that can ignore
librium partition coefficients (Kd). Sample AVX
seasonal changes and species differences. Mu-
16-02, a basaltic andesite lava provides dis-
nicipal solid waste incinerators (MSWI) have a
tinct evidence of fractional crystallization from
maximum output of 1.13×10
a mixed felsic and basaltic magma reservoir.
year, whereas the automobile catalyst’s max-
The composition of the ABZ 12/85 sample rep-
imum output is 1.05×10×10
resents the more primitive end member of the
per year. This result indicates that the point
range of lava and tephra erupted at Avachinsky.
source is too large to be produced by automo-
AVX 16/02 melt compositions are comparable
biles alone, suggesting that the MSWI is the pre-
to melt inclusions measured by Iveson et al.,
dominant source of osmium in the Osaka Bay
(2021). Sample ABZ 12/85 represents an oliv-
area.
−1
−3
kg of osmium per kg of osmium
ine rich picritic high Mg# avachite, the same as samples measured by (Portnyagin et al., 2005). 15. Jennifer Hart The sample includes both first phase fractionally crystallised olivine phenocrysts which follow the
An Analysis of the Depositional and Surface
same pathway as AVX 16-02, as well as primit-
Processes affecting the Morphology of
ive xenocrysts with high Mg# (90-92%). These
Martian Alluvial Fans
xenocrysts appear to be sourced from a partially melted spinel peridotite and eclogite. Following
Alluvial fans on Mars hold incredible potential
this, the xenocrysts have been reincorporated
for the reconstruction of the environmental pro-
into the ABZ 12/85 melt to form a hybrid cumu-
cesses, structural activity, and paleoclimate oc-
late, all of which has undergone late-stage frac-
curring on the surface planet. Alluvial fans are
tional crystallisation and mixing.
a landform often deposited within rift valleys on Earth, with their depositional morphology hold-
14. Yi Han
ing chronostratigraphic information recording the structural dynamism of their valley setting.
Anthropogenic Osmium in Macroalgae from
Fans deposited within a syn-rift valley setting will
Osaka Bay Reveals Widespread
differ in size and volume from the fans created
Contamination from Municipal Solid Waste
in a post-rift valley setting, due to the structural Humans have affected the global ocean osmium
activity and resulting tectonism of the valley as 19
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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it widens. Fans can also be fluvial in origin, cre-
collision zone in a subtropical climate charac-
ated by surface water, and their dimensional
terised by extreme rainfall and rapid denuda-
morphology is distinctively different from those
tion. The contrasting and powerful influence of
of structural origin. In this project, an attempt
tectonic uplift and denudation on the orogenic
has been made to determine the conditions
landscape provides an opportunity to study the
under which the alluvial fans in the Valles Mar-
extent to which topographic steady state has
ineris rift valley formed. The method chosen was
been achieved and at what topographic scale
through collecting and comparing Martian fan
it is evident. Hypsometric integrals where cal-
data with that of Terrestrial fans from syn-rifting
culated for the 100 largest drainage basins on
(active), post-rifting (inactive), and fluvial set-
Taiwan and compared to the seismic density
tings. Remote Sensing and Imaging Analysis of
and mean annual rainfall, used as proxies for
alluvial fans in the Melas Chasma and Coprates
uplift and erosion rate respectively. Hypsomet-
Chasma regions of the Valles Marineris has
ric integral values did not provide evidence for
produced a catalogue of the morphology of 50
topographic steady state being achieved at
Martian fans. Using images taken by the MRO
a drainage basin scale, with basin morpholo-
CTX camera, the data is evaluated comparat-
gies still undergoing evolution despite evidence
ively with the three terrestrial analogues. The
for topographic steady state at broader spatial
analysis will aim to evidence any rifting or envir-
scales. There was no direct correlation between
onmental processes that the Martian fans have
the seismic density or mean annual rainfall and
undergone, by observing similarities between
basin hypsometric integral values partly due to
their morphologies. The results find that the
the limitations of using these as proxies for up-
morphology of the Martian fans correlate closely
lift and erosion in this context. However, higher
with the morphological trends present in the flu-
hypsometric integral values where recorded in
vial terrestrial analogue but are also significantly
the larger basins on the East flank than on the
similar to the data from the syn-rifting analogue.
West flank, the difference occurring due to the
These conclusions are supported by existing lit-
influence of lithology.
erature and serve to strengthen the theory that a
17. Estelle Liu
period of local tectonism associated with the regional uplift of Tharsis was a major factor in the
Can plate tectonics drive long-term climate
depositional morphology of alluvial fans in the
fluctuations?
Valles Marineris. These data also show that the surface processes affecting the modern shape
The collision and divergence of tectonic plates
of the fans are predominantly fluvial-driven.
at plate boundaries releases carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, affecting global and regional
16. Sam Hewitt
climate. Over time, plate tectonics can cause Using landscape characteristics to assess
climate fluctuations on 10-100-million-year time
topographic steady state in the Taiwan
scales and are one of the main controls of atmospheric carbon, playing a vital role in long-term
Orogen
climate forcing. Different amounts of carbon are Taiwan is unique among the words tectonic land-
released at different tectonic settings, including
scapes as a young and active arc-continent
at subduction zones and ridges. Volcanism at 20
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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continental arcs in subduction zones is the main
most of these come from China, who owns ap-
source of atmospheric carbon, and sulphur di-
proximately 95% of the global market. These
oxide is primarily released from volcanic activity.
supplies are very unsustainable; China is known
Therefore, the amount and distribution of sub-
to use them as a strategic asset in its geopol-
duction zones at any given time is likely to have
itics, making the UK very vulnerable in terms
a significant impact on climate. Knowledge of
of meeting its carbon net-zero goals. This pro-
plate tectonics decreases further back in time,
ject aims to evaluate the threat of REE avail-
with few plate tectonic reconstructions spanning
ability to the UK’s low-carbon future and offer
the last billion years. Therefore, the relationship
a holistic approach to minimising this threat as
between tectonic settings and degassing is not
much as possible. UK stakeholders seem to
well known, especially for sulphur dioxide. Here
have underestimated the severity of this issue
we use a plate reconstruction model to determ-
with their lack of strategic planning of these crit-
ine climate fluctuations over the last billion years
ical resources. Import and trade data projections
by investigating the variations in the lengths and
strongly suggest that global demand for REEs
distribution of subduction zones and comparing
will rise significantly beyond current production
them with other climate proxies. The distribu-
capacity by 2025. It is very likely the UK will face
tion of subduction zone lengths coincides with
a shortage in high-performance magnets before
some major climate events, including the Snow-
then. This immediate threat must be tackled on
ball Earth events in the Neoproterozoic, giving
two fronts: substituting REEs with more access-
a better understanding into the causes of major
ible materials in these magnets and develop-
past climate events.
ing UK-based REE resources. Of all the potential REE substitutes that were assessed here,
18. Harry Mckittrick
manganese-based alloys proved the most suitable for high-performance magnets because of how cheap, accessible, and efficient they could
Minimising the threat of rare earth element
be. However, more investment is needed into
availability to the UK’s low-carbon future
their research. There are several other possibilities for REE substitutes. The most economically
The group of materials collectively known as
viable way of diversifying the UK’s resources
rare earth elements (REEs) are essential com-
is by investing in processing plants to treat raw
ponents of high-performance magnets used in
REEs, which would secure the UK’s position in
wind turbines and electric vehicles. With the
the global REE value chain. It is evident that
commitment of the UK government and many
REE availability will be a major constraint on the
others around the world to becoming carbon
UK’s low-carbon transition unless immediate ac-
net-zero economies, there has been a surge
tion is taken.
in the production of these low-carbon technologies. Offshore wind alone is expected to drive
19. Amy McGuinness
a 1500% increase in demand for neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium, the REEs typ-
Quantifying Microplastics in the River Wear
ically used in high-performance magnets, over the next 20 years. However, the UK is entirely
Microplastics (<5 mm) are ubiquitous throughout
dependent on imports for its REE supplies, and
the environment and have become a problem 21
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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of major global concern. Current knowledge of
research contributes to the understanding of
microplastic pollution focuses on the marine en-
microplastic pollution in UK rivers. The study
vironment. However, rivers are the main source
also provides information to aid more accurate
of microplastics to oceans and yet limited re-
estimates of the concentration of microplastic
search has been carried out on these freshwater
pollution reaching the North Sea.
sources. Quantifying the microplastic pollution
20. Sarah O’Donnell
in riverine systems is essential to understanding the effects of microplastic pollution and es-
Stable Isotope Analysis of Grey Seal
timating the quantity of microplastics entering
Vibrissae from the Isles of Scilly, UK
the oceans. Determining the most abundant type of microplastics present and any hotspots
The ecological effect of rapidly increasing grey
along rivers will indicate the key source of mi-
seal populations in the UK is unknown. Being
croplastics to freshwater and thus marine envir-
a top predator, examining a seal’s use of re-
onments. This study is the first to quantify and
sources indicates important information about
assess the concentration of microplastic pollu-
marine ecosystems, which is imperative due to
tion along a river in the Northeast of England.
the increasing pressures of climate change and
The study sampled five sites along the River
overfishing. However, few studies have invest-
Wear and three tributaries of the river in the area around Durham city. Samples were wet sieved
igated the predator-prey dynamics since seals consume prey at locations and depths that can-
(63 μm mesh), and oven dried before a density
not be observed. This study uses nitrogen and
separation solution of sodium chloride (NaCl)
carbon isotopes of grey seal vibrissae (whiskers)
and sodium iodide (NaI) were used to isolate
from the Isles of Scilly to investigate foraging
the microplastics. Microplastics were identified
behaviour. Stable isotope analysis provides an
using visual observations of the supernatant un-
alternative method to direct observation, to con-
der a microscope. Size, shape, and colour of
vey a chronological time series of spatial and
the microplastics were recorded to characterize
temporal trophic information. Analysis of 11 seri-
them into four categories: microbeads, fibres,
ally sampled grey seal vibrissae found seasonal
fragments and other. Microplastics were found
and annual variation in feeding techniques. At
in every sample taken. The concentration of mi-
the population level, grey seals showed sub-
croplastics ranged from 700-3300 particles/kg
stantial isotopic variation, indicating a diverse
of sediment with an average concentration of
range in diet and foraging locations. Variation is
1537.5 microplastics/kg of sediment. The con-
increasing, with some seals adopting individually
centrations are comparable with other stud-
specialised feeding strategies, likely because
ies conducted on urban rivers. Fibres were the
of prey migration and abundance changes, in-
most abundant type of microplastic found which
creased competition and decreasing resources.
provides evidence that the key source of micro-
Decreasing resource quality and quantity is in-
plastics to the River Wear is poor waste man-
flicting nutritional stress on some seals, con-
agement and discharge of untreated wastewater
tributing to a larger decline in grey seal trophic
from wastewater treatment plants. To reduce
level. These results reveal more information
microplastic pollution, improved capture tech-
about the grey seal ecological niche, which will
nologies and source reduction are vital. Our
aid the successful management and protection 22
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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of marine food webs. Relationships shown here
such as U/Nb and Nb/Y, this work finds evid-
also provide future outlooks into similar areas,
ence that the NE Mafic Complex exhibits small
should seal populations continue to expand and
scale heterogeneity in its mantle source. This
fish stocks continue to decline.
heterogeneity arises from variable subduction fluid input and most likely an event of prior melt-
21. Callum Peaman
ing, which may relate to incipient rifting of North and South America. The findings of this work
Small island, huge importance: insights into
demonstrate that the magmatic and tectonic set-
Mesozoic Carribean Tectonics from the
ting of La Desirade’s formation was complex
geochemistry of La Desirade
and unstable, but are consistent with the theory that La Desirade formed in a back-arc spreading
La Desirade is composed of the oldest rocks on
center in the proto-Caribbean ocean.
the eastern Caribbean plate ( 149 Ma) and is the only island in the Lesser Antilles arc to expose
22. Alex Portas
pre-Cenozoic igneous basement. Therefore, its study is considered vital to reconstructing
Exploring the supply and environmental
the late Jurassic geology and tectonics of the
impact of lithium-ion batteries in the UK’s
region. A variety of tectonic settings of form-
transition to electric cars.
ation have been proposed to explain lithological, structural and geochemical observations
The UK Government’s announcement that all
across the island, including a mid-ocean ridge;
new cars must be 100% zero emission by 2035
suprasubduction zone; or a back-arc spread-
accelerated the transition to electric vehicles.
ing center, however no consensus has of yet
This transition requires a great influx in lithium-
been reached. This work addresses this tec-
ion batteries into the UK. The cathode signific-
tonic debate by obtaining the first robust iso-
antly affects the performance and cost of the
topic constraint on the mantle source of La De-
batteries, and its key metals, lithium, nickel, co-
sirade lavas. To do this, MC-ICP-MS analytical
balt, and manganese, are a major part of the
methods are applied to determine the Hf iso-
supply chain. This study calculates the UK’s
topic compositions for 9 leached and un-leached
growth in electric vehicles and the demand of
samples from the La Desirade NE Mafic Com-
cathode metals up to 2035. It also investigates
plex and dyke complex. This study reports a
the global and potential domestic sources of
leached range in εHf from +10.8 to +14.1, and a
these metals. It is forecast 2,295,000 new elec-
mean fall in εHf from the un-leached to leached
tric cars will be sold in 2035, requiring a com-
batch of 0.35. Furthermore, leachate charac-
bined 73,257t of battery metals. While Cornish
teristics suggest that there was an emergence
lithium may be used to support the supply, it is
of the island during formation from a submar-
unknown whether the UK will have the ability by
ine to subaerial setting, which may relate to key
2035 to fulfil the annual 7,425t of lithium needed
regional tectonic changes. The overall isotopic
to be self-sufficient. There will be a continued
range is restricted, which means that the mantle
dependency for imports of nickel, cobalt, and
source of the volcanic units of La Desirade is
manganese, as currently no suitable domestic
homogenous on a broad scale. However, by
sources have been identified. Maintained de-
combining isotopic data with trace element ratios
pendency on overseas sources will increase the
23
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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economic risk associated with the supply chain
ure rise. The main aim of the report is to track
as production struggles to meet global demand.
the temperature evolution inside a fault zone
This review calculates carbon emissions asso-
of finite thickness. The models have been pro-
ciated with the battery supply chain and to what
duced from experiments performed on Carrara
extent this might be reduced. The transporta-
marble. The temperature has been computed
tion of unrefined materials and manufactured
using the Crank- Nicholson numerical scheme.
batteries will be the main source of total emis-
The temperature calculations have been revised
sions for electric cars. Due to the global distribu-
at each timestep to include the effects of heat
tion of these metals, and with China dominating
sources, heat sinks, and variation in the thermal
global refinery and the manufacture of lithium-
dependence of rock properties. The results sug-
ion batteries, transport emissions for the UK
gest that distributing the heat sources and heat
supply chain remain high. In 2020, the supply
sinks within the shear layer buffers the temper-
chain produced 3,819t of CO2 e. Deglobalizing
ature by around 80-100ºC, compared to local
the supply chain, by transporting direct to the
heat sources and heat sinks and by roughly
UK instead of via China, can reduce CO2 e by
35ºC against local heat sources and distrib-
35%. Reducing transport distances can further
uted heat sinks. Thereby, the numerical mod-
decrease emissions by 66%. For the UK’s elec-
els highlight the significance of tracing the tem-
tric car industry to become more self-reliant and
perature evolution on a fault zone of finite thick-
achieve further reduction in carbon emissions
ness compared to a fault zone of infinite (zero)
associated with the transition, deglobalisation of
thickness. Additionally, at 1.13 s since the start
the supply chain and investment into new giga-
of the experiment, around 100% of the calcite
factories and recycling infrastructure needs to
mass is suggested to decompose at distances of
occur as an urgent priority.
12 µm from the Principal Slip Zone (PSZ), and roughly 95% is decomposed at the PSZ bound-
23. Saujas Purohit
ary. The percentage drops rapidly with greater distances from the center of the shear layer.
Earthquake propagation facilitated by
The accurate computation of temperature evolu-
frictional heating: Models with distributed
tion during these dynamic weakening processes
heat sources and heat sinks I would not want
helps in estimating the energy available for fault
to do the quiz in the end if that’s fine.
propagation, and ultimately, radiation of hazardous seismic waves outwards from the fault in all
Despite the devastating impacts of earthquakes
directions.
on society, there is still a lack of understanding of the processes that govern earthquake
24. George Scholey
propagation. Laboratory experiments reveal that rocks undergo abrupt dynamic weakening
For Peats sake. Testing the role of
at seismic slip rates (>1 m/s). The temperat-
self-weight compaction in the early stages of
ure rise associated with frictional work (heat
peat formation.
sources) during earthquake slip has been proposed to explain the dynamic weakening of
Peat has three key factors that control its form-
faults, accompanied by the decomposition re-
ation: Partial decay of soft plant material, Self-
actions (heat sinks) that buffer the temperat-
weight compaction of the moss due to the 24
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
weight of material above it, and capillary action within the pore spaces drawing up the water table. Since the model was proposed the extent
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predicted. 25. Sophie Shams
to which peat can undergo self-weight compac-
Why do earthquakes cluster in space and
tion and how much it contributes to formation
time?
has not been tested or quantified. Two methods for moss compaction have been proposed in lit-
Earthquakes usually group into sequences
erature,
of aftershocks, mainshocks, and foreshocks. These groups are called bursts, swarms, or
Creep - the slow loss of material due to decay,
clusters. Analysis allows us to identify earth-
leading to the collapse of the moss matrix. Self-
quake clusters, however their properties such as
weight compaction - the rapid compaction of
magnitude, clustering affinity, and their distribu-
the moss due to overlying material, either more
tion are unknown. Nearest neighbour analysis
moss or seasonal loads such as snow or rain.
of earthquakes in the space-time-magnitude
Having set up controlled 1m columns of sphag-
domain reveals a bimodal distribution of earth-
num moss collected from Thorne in south York-
quakes, where events are either clustered or
shire, measurements of the compaction of the
belong to the background. The distribution and
moss as well as the carbon flux (a proxy for de-
size of earthquake clusters have been analysed
cay) were taken. The amount of compaction due
in this study by using the GCMT, NEIC and ISC
to creep can be calculated by finding the volume
catalogues. The datasets employed were 11-
of material that must have decayed to let off that
28 times greater than the original datasets used
volume of carbon using ideal gas equations, any
in previous studies (previous catalogues were
further loss must be due to compaction. Further-
the NCEDC and an outdated NEIC). This re-
more, this experiment will test if loading of peat
duces the associated error during analysis and
such is the case in seasonal compaction has the
reinforces findings which may vary between
potential to cause a permanent loss of volume.
datasets due to different recording methods.
This study will show that self-weight compaction
This study shows that the depth of earthquakes
does play a crucial role in the formation of peat
affects clustering. It is seen that 55.4% of all
as shown by significant instantaneous compac-
shallower superficial earthquakes (≤ 50 km)
tion seen in the initial stages of all columns and
are clustered, whereas for all deep subduction
crucially will show
earthquakes (> 50 km), only 22.9% of clustered earthquakes. Furthermore, larger magnitude
• that self-weight compaction does occur instantaneously as predicted by literat-
earthquakes are often less clustered and have
ure, this means that a threshold must be
smaller earthquake families, indicating that mid-
reached before the process occurs
magnitude earthquakes are more likely to have
• that seasonal loading could meet this
significant aftershocks. Applying this knowledge
threshold and cause permanent deforma-
to real time earthquake events could assist in
tion of the material
predicting the extent of future aftershocks and thus help inform the associated risk of living in a
• water tables are shown to form and anoxic
seismically active zone.
catotelm which lessens the volume of de-
caying material leading to less creep being 26. Thomas Watson 25
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
Can Computers Detect Caves on Mars?
#DUESC2022
veyed. Five newly identified caves are highlighted as promising candidates for future re-
Cave entrances observed on Mars, formed from
search, alongside 12 cave-dense sub-regions
lava tube collapses, are key to the future ex-
capable of facilitating rapid cave exploration.
ploration of the planet. They represent valuable
Further analysis found that the network performs
exploration targets for signs of life and could
poorly on smaller cave types, likely due to the
provide shelter for prospective human endeav-
restrictions in image resolution and computa-
ours. In this survey, a convolutional neural net-
tional power available. Despite this, it is con-
work (CNN), trained to identify cave entrances
cluded that the network is up to 37 times more
from images of the Martian surface, is used to
effective than random surveyance, providing
locate new cave candidates. Five regions were
0.78% chance of cave detection compared to
targeted for search, totalling around 1.1% of the
the 0.022% probabilistic chance of random de-
Martian surface. Each region selected either
tection. This suggests that there is great po-
contains a high abundance of previously identi-
tential for cave discovery with this method, al-
fied cave entrances or is known to contain vol-
though, improvements in the training dataset’s
canic surface features. The network identified
size and quality are required prior to planet-wide
61 new and 24 previously confirmed cave en-
application. Advancements in current explor-
trances out of 10,834 positive outputs (0.78%).
ation technologies are also necessary before
This accounted for 7.04% of the 341 previously
confirming any candidate identified as an actual
confirmed caves present in the 5 regions sur-
cave entrance.
26
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Poster Index 1. Heda Agic Staff Individual organic-walled microfossil δ13 C decoupled from positive δ13 Corg excursions in the Neoproterozoic 2. Ceri Allgood Postgraduate Dykes are more complicated than you might think 3. Lorna Baker Undergraduate Nitrogen isotopes in upwelling systems: a proxy for ocean hypoxia 4. Bob Elliot Postgraduate Characterising near-fault deformation in the Apennines through the use of high-resolution Pleiades optical satellite data 5. Malte Froemchen Postgraduate How topography records the influence of inheritance on active rifting in the Shanxi Graben, North China 6. Annabelle Foster Postgraduate Explosive textures found in rhyolitic lava, Hrafntinnuhryggur, Iceland 7. Janina Gillies Postgraduate Observations from glazed pyroclasts produced by fountaining during the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Eruption, Iceland
27
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8. Lucy Jackson Postgraduate The Disappearing Bubble Act! Preliminary results from experimental observations of bubble rise and resorption 9. Honor James Postgraduate Shear zone generated by volcanic collapse on Ascension Island, South Atlantic 10. Rhiannon Morgan Undergraduate The sinuous ridges of the Green River, Utah: an analogue for Aeolis Dorsa, Mars 11. Naeema Al Nofeli Postgraduate The potential for biochar to mitigate the impact of climate change 12. Ahmed Kadhim Obaid Staff Shallow water depth estimation using remote sensing and machine learning models: A case study in the southeastern Iraq 13. Lewis W Robinson Postgraduate Strontium stable isotope behaviour accompanying dehydration of antigorite-bearing serpentinite 14. Bex Robertson Postgraduate Investigating co-seismic reactions in fault cores 15. Sean Ruffell Postgraduate First time-lapse surveys before and after extreme runout canyon-flushing flows in the Congo Canyon
28
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16. Chris Saville Staff Comparison of the Morphology of Alluvial Fan Type Features on Mars to the Qaidam Basin, China 17. Cameron Smart Undergraduate Isotopic carbon: the origins of eclogitic diamond, and the deep carbon cycle 18. Alexandra Sweeney Postgraduate The Heat Beneath Our Feet 19. Jennifer Taylor Postgraduate Tracking past sea-level changes via isotope geochemistry: Insights from a Holocene post- Last Glacial Maximum record, NW Scotland 20. Ariane Loisel Postgraduate Determining the vertical scale in videos of fissure eruptions from gravitational acceleration of single clasts at their zenith
29
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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Poster Abstracts 1. Heda Agic
components contributing to bulk C-isotope records and offer insights into Precambrian carbon
Individual organic-walled microfossil
δ13 C
cycle.
decoupled from positive δ13 Corg excursions
2. Ceri Allgood
in the Neoproterozoic
Dykes are more complicated than you might Isolating a primary carbon cycle signature in
think
Proterozoic rocks and interpreting deep time δ13 Corg records is a challenge. Shale δ13 Corg
A detailed study of dykes in the Teno Massif,
records the isotopic composition of organic C
Tenerife, unearthed several interesting features
derived from a breadth of carbon sources, some
that challenge the way we think about dykes and
of which may be decoupled from the exogenic
their emplacement. Far from being simple, lin-
C cycle. In addition to bulk and compound-
ear, planar features, the dykes were found to
specific
δ13 C
org ,
primary organic C is recorded
have a complex geometry, with vertical and lat-
in organic-walled microfossils (OWM), compris-
eral variations in width, dip, strike and internal
ing the remains of both prokaryotes and euka-
textures. Every dyke studied was segmented,
ryotes including benthic mat-builders. We ana-
with segments varying in length from tens of
lyzed the C-isotopic composition of >300 OWM
centimetres to a few hundred metres. Most
from the Tonian Chuar Group in Arizona, USA,
importantly, the same dyke could be found to
using nano-EA-IRMS with the goal to under-
be segmented in both vertical and horizontal
stand heterogeneous carbon components and
cross-sections, suggesting that its overall 3D
acquire insight into OWM palaeoecology. The
shape consists of a series of branching, overlap-
analysed microfossils are consistently offset
ping, plate-like lobes. Within the dykes, textures
from the bulk
δ13 C
and do not follow changes
were commonly found to show a banded pat-
in the δ13 Corg of shale. Strata recording positive
tern, either showing variation in the type, size
δ13 C
or concentration of phenocrysts, or in the size
org
org
excursions of two excursions in Tan-
ner and Awatubi members (up to -15 ‰), con-
or concentration of vesicles. Banded margins
tain OWM that have a broad range of C-isotope
were particularly common, though not always
values (-33 to -18.8‰, and the average OWM
present. The formation of banded textures could
value per sample is -25.4‰, n=152). As excur-
have several causes, from sequential magma
sions are not recorded in short-lived OWM, there
pulses, fluctuating flow rates, a changing com-
are likely other factors causing positive
δ13 C
position, or flow differentiation. In light of these
org
values. The most enriched component of sed-
findings, it seems that dyke emplacement is not
imentary OM in the Chuar Group are dark ker-
a simple process involving one magma injec-
ogen clasts, averaging at -16‰. The kerogens
tion that propagates upwards, stalls, then rapidly
have higher thermal maturity than OWM and
solidifies. Instead, we propose that the trans-
were probably transported. These results show
port of magma towards the surface is pulsatory
that fine scale sedimentary OM measurements
in nature, involving stalling and restarting, split-
and OWM can be used to tease apart carbon
ting into segments, developing preferential flow 30
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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paths and leaving behind failed branches as off-
Characterising near-fault deformation in the
shoots. This could have implications for the way
Apennines through the use of
we interpret dykes in the field, and the way we
high-resolution Pleiades optical satellite data
interpret seismicity indicating subsurface magma transport.
Bob Elliott, Ken McCaffrey, Richard Walters (all Durham University), Dave Mackenzie (3vGeomatics), Laura Gregory (Leeds
3. Lorna Baker
University)
Nitrogen isotopes in upwelling systems: a
Characterising near-fault deformation can im-
proxy for ocean hypoxia
prove understanding of how major co-seismic slip at depth is transferred to the surface. De-
Globally there are four major Eastern Boundary
formation observed close to the fault scarp can
Currents (EBUS) associated with systems of up-
identify where there has been shallow slip de-
welling – all of which exhibit some of the most
ficit, and the role of minor faults adjacent to
productive ecosystems in the ocean. Whilst
the main faults as controlling influences in co-
Eastern Boundary Upwelling Currents (EBUS)
seismic slip distribution. However, field work and
occupy less than 2% of the global ocean area,
remote sensing techniques such as InSAR and
20% of global fish catches are sourced here.
GNSS are often inefficient or unreliable in char-
As changing global climate drives upwelling-
acterising near-fault deformation due to expos-
favourable winds, both nitrogen (δ15 N) con-
ure and data resolution issues. We used high
centrations and productivity have increased
resolution topographical models from optical
in EBUS. Associated with increases in pro-
satellite data from the Pleiades constellations
ductivity, the occurrence of hypoxic events is
to help identify the co-seismic deformation asso-
more frequent, marked by decreasing concen-
ciated with the 30th October 2016 Norcia earth-
trations of dissolved oxygen concentrations
quake. We jointly inverted a total of 11 datasets
in some systems. To study the effect that in-
including Pleiades-derived DEM difference data,
creased nitrate upwelling has on productivity
InSAR and GNSS (far-field and short baseline)
and ocean hypoxia, this poster will compare the
for slip at depth following the method of Okada
δ15 N and δ15 NO3− concentrations of two East-
(1985). Compared to previous models derived
ern Boundary Upwelling Systems: the California
from geodetic datasets, we used a relatively
and Benguela Current Systems. As each up-
complicated fault geometry set-up in the area
welling zone has unique biogeochemical char-
covered by the Pleiades datasets. By combin-
acteristics, it may be deduced that each will re-
ing the near-fault input provided by the Pleiades
spond differently to intensifying upwelling and
data with far-field data we were able to model
therefore the extent of oxygen depletion. Sub-
near-surface slip as well as slip at depth with a
sequently, this analysis investigates the relationship between nitrogen supply and productivity as a proxy for ocean hypoxia, specifically exploring
good fit to the Pleiades data, without losing the fit to the far-field data. The results show remarkable detail of slip transfer from the main faults
the responses of EBUS ecosystems to changing
onto minor structures in the hanging wall of the
climates and oceanic warming and providing re-
Monte Vettore fault within the top 2 km below the
commendations for further research.
surface. Slip vectors near the surface also dis-
4. Bob Elliot
play considerable divergence from slip vectors 31
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at depth. This research provides valuable insight
indices may be a powerful tool to explore the in-
into the distribution of near-fault co-seismic slip
fluence of structural inheritance on other active
in an area of complex faulting,
rifts like East Africa or Baikal. 6. Annabelle Foster
5. Malte Froemchen How topography records the influence of
Explosive textures found in rhyolitic lava,
inheritance on active rifting in the Shanxi
Hrafntinnuhryggur, Iceland
Graben, North China
A. Fostera , F, B. Wadswortha , M, C.S. Humphreysa , H. Tuffenb , H, E. Unwinb
Many rifts are influenced by pre-existing struc-
(a) Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE
tures and heterogeneities during their evolu-
(b) The Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster
tion, a process known as structural inheritance.
annabelle.foster@durham.ac.uk
Structural inheritance is well explored in offshore rift settings due to the availability of 3D
Silicic volcanoes can produce the most dev-
seismic data. However, the degree of structural
astating explosive eruptions on Earth or gently
inheritance in onshore active rifts is more dif-
emit lava. Recent rhyolitic eruptions at Volcán
ficult to constrain due to a lack of subsurface
Chaitén and Cordon Caulle (2008-09 and 2011-
datasets. Yet, understanding how structural in-
12 respectively), both in Chile, demonstrate that
heritance influences early rift evolution is vital
both effusive and explosive eruption styles can
to better understand seismic risk. The Shanxi
occur coincidently from the same vent. Magmas
Graben in the North of China is a densely pop-
that feed effusive and explosive eruptions ap-
ulated active rift system that is believed to have
pear to start out with similar dissolved volatile
formed along the trend of the Proterozoic Trans
abundances at their storage regions, however,
North China Orogen. However, the influence
effusively erupted products always have lower
of these Proterozoic structures on the present-
H2 O concentrations than their explosive counter-
day rifting is poorly constrained. Here we show
parts, which implies eruption style is not dictated
how the impact of structural inheritance on a
by volatile exsolution but is a consequence of
young active rift may be investigated using tec-
outgassing in the shallow conduit. Therefore, we
tonic geomorphological techniques. Using the
aim to use detailed fieldwork to explore the shal-
geomorphic expression of active faults, we can
low outgassing processes in the conduit, and
quantify their geomorphic response and identify
to reconcile observed rhyolitic eruption styles
faults that show higher levels of activity. Our
with models of magma transport processes from
results show that large basin bounding faults
storage to surface. Here we present a detailed
broadly follow the trends of basement fabrics,
characterisation of silicic lava at Hrafntinnuhryg-
while smaller fault segments that link the main
gur, Krafla, Iceland, emplaced during a rhyolitic
basins show higher levels of geomorphic re-
fissure eruption. The lava represents shallow,
sponse but crosscut the basement fabrics. We
late-stage conduit-plugging material, with mul-
interpret that those large faults formed first along
tiple lithofacies containing heterogeneous tex-
trend of basement fabrics, while faults in the
tures such as healed fractures, healed brec-
linkage zones formed later due to stress field
ciated and flow-banded obsidian, and poorly
perturbation by the major rift faults. Geomorphic
sintered particles of obsidian in open-fracture 32
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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systems. Additionally, in the feeder dyke, ex-
using scanning electron microscope (SEM) ima-
posed at the southern edge of the ridge, round
ging of thin sections though the clasts, and of
primary pumice pyroclasts and pumice brec-
the external faces, and x-ray computed tomo-
cia grades into dense obsidian. These textures
graphy of whole clasts. We will analyse im-
are all interpreted to be closely associated with
agery to determine bubble size distributions
fragmentation and sintering, short-range clast
(BSD), and to describe the distinctive glazed
transport, and repeated cycles of erosion and
surfaces and vesicle shapes. We will synthes-
deposition in the conduit. Therefore, we suggest
ize these data to infer a formation mechanism
that the lava at Hrafntinnuhryggur has a purely
for these various glazed pyroclasts. Based on
explosive origin, followed by sintering and late-
initial examination, our current interpretation is
stage lava emplacement. With reference to ex-
that these pyroclasts spent an extended period
amples elsewhere, such as Big Obsidian Flow,
within the hot fountain, keeping the external
Oregon and Mule Creek, New Mexico, we sug-
faces of the pyroclasts hot for longer than is typ-
gest that other apparently effusive silicic lavas
ical of fountain products. This allowed time for
and plugs are the remnants of explosively erup-
bubbles near the edge of the clast to burst, and
ted ash and pumice that sinter in an increasingly
for the associated liquid films to retract forming
restricted conduit as an eruption progresses.
a smooth, glazed surface that cooled once the clast left the hot fountain environment.
7. Janina Gillies
8. Lucy Jackson Observations from glazed pyroclasts
The Disappearing Bubble Act! Preliminary
produced by fountaining during the 2021
results from experimental observations of
Fagradalsfjall Eruption, Iceland
bubble rise and resorption
Janina K. Gillies*a , Edward W. Llewellina , Richard J. Browna , Fabian B. Wadswortha , and Thorvaldur Thordarsonb
Bubble resorption in magmatic systems would significantly influence the material and dynamic
(a) Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, United Kingdom
properties of the melt, and thus the eruptive behaviours of a volcano. Re-introduction of volat-
(b) School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Iceland
iles from exsolved bubbles into a previously de-
*janina.gillies@durham.ac.uk
gassed melt would alter the melts composition,
The Fagradalsfjall eruption in Iceland included
leading to changes in its viscosity and density,
episodes of fountaining that produced unusual
as well as affecting its physical compressibility.
pyroclasts that have the appearance of glazed
Coupling this diffusive mass-transfer process
reticulite. Initial investigation of these clasts
with buoyant bubble rise leads to a complex dy-
show that they have a smooth, dark grey or light
namic problem where the ratio of rise rate to re-
brown glassy surface that is <0.3 mm thick, sur-
sorption rate (Peclet number) can be used to
rounding a light brown to dark grey interior that
determine which is dominant in system. Devel-
is highly vesicular. The vesicles range in dia-
oping understanding of bubble resorption, which
meter, from <0.5 mm to >20 mm, with the major-
has been scarcely considered in the context of
ity <1 mm. Many of the vesicles are elongated
volcanology, could prove pinnacle to explain-
and curve around the largest vesicles. Here we
ing eruptive phenomena. Post-eruptive obser-
will characterise these pyroclasts in more detail
vations of bubble resorption have been made 33
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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in basaltic clasts and obsidian, where halos of
the flow characteristics of the avalanche and its
re-volatilised material surround a bubble pore
possible triggers.
space. Observations of dynamic bubble resorp-
Here we provide preliminary textural data on the
tion where buoyant rise is also seen are difficult
shear zone layer at the base of a small-volume
to obtain in volcanic materials, however, sev-
VDAD on Ascension Island, South Atlantic. The
eral studies have made such observation in ana-
deposit has a volume of ~ 4 x 106 m3 , covers
logue materials such as molten glasses. Using a
2 km2 and originated from the partial collapse
new analogue experimental system comprising
of the northern flank of the 300ka Green Moun-
of golden syrup and bubbles of carbon dioxide,
tain scoria cone, which sits at 550 metres above
we have been able to add to these observations
sea level. The avalanche flowed 2 km down a
of dynamic bubble resorption. Ten bubbles, ran-
~ 10° slope, before stopping at in a small basin
ging in diameter from 1-4 mm, have been in-
against a lava dome at 190 m above sea level.
jected and monitored over a rise distance of ~
Over most of its length the VDAD overlies an in-
20 cm using time-lapse photography. This has
situ Green Mountain scoria fall deposit that was
enabled estimations of terminal bubble rise ve-
dispersed north during the eruption. The base of
locity, resorption rate and the solubility of CO2
the deposit is marked by a fine-grained, ~ 2 cm-
in golden syrup. All ten bubbles appear to have
thick shear zone with slickensides. The shear
undergone some resorption during rise. Meas-
zone is distinguishable in hand specimen from
urements of bubble diameter over time show
the rest of the deposit by being finer grained and
that larger bubbles shrink at a faster rate than
indurated. The bulk of the VDAD is composed
smaller bubbles, in line with results from previ-
of semi-coherent, metre scale blocks of scoria
ous studies in glass. We attribute this to larger
with a poorly sorted volcaniclastic matrix com-
bubbles rising more rapidly to encounter more
posed of a hetereolithic clast population includ-
new material which the gas species can migrate
ing randomly orientated clasts of basaltic scoria,
into. These larger bubble-syrup systems are
pumice and lavas. The toe of the deposit is frac-
therefore defined by a higher value of Peclet
tured and flame structures are abundant.
Number than smaller bubble systems. These experimental results support a wider study of
Preliminary Back-scattered Scanning Electron
bubble resorption via mass transfer, in which nu-
Microscope imaging of the shear zone reveal
merical analysis is attempting to find solutions
that porosity and pore interconnectivity decrease
for bubble radius evolution with time for systems
markedly towards the centre of the shear zone,
of a given Peclet number.
and clasts become finer-grained, better sorted and more rounded. Experiments will be conduc-
9. Honor James
ted on samples of Green Mountain Scoria using Rotary Shear Equipment to place constraints
Shear zone generated by volcanic collapse
on slip rates and shear parameters. Ultimately,
on Ascension Island, South Atlantic
we hope to understand potential triggers of the
Volcanic debris avalanches occur when volcanic
failure and explore the hazards and potential for
edifices collapse and flow as landslides. They
similar events on the island in the future.
are preserved in the geological record as volcanic debris avalanche deposits (VDADs). Analysis of these deposits can provide insight into 34
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
10. Rhiannon Morgan
#DUESC2022
palm frond waste per year and this waste is currently sent to landfills. In this study, we pro-
The sinuous ridges of the Green River, Utah:
posed that in the arid climate and soil conditions
an analogue for Aeolis Dorsa, Mars
found in the UAE, this date palm waste could be converted to biochar and used to improve the
Mars is currently at the forefront of extra-
water holding capacity of UAE soils. Therefore,
terrestrial exploration. As such, it is vital to un-
the aim of this study was to test whether amend-
derstand the geology of various locations of
ments of date palm frond (DPF) and its biochar
interest on the planet. The sinuous ridges at
could improve the water holding capacity of
Aeolis Dorsa, situated approximately 800km
soils. A mesocosm design and a plant growth
east of Gale crater, have been interpreted here
experiment were used in the laboratory to as-
as having formed in a similar way to the ridges
sess the treatments under UAE summer tem-
seen at the Green River in Utah. Due to com-
perature conditions. For the mesocosm, there
parable environments and formation periods,
were 6 different biochar and DPF treatments
the Green River in Utah can be successfully
(1%, 3%, 6%, 12%, 15% and 18% biochar or
used as an analogue for Aeolis Dorsa on Mars.
DPF in soil) along with the controls (sharp sand,
This study finds that the Green River region in
DPF biochar and DPF). The experiment was di-
eastern Utah shows the progressive transgres-
vided into 3 cycles (wet, dry, and dry without wa-
sion and subsequent regression of the West-
ter bowl (wow)). The impact of the experimental
ern Interior Seaway. Uplift of the Colorado Plat-
treatments was assessed using ANOVA. Both
eau is likely to have contributed to the erosion
Biochar and DPF had no significant effect during
and exhumation of the Utah sinuous ridges
the first two cycles (wet and dry) but during the
through landscape inversion. This is also the
third cycle, the DPF appeared to have better wa-
likely mechanism for the formation of the ridges
ter holding capacity than Biochar. A plant growth
seen at Aeolis Dorsa. As such, detailed meas-
experiment was conducted with 6 different treat-
urements of the grainsize, type, sorting, and
ment (controls - sand, DPF and Biochar; and
distribution of the channel conglomerates and
Biochar at 1%, 6% and 15%). Cat grass was
cap sands of the sinuous ridges of Utah can be
used as a quick growing crop with its height and
used to infer the same characteristics for these
leaf area monitored while the soil was monitored
features on Mars. These analyses allow for the
for its moisture and pH. Water was irrigated dur-
development of a deeper understanding of the
ing the first 3 weeks then the soil treatments left
depositional environments and paleoclimatic
to dry. The results show the greatest growth for
patterns of Mars.
1% Biochar. The processes are being investig-
11. Naeema Al Nofeli
ated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) to assess water binding capacity and strength of
The potential for biochar to mitigate the
the Biochar, DPF and soil.
impact of climate change The United Arab Emirates produces over 44 million date palm trees yearly, where date palm is mainly used as source of food and shelter. Each tree generates approximately 20 Kilograms of 35
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
12. Ahmed Kadhim Obaid
#DUESC2022
estimated depth from the applied machine learning models were 0.956, 0.953, 0.787, and 0.835
Shallow water depth estimation using remote
for the QRF, RF, SVM, and ANN models, re-
sensing and machine learning models: A
spectively. The QRF model represents the best
case study in the southeastern Iraq
result, where the mean of the estimated depth was 109.84 cm and the volume of water was ~
Arsalan Ahmed Othmana,b , Ahmed K. Obaidc,d
1.08 km3. For shallow water, we argue that this
(a) Iraq Geological Survey, Sulaymaniyah Office, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq: arsalan.aljaf@gmail.com
technique can be applied to estimate the depth of shallow water bodies using passive satellite
(b) Komar University of Science and Technology, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq: arsalan.aljaf@komar.edu.iq
imagery in other regions of the world.
(c) Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK: ahmed.k.obaid@durham.ac.uk
13. Bex Robertson
(d) Department of Geology, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq: ahamedobaid@gmail.com
Investigating co-seismic reactions in fault cores
Bathymetric mapping provides beneficial in-
B. Robertsona , C. Menziesa , S. Nielsena , N. De Paolaa , C. Boultonb , A. Niemeijerc & A. Boyced
formation for water depth and volume estimation, which helps in the management of wa-
(a) Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.
ter resources. The detection of shallow water depth, specifically in flooded areas is challen-
(b) School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
ging. However, it is possible with the vast de-
(c) Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
velopment of remote sensing data. In the last decades, large parts of Iraq territories suffered
(d) Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride, UK.
from a drought and water shortage followed by
rebecca.v.robertson@durham.ac.uk
heavy rain storms causing flash flood. The April 2019 flood was one of the catastrophic flash
Clay rich layers in fault gouge are mechanic-
flood, which damaged houses, lands, roads,
ally weak and appear to preferentially focus rup-
and caused loss of people lives. Therefore, it
ture propagation (Boulton et al., 2017; Chester
is necessary to apply fast and less cost tech-
Frederick et al., 2013; Holdsworth et al., 2011).
niques for water harvesting in this dry area and
Smectite, a frictionally and chemically com-
manage flash flood risk. This study aims to es-
plex clay mineral, contains high proportions of
timate the depth and volume of water in Hor
mineral-bound water that gets released at ~100-
Al-Shewicha (east of Iraq). The novelty of this
150 °C on breakdown to illite (Vrolijk, 1990).
work is to evaluate and compare Quantile Re-
Frictional heat-induced smectite dehydration
gression Forests (QRF), Random Forest (RF),
may result in thermal presurization of pore fluid
Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Artificial
within low permiability fault gouge (Wibberley
Neural Networks (ANN) approaches in combin-
and Shimamoto, 2005) and is a slip-weakening
ation with the reflectance of Sentinel-2 and the
mechanism, allowing large earthquakes to oc-
ICESat-2 LiDAR data to estimate the depth and
cur. On the other hand, high proportions of
volume of water in the Hor Al-Shewicha during
smectite can cause strain to be expressed as
the April 2019 flood. Our results show that the
aseismic creep or small, regular earthquakes
coefficient of determination (R2) between the ac-
(Carpenter et al., 2011). Understanding the con-
tual depth obtained from the ICESat-2 and the
trols and timing of its formation during fault rock 36
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
production is paramount to elucidating post-
ility and strength, Alpine Fault, New Zealand. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 18, no. 1, p. 238-265, doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2017.02.003.
seismic fault strength evolution, rate of fault healing, and dynamic fault weakening mech-
Carpenter, B., Marone, C., and Saffer, D. (2011), Weakness of the San Andreas Fault revealed by samples from the active fault zone. Nature Geoscience, v. 4, no. 4, p. 251-254, DOI:10.1038/ngeo1089.
anisms. An excellent fieldsite to investigate smectite is the Alpine Fault (AF) in New Zealand which his-
Chester Frederick, M., Rowe, C., Ujiie, K., et al. (2013), Structure and Composition of the Plate-Boundary Slip Zone for the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. Science, v. 342, no. 6163, p. 1208-1211, DOI: 10.1126/science.1243719.
torically produced large earthquakes and is currently locked (Sutherland et al., 2007). Whole rock major and trace element chemistry of AF
Holdsworth, R., Van Diggelen, E., Spiers, C., De Bresser, J., Walker, R. J., and Bowen, L. (2011), Fault rocks from the SAFOD core samples: implications for weakening at shallow depths along the San Andreas Fault, California. Journal of Structural Geology, v. 33, no. 2, p. 132-144, doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2010.11.010.
damage zone reveals pervasive hydrothermal alteration, with significant additions of carbonate and water corresponding to calcite and clay mineral growth. These fluid-mediated reactions
Sutherland, R., Eberhart-Phillips, D., Harris, R., et al. (2007), Do great earthquakes occur on the Alpine fault in central South Island, New Zealand?. GEOPHYSICAL MONOGRAPH-AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION, v. 175, p. 237, DOI:10.1029/175GM12.
show the greatest mass change and water addition within Principle Slip Zone (PSZ) gouges with produced clays displaying higher oxygen isotope ratios than those within the surrounding damage
Vrolijk, P. (1990), On the mechanical role of smectite in subduction zones: Geology, v. 18, no. 8, p. 703-707.
zone. Smectite is restricted to PSZ gouges and
Wibberley, C. A. J., and Shimamoto, T., 2005, Earthquake slip weakening and asperities explained by thermal pressurization. Nature, v. 436, no. 7051, p. 689-692, doi.org/10.1130/00917613(1990)018<0703:OTMROS>2.3.CO;2.
thus poses the question as to why that is. In this work, we reverse-engineer these mineralogically complex natural samples to simplified synthetic compositions that enables identification of exactly what minerals, fluid compositions, and
#DUESC2022
14. Lewis W Robinson
physical conditions favour fault core smectite formation. To dissect processes controlling co-
Strontium stable isotope behaviour
and post-seismic chemical reaction pathways,
accompanying dehydration of
we study the evolution of these samples through
antigorite-bearing serpentinite
a two-stage experimental procedure: samples
LEWIS W. ROBINSONa , KEVIN W. BURTONa , BAPTISTE P. DEBRETb , HELEN M. WILLIAMSc , VICENTE LÓPEZ SÁNCHEZVIZCAÍNOd , CARLOS J. GARRIDOe
undergo high velocity rotary shear in contact with hydrothermal fluid to simulate earthquake slip, followed by steady state shear akin to post-
(a) Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, UK
seismic conditions to replicate fault core healing
(b) Université de Paris, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, Paris, France
processes. Fully characterising (mineralogic-
(c) Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
ally, chemically, and isotopically) gouges and fluids at each stage of our experimental method
(d) Dep Geology, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Univ. Jaén (Unidad Asociada CSIC-IACT), Linares, Jaén, Spain.
will enable us to identify the effect of changing
(e) Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (IACT), CSIC & University of Granada, Armilla, Granada, Spain.
specific conditions on fluid-rock interactions that control mineral formation.
Serpentinites are ubiquitous in subduction Boulton, C., Menzies, C. D., Toy, V. G., Townend, J., and Sutherland, R. (2017): Geochemical and microstructural evidence for interseismic changes in fault zone permeab-
zones, comprising a portion of the subducting slab and/or the shallow mantle wedge. These 37
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
rocks are believed to be a key reservoir for fluid-
Gómez-Pugnaire, M.T., Dale, C.W., Jabaloy-Sánchez, A., Padrón-Navarta, J.A., Román-Alpiste, M.J. and Garrido, C.J., 2020. Geochemical evolution of rodingites during subduction: insights from Cerro del Almirez (southern Spain). Lithos, 370, p.105639.
mobile elements, halogens and other trace elements in this context. Although serpentinites are widley studied in subduction settings, the
Menzel, M.D., Garrido, C.J., López Sánchez�Vizcaíno, V., Hidas, K. and Marchesi, C., 2019. Subduction metamorphism of serpentinite�hosted carbonates beyond antigorite�serpentinite dehydration (Nevado�Filábride Complex, Spain). Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 37(5), pp.681715.
exact details concerning the delivery of serpentinite dehydration fluids from the subducting slab to the overlying crust and mantle remain poorly understood. Serpentinite derived fluid ligand geochemistry is of specific interest
Padrón-Navarta, J.A., Lopez Sanchez-Vizcaino, V., Garrido, C.J. and Gómez-Pugnaire, M.T., 2011. Metamorphic record of high-pressure dehydration of antigorite serpentinite to chlorite harzburgite in a subduction setting (Cerro del Almirez, Nevado–Filábride Complex, Southern Spain). Journal of Petrology, 52(10), pp.2047-2078.
as this, in part, influences the partitioning of many elements during the metamorphic reactions accompanying serpentinite dehydration. Strontium stable isotopes are useful in determining the nature of such fluids as light Sr isotopes are preferentially incorporated into carbonate or sulfate in the presence of CO3
2−
and SO4
15. Sean Ruffell
2−
First time-lapse surveys before and after
rich fluids. This study presents high-precision 87 Sr/86 Sr
extreme runout canyon-flushing flows in the
and δ88/86 Sr for ultra-mafic rocks from
Congo Canyon
across the antigorite-out dehydration front at Cerro del Almirez ultramafic massif (Nevado-
Turbidity currents transport huge quantities of
Filabride Complex, Betics, S. Spain). Antigorite-
sediment to the deep-ocean via submarine
bearing serpentinites possess relatively radio-
canyons and channels, and are volumetrically
genic 87 Sr/86 Sr (0.708703) and typical mantle
one of the most important sediment transport
δ88 /86 Sr values (0.32 ± 0.02‰). Dehydration is
processes on Earth. Bathymetric surveys cov-
accompanied by a general increase in Sr con-
ering ~ 40% of the Congo Canyon and Chan-
centration. The shifts in 87 Sr/86 Sr rule out sub-
nel were collected in both September 2019 and
stantial involvement of meta-sediment sourced
October 2020. Between these surveys, two
fluids during open-system serpentinite dehydra-
large canyon flushing turbidity currents flowed
tion, as these sediments possess highly radio-
down the Congo Canyon and Channel, trav-
genic Sr isotope compositions. Rather, the high
elling >1,100km and accelerating from 5 to 8
Sr concentrations and relatively unradiogenic 87 Sr/86 Sr
#DUESC2022
m/s as they traversed the system, destroying
compositions point to an additional
two critically-important submarine telecommu-
Sr-rich source with a low Rb/Sr ratio, such as
nication cables that cross the canyon. These
meta-rodingites (Laborda-Lopez et al., 2020) or
are the longest runout sediment-driven flows
meta-ophicalcites (Menzel et al., 2019) boudins
(of any type) yet measured in action. Compar-
found within the ultramafic complex.
ison of the survey datasets showed discernible geomorphic change relating to the turbidity cur-
Dilissen, N., Hidas, K., Garrido, C.J., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, V.L. and Kahl, W.A., 2021. Morphological transition during prograde olivine growth formed by high-pressure dehydration of antigorite-serpentinite to chlorite-harzburgite in a subduction setting. Lithos, 382, p.105949.
rent activity. The total amount of erosion within the whole system is approximately 2.4 km3 of sediment, equivalent to 19-37% of the annual flux of sediment from all the world’s rivers to the
Laborda-López, C., Marchesi, C., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, V.L.,
38
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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ocean. Erosion is heterogenous, categorized
lief of the surrounding area is the major control
as follows: ‘canyon or channel flank-collapses’
on fan deposition, though Mars is also shown
(6%), ‘knickpoint migration’ (24%), ‘outer bend
to favour depositing fans on the northern rim of
erosion’ (6%), and ‘channel floor erosion that is
crater walls, possibility indicating snowmelt as a
unrelated to knickpoints or outer bends’ (64%).
water source. The Martian mineralogy showed
This work shows the amount of sediment eroded
that the catchment areas likely formed concom-
enroute far exceeds the annual sediment sup-
itantly with the fans themselves, and there is
ply from the Congo River (~ 0.2 km3 ). The res-
some evidence of hydrologically altered minerals
ults also show how and where this exception-
on the surface of the fans, though the source is
ally large amount of material was eroded. Some
not known.
reaches show no obvious geomorphic finger-
17. Cameron Smart
print from the events, while others have vertical erosion in the 10’s of meters. Here we present
Isotopic carbon: the origins of eclogitic
what controls the erosion, and potentially where
diamond, and the deep carbon cycle
the safest places are to lay submarine telecomVariability in the δ13 C signature of eclogitic (E-
munication cables across submarine canyons.
type) diamonds implies a unique genetic pro-
16. Chris Saville
cess or origin to that of peridotitic (P-type) dia-
Comparison of the Morphology of Alluvial
monds. This poster discusses the proposed
Fan Type Features on Mars to the Qaidam
explanations for this distinction from published
Basin, China
papers of recent years, culminating in a model in which carbonates within altered oceanic
Maeve E. McLaughlin and Chris Saville
crust (AOC) act as the source of the highly vari-
Alluvial fans occur in craters in the southern
able δ13 C signature in E-type diamonds. Sub-
highlands of Mars. Understanding the similarity
sequently, this leads to improved understanding
of the morphology of terrestrial analogues to the
of the deep carbon cycle and its mechanisms.
Martian fans may allow us to infer climatic condi-
18. Alexandra Sweeney
tions that influenced the processes by which the alluvial fans formed. Morphological characterist-
The Heat Beneath Our Feet
ics (fan length, fan width, aspect ratio; concavity, gradient, local relief; catchment and fan area)
To combat climate change, we must reduce our
were quantified for Qaidam Basin and Martian
carbon emissions. In the UK 50 % of the en-
fans. Use of high-resolution orbital images from
ergy consumed in 2020 was for heating. Mine
the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spec-
water geothermal energy is a proven low car-
trometer for Mars (CRISM) allowed a limited in-
bon technology that can be used to decarbon-
vestigation of the mineralogy of Martian fans. It
ise space heating and repurpose abandoned
was found that the Qaidam Basin and the Mar-
mines (Verhoeven et al., 2014), which are usu-
tian fans were significantly similar in some of
ally seen as a liability (Bailey et al., 2016). The
their morphology. From this, Martian fans were
UK has abundant abandoned mines which are
inferred to be formed by fluvial processes. Ad-
co-located with populations centres, proving
ditionally, both areas indicate that the local re-
a heat resource close to potential heat users. 39
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
Currently there is an increase in interest in
& WARD, R. 2018. Who owns (Geothermal) heat? : British Geological Survey Science Briefing Paper.
mine water geothermal energy in the UK, with
BAILEY, M. T., GANDY, C. J., WATSON, I. A., WYATT, L. M. & JARVIS, A. P. 2016. Heat recovery potential of mine water treatment systems in Great Britain. International Journal of Coal Geology, 164, 77-84.
the 3 schemes under construction in the Newcastle area (Gateshead, Hebburn, and Holborn) and one already running (Lanchester Wines)
BANKS, D., STEVEN, J., BLACK, A. & NAISMITH, J. 2022. Conceptual Modelling of Two Large-Scale Mine Water Geothermal Energy Schemes: Felling, Gateshead, UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1643.
(Banks et al., 2022), along with construction of Seaham Garden Village in Dawdon (completion 2030)(Evans, 2020), at least another 10 in the feasibility stage (Hagen, 2020), and a UK
EVANS, L. 2020. South Seaham Garden Village District Heat Network [PowerPoint presentation] [Online]. Available: https://www2.groundstability.com/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/04-Sustainable-Energy-SGVDistrict-heating-opportunity.pdf [Accessed 12/05/2022 2022].
Geoenergy Observatory in Glasgow which is designed to investigate mine water energy potential (Monaghan et al., 2022). When implementing a mine water heat system,
HAGEN, B. 2020. Development of Heat Networks in the UK [PowerPoint presentation] [Online]. Available: https://www2.groundstability.com/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/07-HNDU-BEIS-Developing-HeatNetworks.pdf [Accessed 12/05/2022 2022].
it is important to assess the potential of the system’s water circulation and heat resource using numerical models. This assessment will be particularly important if there are multiple users in
MALAFEH, S. & SHARP, B. 2015. Role of royalties in sustainable geothermal energy development. Energy Policy, 85, 235-242.
one system. This PhD aims to use numerical modelling to produce widely applicable recom-
MCCLEAN, A. & PEDERSEN, O. W. 2021. Who Owns the Heat? The Scope for Geothermal Heat to Contribute to Net Zero. Journal of Environmental Law.
mendations regarding whether a disused mine system is suitable for a mine water heating sys-
MONAGHAN, A. A., STARCHER, V., BARRON, H. F., SHORTER, K., WALKER-VERKUIL, K., ELSOME, J., KEARSEY, T., ARKLEY, S., HANNIS, S. & CALLAGHAN, E. 2022. Drilling into mines for heat: geological synthesis of the UK Geoenergy Observatory in Glasgow and implications for mine water heat resources. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 55, qjegh2021033.
tem and under what conditions it can support multiple users. For mine water energy to be successful and sustainable in the UK it will also be important that there are suitable regulations around mine heat extraction. This is especially the case when
VERHOEVEN, R., WILLEMS, E., HARCOUËT-MENOU, V., DE BOEVER, E., HIDDES, L., VELD, P. O. T. & DEMOLLIN, E. 2014. Minewater 2.0 Project in Heerlen the Netherlands: Transformation of a Geothermal Mine Water Pilot Project into a Full Scale Hybrid Sustainable Energy Infrastructure for Heating and Cooling. Energy Procedia, 46, 58-67.
there are multiple users in one system, to prevent excessive degradation of the resource (cooling down the system to much and/or too fast), and to prevent one user taking heat from another (Malafeh and Sharp, 2015). There are currently no specific laws around mine geo-
#DUESC2022
19. Jennifer Taylor
thermal heat extraction in the UK (Abesser et al., 2018, McClean and Pedersen, 2021).
Tracking past sea-level changes via isotope
As such this PhD also aims to look at geo-
geochemistry: Insights from a Holocene
thermal regulations around the world and
post- Last Glacial Maximum record, NW Scotland
provide recommendations for regulatory improvements that could be enacted.
Previous paleoenvironmental and sea-level reconstructions from nearshore environments
ABESSER, C., SCHOFIELD, D., BUSBY, J., BONSOR, H.
40
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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have typically required the preservation of
fissure eruptions from gravitational
biological proxies, however, in regions of
acceleration of single clasts at their zenith
poor preservation such reconstructions are
Ariane Loisel*a , Ed Llewellina , Caroline Tisdaleb , Bruce Houghtonb
severely hampered. Thus, this research utilises an isotopic tracer (osmium-isotope system -
187 Os/188 Os)
(a) Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
that is not reliant on microfossil
(b) Earth Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
preservation but is captured by sedimentary organic matter during deposition. Here we apply
*ariane.loisel@durham.ac.uk
a multi-element geochemical approach coup-
Videography is a popular tool for monitoring and
ling osmium with carbon, sulphur and nitrogen
characterising volcanic eruptions. Video records
elemental and isotopic analysis together with
of lava fountains resulting from fissure erup-
X-ray fluorescence, radiocarbon dating and fo-
tions allow us to infer eruption parameters such
raminiferal analysis to Loch Duart Marsh, NW
as fountain heights, exit velocities, and pulse
Scotland, an isolation basin containing Late
durations and frequencies, which may inform
Glacial to Holocene sediments. This study as-
us on the subsurface processes that operate
sesses the suitability of these geochemical prox-
within the fissure plumbing system. However,
ies for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions and
the evolving shape and size of the natural fea-
combines them with the established biostrati-
tures surrounding eruptive vent make it difficult
graphic method of foraminifera analysis to re-
to convert pixels in an image to meters in real-
construct a detailed palaeoenvironmental and
ity, due to the lack of fixed reference points with
sea-level reconstruction of Loch Duart Marsh.
which to compare dimensions. In this poster, we
The Loch Duart Marsh sediment core contains a
present a new method for determining the ver-
sedimentary interval deposited under freshwater
tical scale in videos of lava fountains. We meas-
conditions, the 187 Os/188 Os signature of which
ure the vertical pixel-position of clasts near their
is distinctly more radiogenic (up to 4.3) than dur-
zenith, over successive frames, and convert this
ing marine deposition (~ 1). This reveals that
to an acceleration. By assuming that the only
periods of inundation and basin isolation can
force acting on single clasts near their zenith
be distinguished in the osmium isotope record.
is gravity, we use the clast motion to determ-
The freshwater interval is further supported by
ine the scale – mapping pixels to metres. Geo-
a distinct increase in C/N (~ 6 units). Radiocar-
metric considerations around the viewing angle
bon dating indicates a duration of freshwater
and lens distortions are discussed and correc-
sedimentation of 4.1 ka, with marine ingression
ted for. We validate this method with laboratory
following the freshwater phase occurring at 10.2
experiments using water fountains and vertic-
ka. The application of 187 Os/188 Os geochem-
ally projected light plastic balls, which act as
istry to this site further displays its suitability as
analogues for lava fountains and single clasts,
a technique to reconstruct relative sea-level, a
respectively. An example of field application is
technique that could be applied to basins glob-
then provided from the 2018 fissure eruption at
ally.
Kilauea (Hawaii, USA). This approach will be useful to physical volcanologists for monitoring
20. Ariane Loisel
the dynamics of eruptions that produce founDetermining the vertical scale in videos of
tains and/or ballistics from video records, which 41
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
are becoming increasingly available both from
tourists and volcano-enthusiasts.
scientific teams and from a wider community of
42
#DUESC2022
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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Lightning Talks 1. Mark Allen Staff Fanlands Rivers that cross alluvial fans in Eurasia are commonly cutting down into the fans, because of climate change. 2. Jennifer Hart Undergraduate The fate of microplastics in aquatic environments Incorporating flume mechanics into a mesocosm to simulate the transmission of microplastics through a saturated environment. 3. Rhiannon Morgan Undergraduate A discussion of the merits of a Virtual Mapping dissertation over the traditional dissertation format. 4. Silas Welsh Undergraduate Durham Heritage Coast: Remotely Assessing the Interactions Between Colliery Waste Dumping and Coastal Erosion Colliery spoil on the Durham Heritage Coast has protected the cliffs from natural coastal erosion processes for over 150 years, but now, with tipping cessation and rapid sediment removal, there is an imminent risk of reactivating cliff face erosion with potentially serious consequences. 5. Malte Froemchen Postgraduate Vineyard geology: Does it matter? The ethereal quality of geological units such as Kimmeridigan Limestone or Mosel Slate to produce world class wines has often be highlighted by wine producers, but does vineyard geology actually impact the taste of the resulting wine?
43
Earth Sciences Department Conference 2022
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6. Martin Mangler Staff A new tool to estimate 3D crystal shape from 2D textural data Constraining 3D shape of crystals: how hard could it be? Turns out, quite hard. 7. Pete Talling Staff Seabed sensor array reveals longest sediment flows yet measured in action on Earth Seabed sensor array reveals longest sediment flows yet measured in action on Earth, caused by river floods and spring tides, which flushed a sediment volume equivalent to 17-35% of the global suspended river flux down just one submarine canyon in one year. 8. Sean Ruffell Postgraduate Turbidity currents in perspective Congo Canyon edition. 9. Kilian Eichenseer Staff New tools for old rocks: Bayesian stratigraphy To resolve rivalling hypotheses on the Cambrian explosion, statistical methods for precisely correlating δ13 C records from different sections are being developed. 10. Charline Lormand Staff Apatite mineral: recorder of volatile saturation in mushy magma systems To refine our current knowledge of the behaviour of volatiles in apatite and to decipher their role in magma mush remobilization, we aim to improve existing models of volatile saturation to investigate several published datasets of apatite chemistry in eruption-feeding and porphyry-forming magmas.
44
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