SCIENCE RHD PROSPECTUS
2012 – 17
SCHOOL OF
Earth Sciences featured researcher Contact details www.earth.uq.edu.au phone +61 7 3346 4132 email rhd.coordinator@earch.uq.edu.au Research strengths at the School of Earth Sciences cover a broad range of fields, including geochronology, isotope geology, environmental geochemistry, marine geology, coal geology, structural geology, tectonics, geodynamics and computational geoscience. The combination of internationally recognised researchers and strong industry links enables RHD students to develop both pure and applied projects.
Postgraduate research The close-knit, collegial environment at the School of Earth Sciences provides a broad cross-disciplinary research experience for postgraduate research students. Frequent opportunities for fieldwork are available through the School’s hands-on teaching approach and its active overseas research projects around the world. The key to successful postgraduate research studies within the School is found in the exemplary combination of world-class laboratory and supercomputing facilities. The diversity of onsite laboratories allows an easy access to various facilities, including high-performance supercomputer, stable isotope laboratory, argon geochronology laboratory and geochemistry laboratory. The supercomputing facility at the Earth Systems Science Computational Centre includes 3D stereographic visualisation capabilities and the Altixbased Earth Systems Simulator, which permits development and application of numerical modelling to large-scale finite and discrete element simulation.
DR KURT KNESEL
Dr Knesel is a geochemist who has developed novel methods for investigating isotopic signatures of various material components of magmatic systems and innovative experimental techniques to better understand the physical processes and pathways by which magmas are formed and transported.
rocks and employs the data to unravel the life cycles of active volcanoes and predict potential volcanic events. His work has been published in prestigious journals, including Nature and Science.
Dr Knesel applies high-resolution noble gas isotopic techniques to derive geochronological information on young volcanic
eastern Australia.
His current field projects include the study of volcanoes in the Andes, Brazil, Vanuatu and
Dr Knesel is pictured in the field in Chile.