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Geology and Geophysics

Our people

Meet our experts and learn more about their research interests.

Dr Adam Robinson

Research Fellow in Geophysics

Research interests

  • Seismic refraction and tomography
  • Seismic anisotropy
  • Mid-ocean ridges at a range of spreading rates

Dr Catherine Rychert

Associate Professor

Email: c.rychert@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Dr Charlie Thompson

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Coastal Monitoring
  • Coastal Processes
  • Sediment Stability, Resuspension and Exchange processes

Email: celt2@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Dr Derek Keir

Associate Professor

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: d.keir@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Miss Emma Watts

Teaching Fellow in Geology

Research interests

  • The interplay between volcanism and active continental rifting.
  • Links between dynamic mantle processes and Earth surface processes 
  • Tephra dispersal and degradation. 

Email: e.watts@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Dr Esther Sumner

Associate Professor

Email: e.j.sumner@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Dr Hachem Kassem

Lecturer

Research interests

  • Nearshore hydrodynamics and coastal sediment dynamics
  • Coastal and ocean engineering and flow-structure-seabed-biota interactions
  • Adaptive, nature-inclusive solutions to climate-mediated geohazards, including flooding, erosion and habitat degradation

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: hachem.kassem@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Dr Hector Marin Moreno

Lecturer in Climate Sciences

Research interests

  • Smart and cost-effective solutions for joint processing and interpretation of geophysical and geotechnical data from renewable energy developments offshore
  • Geological storage of CO2 and hydrogen 
  • Climate and human-induced methane emissions in the marine environment 

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: h.marin-moreno@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Professor Ian Townend FREng

Professor

Email: i.townend@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

Miss Jessica Rawlings

Research interests

  • PhD Thesis: Constraining ascent velocities of kimberlite magma using diffusion chronometry
  • Kimberlites are an enigmatic igneous rock sometimes containing diamonds. Kimberlite magmas are sourced from mantle depths and ascend rapidly due to their high volatile contents. Despite their scientific and economic importance, many aspects of kimberlite formation, ascent and eruption remain unknown. This project will examine the youngest and freshest kimberlites globally, the Igwisi Hills Volcanoes (IHV), Tanzania. Zoning patterns in olivine crystals and xenoliths will be examined to mechanically understand the evolution and ascent of kimberlite magma. Specifically, diffusion chronometry, primarily of Fe-Mg in olivine, and Li in olivine, will be used to constrain ascent velocities of kimberlite magmas.

Email: j.rawlings@soton.ac.uk

Address: National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus European Way, SO14 3ZH

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