Overview
Research in Geology studies the physical processes that formed and now influence the Earth. We undertake fundamental and applied research on the evolution of the planet from its surface to the deep interior, from its formation to predicting its future. Research in Geology contributes to the “Transport, Energy and Environment” research strand in College’s Strategic Plan, notably in themes such as “Energy Resources” and “Environmental Change”. Research in Geology falls within four main strands: Petroleum geology and Basin analysis, Palaeontology and Palynology, Igneous and Metamorphic processes and Geology of the built environment. Geology staff also contribute to the research strands on Hydrogeology and Water Quality and Environmental and Climate Change within the School of Natural Sciences.
The Department possesses a wide range of analytical equipment; items which are housed in, and primarily used by, staff in Geology are XRD and XRF, Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometer, Fission Track Laboratory, and specialist microscopes for organic petrology. There is also a palynology laboratory, mineral separation equipment and a state of the art thin section production facility.
Since 2004, research income for Geology totalled about €5.5 million. Collectively staff and postgraduate research students have published more than 125 internationally peer-reviewed articles since 2004. Researchers in Geology receive their funding from a diversity of external sources including Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Enterprise Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Royal Irish Academy, Teagasc, the Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology (IRCSET)/Embark, the Petroleum Infrastructure Programme (PIP) along with several industry sources.