Research Strands

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.

Petroleum geology and Basin analysis

This research strand investigates aspects of the sedimentary basin system on a variety of scales, from field-based studies in frontier petroleum provinces to provenance analysis of reservoirs.  Projects integrate structural, sedimentological and thermal history studies and span the fundamental and petroleum geosciences.

David Chew, Geoffrey Clayton, Quentin Crowley, Robert Goodhue, John Graham, Christopher Nicholas, George Sevastopulo

Palaeontology and Palynology

Trinity College, Dublin has had a long-standing tradition in this area, and today researchers are currently engaged in research in Ireland, Britain, Continental Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Africa.  Members have particular expertise in a number of biological groups including bryozoans, cephalopods, echinoderms, and palynomorphs.

Current and recent projects include various  biostratigraphic and taxonomic studies of palynomorphs in the USA, and their use in organic petrology, maturation and hydrocarbon source rock studies.  Research in Ireland, Eastern Africa and Oman has focussed on past climates and sea-level changes at critical stages in the Earth’s past as determined by stable isotopes.  Other studies have comprised evaluations of fossil trophic systems, the taxonomic status of Palaeozoic bryozoans, and the erection of biostratigraphic frameworks.  Several staff members have been closely associated with global correlation and stratigraphic correlation programmes.

Geoffrey Clayton, Peter Coxon, Margaret Duncan, Robin Edwards, Fraser Mitchell, Charles Holland, Christopher Nicholas, George Sevastopulo, Patrick Wyse Jackson

Igneous and Metamorphic processes

This strand includes physical, chemical (use of radiogenic isotopes and geochronology) and theoretical (computer modeling) studies of diverse processes such as granulite and eclogite metamorphism, meteorite studies and the formation of planets, subduction zone metamorphism and magmatism, orogenesis and granite magmatism, continental break-up and hot-spot magmatism, ophiolite formation and Archean - Paleoproterozoic tectonics.

David Chew, Quentin Crowley, Ian Sanders

Geology of the built environment

Research in this area (strand) covers all aspects of the use of stone and unconsolidated deposits as building materials.  Examples include the use of crushed stone and gravel as aggregates, the sourcing of raw materials for making, bricks, glass, portland cement and plaster, and the behaviour of these materials as well as of natural stone when exposed to the weather.

Robert Goodhue, Ian Sanders, George Sevastopulo, Patrick Wyse Jackson