News
£235k awarded to Christine Peirce/OBIF
(4 Feb 2013) » More about £235k awarded to Christine Peirce/OBIF
Claire Horwell’s work features on NASA website
(1 Feb 2013) » More about Claire Horwell’s work features on NASA website
(4 Jan 2013) » More about Helen Foster wins PETEX prize
DECC funding for Jon Gluyas and Katie Daniels
(4 Jan 2013) » More about DECC funding for Jon Gluyas and Katie Daniels
Claire Horwell becomes IHRR Co-Director
(22 Nov 2012) » More about Claire Horwell becomes IHRR Co-Director
Award to Chris Greenwell for Archean peptide research
(25 Jul 2012) » More about Award to Chris Greenwell for Archean peptide research
Ocean-Bottom Instrument Facility (Christine Peirce) awarded £248,000
(25 Jul 2012) » More about Ocean-Bottom Instrument Facility (Christine Peirce) awarded £248,000
HabitablePlanet - Helen Williams 2M Euro success
(21 Jun 2012) » More about HabitablePlanet - Helen Williams 2M Euro success
Mid-ocean ridge research - £1.5M to Christine Peirce and colleagues
(21 Jun 2012) » More about Mid-ocean ridge research - £1.5M to Christine Peirce and colleagues
Volcanic research in Nature Geoscience
(17 May 2012) » More about Volcanic research in Nature Geoscience
Bob Holdsworth appointed Geology co-editor
(3 May 2012) » More about Bob Holdsworth appointed Geology co-editor
Durham ranked 4th Earth Science Department in UK
(25 Apr 2012) » More about Durham ranked 4th Earth Science Department in UK
BP fund the next three years of undergraduate field equipment
(30 Mar 2012) » More about BP fund the next three years of undergraduate field equipment
European Shale Gas: Risk, Regulation and Research Challenges
(6 Feb 2012) » More about European Shale Gas: Risk, Regulation and Research Challenges
Colin Macpherson to be Chair of NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee
(11 Jan 2012) » More about Colin Macpherson to be Chair of NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee
Durham geophysics research featured on the BBC
(11 Jan 2012) » More about Durham geophysics research featured on the BBC
Richard Davies wins supervision award
(12 Aug 2011) » More about Richard Davies wins supervision award
'OSCAR' awarded to Durham geophysicists
(9 Aug 2011) » More about 'OSCAR' awarded to Durham geophysicists
Geology graduate tells the BBC why evidence shows Newcastle 'was like Bahamas'
(1 Jul 2011) » More about Geology graduate tells the BBC why evidence shows Newcastle 'was like Bahamas'
Durham Earth Sciences success in QS world rankings
(9 Jun 2011) » More about Durham Earth Sciences success in QS world rankings
Promotions for Jeroen van Hunen and James Baldini
(9 Jun 2011) » More about Promotions for Jeroen van Hunen and James Baldini
Jon Gluyas to Chair UK's carbon capture and storage working party
(20 May 2011) » More about Jon Gluyas to Chair UK's carbon capture and storage working party
Durham Earth Sciences ranked in national top 5
(9 May 2011) » More about Durham Earth Sciences ranked in national top 5
NERC-funded Louisville Ridge-Tonga Trench collision project underway
(9 May 2011) » More about NERC-funded Louisville Ridge-Tonga Trench collision project underway
Midland Valley - Academic Software Initiative
(26 Apr 2011) » More about Midland Valley - Academic Software Initiative
Christine Peirce and Gillian Foulger elected to British Geophysical Association posts
(23 Mar 2011) » More about Christine Peirce and Gillian Foulger elected to British Geophysical Association posts
Mud volcano eruptions likely to continue for a quarter of a century
(1 Mar 2011) » More about Mud volcano eruptions likely to continue for a quarter of a century
The Big Picture - new perspectives on large-scale Earth processes
(21 Jan 2011) » More about The Big Picture - new perspectives on large-scale Earth processes
Ben Franklin and Jennifer Pless win AAPG award
(13 Jan 2011) » More about Ben Franklin and Jennifer Pless win AAPG award
Carbon dioxide capture plans could add £60bn to UK coffers
(10 Jan 2011) » More about Carbon dioxide capture plans could add £60bn to UK coffers
Tectonic Studies Group meeting held at Durham
(10 Jan 2011) » More about Tectonic Studies Group meeting held at Durham
Postgraduate Research In Progress day
(9 Dec 2010) » More about Postgraduate Research In Progress day
PETEX meeting prizes
Two Durham postgrads won prizes for their presentations at the recent PETEX/Petroleum Group/AAPG Petroleum Geoscience Collaboration Conference at Earl's Court, London.
Jen Pless – 1st Prize for postgraduate Talks
Tim Watton – 3rd Prize for postgraduate Posters
Many congratulations to Jen and Tim – and to their supervisors and industry sponsors for the collaborative input into these presentations.
Overall, postgraduates and staff from Earth Sciences gave 12 presentations at the meeting. The Durham Energy Institute also had a stand at PETEX
(2 Dec 2010)
Plates vs Plumes: A Geological Controversy
(24 Nov 2010) » More about Plates vs Plumes: A Geological Controversy
£1.3M of work to capture and store the Northeast's CO2 offshore
(10 Aug 2010) » More about £1.3M of work to capture and store the Northeast's CO2 offshore
Triple NERC grant success: £1.5M funding
(2 Aug 2010) » More about Triple NERC grant success: £1.5M funding
Undergraduate Open Day
The Department of Earth Sciences is holding an Undergraduate Open Day on Wednesday 1st September 2010. Sessions will be held at 10am and 2pm when there will be a presentation from the Admissions Tutor, a tour of the facilities and an opportunity to speak with academic members of staff. If you would like to reserve a place, please email earth.sciences@durham.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)191 33 42198
(28 Jun 2010)
Christine Peirce promotion to Professor
(25 Jun 2010) » More about Christine Peirce promotion to Professor
Viv Cumming - Foster Scholarship winner
(3 Jun 2010) » More about Viv Cumming - Foster Scholarship winner
Durham Earth Scientists cover Volcano Crisis
Picture: Dr Dougal Jerram talks about the volcano on the One Show sofa with Ray Mears.
(5 May 2010) » More about Durham Earth Scientists cover Volcano Crisis
Spain trip cancelled.
The Spanish field trip has been cancelled, due to volcanic ash from Iceland affecting UK air traffic. Sorry for the short notice, please check your email asap.
(16 Apr 2010)
Postgraduate research awards
Two of our postgraduate students have just won Geological Society research funds.
Kathy Mather has been awarded a Joseph Burr Tyrrell Fund for research on the thermal state of the lithosphere beneath the North Slave craton, supervised by Graham Pearson
Rowan Vernon, who joins us in October as an MRes student, has been awarded the Annie Greely Fund to undertake a research project entitled:- "The age, geological character and structural setting of quartz-pyrite veins in the Assynt Terrane, Lewisian Complex, NW Scotland", supervised by Bob Holdsworth and Dave Selby.
(22 Mar 2010)
World’s biggest mud volcano not caused by an earthquake
(16 Feb 2010) » More about World’s biggest mud volcano not caused by an earthquake
Prof Jon Gluyas appointed Chairman of the British Geological Survey
Jon Gluyas, Professor in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Geo-Energy, has been appointed Chairman of the British Geological Survey (BGS) Board, effective from January 1st 2010. For more details, see
(25 Jan 2010)
Collins medal of the Mineralogical Society
(21 Jan 2010) » More about Collins medal of the Mineralogical Society
Richard Walker wins Midland Valley Prize
(20 Jan 2010) » More about Richard Walker wins Midland Valley Prize
Chris Lawley - MDSG conference award
Chris Lawley won the best student talk award at the recent Mineral Deposit Study Group (MDSG) conference in Glasgow. The authors and title were Lawley, C.J.M., Richards, J.P., Anderson, R.G., Creaser, R.A., and Heaman, L.M., “Lifespan of a porphyry Mo deposit”.
(12 Jan 2010)
Ramsay Medal awarded to Guo Jiulin (Cole)
Guo Jiulin (better known to us all as Cole) has been awarded the Ramsay Medal for the best postgraduate paper in 2009 at the Tectonic Studies Group meeting in Birmingham, Jan 2010. The citation is Guo, J, McCaffrey, J., Jones, R., Holdsworth, R., 2009, The spatial heterogeneity of structures in high porosity sandstones: variation and granularity effects in orientation data, Journal of Structural Geology 31(7), 628-636.
(12 Jan 2010)
Kathy Mather - Yellowknife Geoscience Forum Award
Kathy Mather won the best student talk prize at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum on November 19th – reward for enduring -20C temperatures! Kathy's talk was: A New Look at Slave Lithosphere Palaeogeotherms and the “Diamond Window” This is an exploration orientated conference of circa 400 people and the prize usually goes to a Canadian student, so well done Kathy.
(21 Nov 2009)
Stalagmites Provide Clues to Changing Rainfall Patterns
(23 Jun 2009) » More about Stalagmites Provide Clues to Changing Rainfall Patterns
Bob Holdsworth - Leverhulme Research Fellowship
(15 Jun 2009) » More about Bob Holdsworth - Leverhulme Research Fellowship
Congratulations to Colin Macpherson - promoted
(15 Jun 2009) » More about Congratulations to Colin Macpherson - promoted
Congratulations to Dave Selby - promoted
(21 May 2009) » More about Congratulations to Dave Selby - promoted
Earth Sciences Open Day - 1st Sept 2009
(20 May 2009) » More about Earth Sciences Open Day - 1st Sept 2009
Earth Sciences Success in the Complete University Guide
(1 May 2009) » More about Earth Sciences Success in the Complete University Guide
Scientists prepare to travel to Italian earthquake disaster zone
A typical fault scarp from the Apennines
(7 Apr 2009) » More about Scientists prepare to travel to Italian earthquake disaster zone
3D volcano mapping in the hottest place on Earth
(18 Mar 2009) » More about 3D volcano mapping in the hottest place on Earth
Petroleum Geoscience Research Forum winners
(17 Mar 2009) » More about Petroleum Geoscience Research Forum winners
Tectonic Studies Group successes
There was a strong Department of Earth Sciences presence at the recent Tectonic Studies Group (TSG) annual general meeting, held at Keele University over 6th-8th January 2009. Twelve staff and postgraduate students attended. Richard Walker was awarded the Shell Prize for overall best postgraduate presentation and also won the Prize for overall best postgraduate presentation. David Moy was runner up for the poster prize. Claudia Carter-Pike was runner up for the TSG Dave Johnson Mapping Prize.
(9 Jan 2009)
Earth Sciences publishes in Science with a BANG
(1 Sep 2008) » More about Earth Sciences publishes in Science with a BANG
Durham at the International Geological Congress
(26 Aug 2008) » More about Durham at the International Geological Congress
Earth Science Contribute to BBC1 'Britain from Above' series
(26 Aug 2008) » More about Earth Science Contribute to BBC1 'Britain from Above' series
Keynote talks and more at Goldschmidt 2008, Vancouver, Canada
(28 Jul 2008) » More about Keynote talks and more at Goldschmidt 2008, Vancouver, Canada
Report confirms drilling, not earthquake, caused Java mud volcano
(9 Jun 2008) » More about Report confirms drilling, not earthquake, caused Java mud volcano
Durham experts board Britain's Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Cook
The Durham experts will lead an international team of 12 scientists aboard Britain's Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Cook which will set sail from Ponta Delgada, San Miguel, in the Azores, on 23 May 2008.
(15 May 2008)
Durham Geochemists edit special volume on highly siderophile elements
(17 Mar 2008) » More about Durham Geochemists edit special volume on highly siderophile elements
The Guardian features Durham research on carbon storage in peatlands
(11 Feb 2008) » More about The Guardian features Durham research on carbon storage in peatlands
Steve Smith wins the Geological Society President's Award
(1 Feb 2008) » More about Steve Smith wins the Geological Society President's Award
Durham geochemists explain problematic signatures from the Earth's core
(30 Jan 2008) » More about Durham geochemists explain problematic signatures from the Earth's core
£1M NERC research grant to investigate subduction zone dynamics
(23 Jan 2008) » More about £1M NERC research grant to investigate subduction zone dynamics
David Meadows shortlisted for Young Author award
(23 Jan 2008) » More about David Meadows shortlisted for Young Author award
Ocean-Bottom Instrumentation Consortium awards
(23 Jan 2008) » More about Ocean-Bottom Instrumentation Consortium awards
Ocean-Bottom Instrumentation Consortium provides seabed instruments for a seismic undershoot of Montserrat volcano
(23 Jan 2008) » More about Ocean-Bottom Instrumentation Consortium provides seabed instruments for a seismic undershoot of Montserrat volcano
Overpressure 2008: Present and Future Challenges – A Research Conference
(22 Jan 2008) » More about Overpressure 2008: Present and Future Challenges – A Research Conference
NERC Science and Innovations programme, UK-IODP Industrial Liaison Panel
(21 Jan 2008) » More about NERC Science and Innovations programme, UK-IODP Industrial Liaison Panel
Fred Worrall: Daily Telegraph interview
Fred Worrall was recently interviewed by the Daily Telegraph, on the carbon storage potential of Britain's peatlands. The full interview can be found via this link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/12/15/eapeat115.xml
(19 Dec 2007)
Marie Curie Research Fellowship
Lisa Baldini has been awarded a Marie Curie Research Fellowship to work on a project titled "INTRA-CONTINENTAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION USING STALAGMITE ISOTOPES AND TRACE ELEMENTS (INSITE)" for the next two years. This project will provide a major route for building further links between the geochemical and earth systems research themes. I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Lisa on her successful application.
(12 Dec 2007)
Prof Richard Davies: Aberconway Medal
(28 Nov 2007) » More about Prof Richard Davies: Aberconway Medal
Earthquake recurrence in central Italy
(17 Sep 2007) » More about Earthquake recurrence in central Italy
Crust generation history revealed by analysis of platinum-group alloys
(13 Sep 2007) » More about Crust generation history revealed by analysis of platinum-group alloys
Elements Magazine Edited by Durham Earth Scientists
Elements Magazine front cover
(13 Sep 2007) » More about Elements Magazine Edited by Durham Earth Scientists
Excellence in supervision award to Bob Holdsworth
(24 Aug 2007) » More about Excellence in supervision award to Bob Holdsworth
Royal Astronomical Society Blackwell Prize for Sophie Bassett
(23 Aug 2007) » More about Royal Astronomical Society Blackwell Prize for Sophie Bassett
Durham research on mud volcano eruption
(2 Aug 2007) » More about Durham research on mud volcano eruption
Fossil bacteria in 200 million year old carbonates
(17 May 2007) » More about Fossil bacteria in 200 million year old carbonates
New work on carbon storage features on BBC news
(30 Mar 2007) » More about New work on carbon storage features on BBC news
AHGS has secured official recognition from the Geological Society of London
(21 Feb 2007) » More about AHGS has secured official recognition from the Geological Society of London
Mud volcano in Java may continue to erupt for months and possibly years
The first scientific report into the causes and impact of Lusi, the Indonesian mud volcano, reveals that the 2006 eruption will continue to erupt and spew out between 7,000 and 150,000 cubic metres of mud a day for months, if not years to come, leaving at least 10 km2 around the volcano vent uninhabitable for years and over 11,000 people permanently displaced.
(24 Jan 2007)
Durham duo win Geological Society Awards
(8 Dec 2006) » More about Durham duo win Geological Society Awards
Slater Fellowship at University College
(23 Nov 2006) » More about Slater Fellowship at University College
A new model for sandstone 'injectites'
(2 Nov 2006) » More about A new model for sandstone 'injectites'
New research on Precambrian glaciation
(25 Sep 2006) » More about New research on Precambrian glaciation
Arthur Holmes Geological Society Fresher's field trip
(20 Sep 2006) » More about Arthur Holmes Geological Society Fresher's field trip
New Fully Funded PhD studentship opportunities
(23 May 2006) » More about New Fully Funded PhD studentship opportunities
Yaoling Niu: GSA Fellow
We are pleased to announce that Prof Yaoling Niu has been elected as a GSA Fellow for 2006. This is based on merit and requires a substantial body of internationally recognised research – so well done to Yaoling!
(23 May 2006)
Geol Soc Northern Group
This year has seen the re-launch of a Northern Group of the Geological Society. It gives geologists in the Northeast a chance to meet and network. Following a successful meeting in February, there will be two talks on Tuesday May 23rd, starting at 6 pm: Geothermal Energy in Weardale (D. Manning, Newcastle) and Reaction Fronts in Sedimentary Basins (R. Davies, Durham). The venue is Central Square, Newcastle. Contact Mark Allen for more information (m.b.allen@durham.ac.uk)
(16 May 2006)
Prof Holdsworth elected to Geol Soc Council
Bob Holdsworth has been elected to the Council of the Geological Society, London, gaining votes from 60% of the Society members who voted. He will serve on the Council for the next three years, from May 11th 2006.
(16 May 2006)
California earthquake study
Prof Gillian Foulger has received a US$185,000 grant from the Department of Energy, to study industrially induced earthquakes in the Coso exploited geothermal reservoir, California
(10 May 2006)
New appointment: James Baldini
Dr James Baldini, currently at UCD in Ireland, starts Sept 1st 2006 as a lecturer in the Earth Sciences Department. His research interests focus on using climate proxies to understand the causes of Milankovitch and suborbital-scale climate change. Specifically, he works on the reconstruction on palaeoclmate using climatic signals recorded in stalagmites.
(10 May 2006)
New appointment: Jeroen van Hunen
Dr Jeroen van Hunen, currently at ETH Zurich, will start on Oct 1st 2006 as a lecturer in the Earth Sciences Department. His research focuses on computational geodynamics, with a particular interest in interactions between the lithosphere and underlying mantle.
(10 May 2006)
Annie Greenly fund
Steven Smith has been awarded the Annie Greenly Fund by the Geological Society of London to support his studies in Italy toward his PhD. Well Done Steve!
(24 Apr 2006)
Christopherson/Knott Fellowship
Dr Christine Peirce has been awarded one of the University Christopherson/Knott Fellowships for next year. It is rare for one of these to go to a non-Professorial member of staff, so especially well done, Chris
(24 Apr 2006)
Funded PhD Project in Marine Geophysics
(11 Apr 2006) » More about Funded PhD Project in Marine Geophysics
Rocks and Landscape of the North Pennines
(10 Feb 2006) » More about Rocks and Landscape of the North Pennines
Special seminar Monday 13th Feb: The Middle Pleistocene Transition
(8 Feb 2006) » More about Special seminar Monday 13th Feb: The Middle Pleistocene Transition
Postgrad wins International Midland Valley Structural Geology Prize 2005
(25 Jan 2006) » More about The
Dr Nicola De Paola Geological Society of London Young Author 2005
(9 Jan 2006) » More about Dr Nicola De Paola Geological Society of London Young Author 2005
Durham Centre for Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Led by Earth Sciences, a number of Departments and research centres at the University of Durham, together with Halcrow Group Ltd and Geospatial Research Ltd have established the Durham Centre for Terrestrial Laser Scanning (CeTLS
(13 Dec 2005) » More about Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Howard Armstrong has been awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award
Congratulations to Howard on being awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award by the University. This is the fourth award in a row for this Department.
(12 Dec 2005)
New Member of Staff - Holly Morgan
Please welcome Holly, who is a new member of the Administrative staff. Holly will be assisting Karen and Janice.
(8 Dec 2005)
SRIF3 Funding Success
CeREES put together a successful joint SRIF bid for £2.6M with the Durham Centre for Renewable Energy entitled "Durham Energy Research: Renewable and Earth Energy Resources for a Sustainable Future".
(8 Dec 2005) » More about SRIF3 Funding Success
Professor Gillian Foulger, Earth Sciences, wins Royal Astronomical Society’s Price Medal.
(19 Oct 2005) » More about The Award
Researchers in the Department of Earth Sciences unravel a long-outstanding problem on ice age climate change and sea-level rise.
(17 Oct 2005) » More about Researchers in the Department of Earth Sciences unravel a long-outstanding problem on ice age climate change and sea-level rise.
University of the Year 2005/06
Durham University has secured the title of ‘University of the Year’ in the new Sunday Times annual guide to universities.
(17 Oct 2005)