Staff and Postgraduate Students
Dr Nicola De Paola
Contact Dr Nicola De Paola (email at nicola.de-paola@durham.ac.uk)
Biography
2007-Present: Lecturer in Structural Geology, University of Durham (since June 2007)
2005-2007: Post-doctoral position, GSG (Geologia Strutturale e Geofisica), Earth Science Department,
University of Perugia
2005: PhD Structural Geology, University of Durham University
2000: Geology Degree (110/110, first class), University of Perugia (Italy).
Esteem Indicators
2005: RAMSAY MEDAL, UK Tectonic Studies Group
2005: YOUNG AUTHOR’S AWARD, Journal of the Geological Society of London.
2005: FEARNSIDES PRIZE, Yorkshire Geological Society.
2004: Special mention at the Tectonic Study Group (TSG), posters session.
2003: Special mention at the Tectonic Study Group (TSG), posters session.
Grants Awarded
PI for a NERC Standard Grant NE/H021744/1 worth £566,830 (2011-2014): “Fault lubrication during earthquake propagation in thermally unstable rocks”.
The main aim of the project is to investigate whether chemical and physical reactions triggered by frictional heating (thermal decomposition of fault rock minerals) in carbonate fault zones can make faults extremely weak and favour the propagation of earthquake ruptures. This is a multidisciplinary research program where mechanical, mineralogical and microstructural data, obtained from both field and laboratorystudies, will be integrated.
Research Interests
Nicola De Paola is a structural geologist and his research activity is related to the following topics:
A) Mechanics of exhumed shear zones:
• Fault zone structure and architecture
• Deformation processes and inferred slip behaviour
• Fluids involvement in extensional faulting
B) Rock laboratory experiments:
• Porosity and permeability evolution
• Rheology of intact and fractured rocks
• Fluids involvement in earthquake mechanics
• Investigation of seismic faulting by high-velocity friction experiments
C) Evolution, structural character and tectonic significance of 3-D (‘transtensional’) deformations:
• Fault reactivation and strain partitioning
• The influence of lithology on 3-D faulting patterns.
• Natural transtensional folds and associated fracture patterns
• The internal structure of dilational stepovers
Research Groups
- Geoenergy, Resources and Waste
- Geohazards
- The Solid Earth
Selected Publications
- 1: De Paola, N., Chiodini, G., Hirose, T., Cardellini, C., Caliro, S. & Shimamoto, T. (2011). The geochemical signature caused by earthquake propagation in carbonate-hosted faults. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 310(3-4): 225-232.
- 2: Di Toro, G., Han, R., Hirose, T., De Paola, N., Nielsen, N., Mizoguchi, K., Ferri, F., Cocco, M. & Shimamoto, T. (2011). Fault lubrication during earthquakes. Nature 471(7339): 494-498.
- 3: De Paola, N , Hirose, T, Mitchell, T Di Toro, G Viti, C & Shimamoto, T (2011). Fault lubrication and earthquake propagation in thermally unstable rocks. Geology 39(1): 35-38.
- 4: De Paola, N., Faulkner, D. R. & Collettini, C. (2009). Brittle versus ductile deformation as the main control on the transport properties of low-porosity anhydrite rocks. Journal of Geophysical Research (Solid Earth) 114: B06211.
- 5: Collettini, C., De Paola, N. & Faulkner, D. R. (2009). Insights on the geometry and mechanics of the Umbria–Marche earthquake (Central Italy) from the integration of field and laboratory data. Tectonophysics 476(1-2): 99-109.
- 6: De Paola, N., Collettini, C., Faulkner, D.R. & Trippetta, F. (2008). Fault zone architecture and deformation processes within evaporitic rocks in the upper crust. Tectonics 27( TC4017): doi:101029/2007TC002230.
- 7: De Paola, N. , Collettini, C., Trippetta, F., Barchi, M.R. & Minelli, G. (2007). A mechanical model for complex fault patterns induced by evaporite dehydration and cyclic changes in fluid pressure. Journal of Structural Geology 29(10): 1573-1584.
- 8: Collettini, C., De Paola N. , Holdsworth, R.E. & Barchi, M.R. (2006). The development and behaviour of low angle normal faults during Cenozoic asymmetric extension in the Northern Apennines, Italy. Journal of Structural Geology 28: 333-352.
- 9: De Paola, N., Holdsworth, R.E., McCaffrey, K.J.W. & Barchi, M.R. (2005). Partitioned transtension: an alternative to basin inversion models. Journal of Structural Geology 27(4): 607-625.
- 10: De Paola, N., Holdsworth, R.E. & McCaffrey, K.J.W. (2005). The influence of lithology and pre-existing structures on reservoir-scale faulting patterns in transtensional rift zones. Journal of the Geological Society 162(3): 471-480.