Department of Earth Sciences

New members of staff

It is a great pleasure to welcome our newest members of staff to the Department -

Dr Fabian Wadsworth has joined us from the Department for Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. Fabian's research is on the physics of magma and the microphysical origin of volcanic processes.

Dr Julie Prytulak has joined us from Imperial College where she was co-leader of the MAGIC Isotope Geochemistry Group. Julie’s research is focussed on the use of mainly heavy stable isotopes to explore a wide range of earth processes in and around the subjects of magmatism, subduction and mantle geochemistry.

(10 Apr 2018)

Department of Earth Sciences conference 7th June 2018

Registration for this year's department conference is now open.

(9 Apr 2018) » More about Department of Earth Sciences conference 7th June 2018

Peering Beneath the Powder: Using Radar to Understand Avalanches

High-resolution radar images from Switzerland’s experimental test site show that snow temperature is a key factor in classifying avalanche behavior.

(9 Apr 2018) » More about Peering Beneath the Powder: Using Radar to Understand Avalanches

Man-made earthquake risk reduced if fracking is 895m from faults

The risk of man-made earthquakes due to fracking is greatly reduced if high-pressure fluid injection used to crack underground rocks is 895m away from faults in the Earth’s crust, according to new research.

(28 Feb 2018) » More about Man-made earthquake risk reduced if fracking is 895m from faults

Clough Medal 2017-2018

The Edinburgh Geological Society presenting Prof Robert Holdsworth with the Clough Medal before his lecture to the Society on Wednesday 21 February. This is the Society’s premier award, presented annually to a geologist whose original work has materially increased the knowledge of the geology of Scotland and/or the north of England, or who is Scottish by birth or by adoption and residence and has significantly advanced the knowledge of any aspect of geology. Bob Holdsworth has been awarded the Clough Medal for 2017-2018 in recognition of his exceptional contribution to research in structural geology and, in particular, in establishing the tectonic framework of the Moine rocks of Sutherland, together with many other notable achievements.

(26 Feb 2018)

UK fracking industry would need strict controls to minimise spill risk

Strict controls would be “a necessity” to minimise the risk of spills and leaks from any future UK shale gas industry, according to new research.

The recommendation comes from scientists who have investigated the possible risk of spills from well sites and tankers used to transport chemicals and contaminated fluids to and from fracking sites.

The research, by the ReFINE (Researching Fracking in Europe) consortium, jointly led by Durham and Newcastle universities, estimated the potential for spills from any future UK shale gas industry by examining data related to the UK’s milk and fuel transportation industries and from the oil and gas industry in parts of the USA.

(15 Feb 2018) » More about UK fracking industry would need strict controls to minimise spill risk