Observation, imaging, and interpretation
Across geosciences, it is crucial to observe, record and interpret data about the natural world. Our group develops novel methods to interrogate the natural world to understand its structure and dynamics and explore the implications of our findings.
Typically, this requires field observation, sophisticated laboratory experimentation, and a combination of experience, intuition, and high-performance computation to model and interpret the results.
Current projects
Optimising experiment design:
Optimal design of interrogation processes and experiments to answer specific questions of interest about any physical system.
Key staff: Professor Andrew Curtis
Imaging the interior:
Creating new methods to image the interior of solid and fluid bodies (Earth, oceans and atmosphere) using acoustic, seismological, electrical and electromagnetic data by developing nonlinear inversion, inference and machine learning methods.
Key staff: Professor Andrew Curtis
4D x-ray microtomography:
Development of novel experimental tools for 4D x-ray microtomography investigations of discrete and coupled physical and chemical processes at subsurface pressures and temperatures.
Key staff: Dr Ian Butler
Measuring the strength of the lithosphere:
New methods development based on maximum likelihood estimation to map isotropic and anisotropic variations in the long-term mechanical strength of the lithosphere.
Key staff: Dr Lara Kalnins
Techniques and facilities
Our group applies a wide range of numerical techniques to explore new methods. In addition, we work closely with collaborators in mathematics, engineering, and informatics to approach common problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.
We develop new experimental techniques and apparatus using the following:
- NERC Ion Micro-probe Facility (SIMS)
- Experimental X-ray Microtomography Facility
- Dedicated mechanical workshop supporting a range of equipment
Explore our NERC Ion Micro-probe Facility
Explore our Experimental X-ray Microtomography Facility
University facilities include:
- Eddie - Eddie Mark 3 is the third iteration of the University's compute cluster.
Learn more about Eddie; our state-of-the-art research compute cluster
Our researchers also work closely with a number of synchrotron light sources based in the UK, USA, Switzerland, and France.
Publications
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(2020) Mjölnir: a miniature triaxial rock deformation apparatus for 4D synchrotron X-ray microtomography. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation *Authors: Butler, I, Fusseis, F, Cartwright-Taylor, A, Flynn, M. |
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| (2020) Catastrophic Failure: How and When? Insights From 4‐D In Situ X‐ray Microtomography.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. *Authors: Cartwright‐Taylor, A., Main, I.G., Butler, I.B., Fusseis, F., Flynn, M., King, A. |
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(2020) Probabilistic neural network-based 2D travel-time tomography. Neural Computing and Applications 32, 17077-17095. *Authors: Earp, S. Curtis, A. |
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(2018) Interrogation theory. Geophysical Journal International, Volume 214, Issue 3, September 2018, Pages 1830–1846. *Authors: Arnold, R., Curtis, A. |
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