Fully funded PhD studentship in fracturing and permeability of volcanic systems at the UCL
From: "Smith, Rosanna" <rosanna.smith@xxxxxxxxx>
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Dear Volcano list members,
Research Question
Fracture of rock and crystal growth in veins and fractures at high temperature are important agents in volcanic system. Rock failure in the volcanic edifice, i.e. the high temperature fracture, leads to the opening of new pathways, which allows pressure to be released. On the other hand rapid crystallization can be the agent for large excess pressures to be maintained by sealing fractures. Competition between the two results in complex behaviour, which controls lava dome eruptions. However the understanding of these controls is poor. This lends itself to an integrated laboratory experimental and fieldwork campaign to ascertain the mechanics and physics of high temperature fracture growth and crystallization. In this project, the student will undertake fieldwork on Mt St Helens and Long Valley Caldera, as a comparison of two different volcanic systems, to analyse and quantify the fracture networks and the crystallization within fractures, and the relationship between fracture and high-temperature deformation, in recently erupted materials. The student will use the high-pressure/high-temperature rock deformation apparatus in the Rock and Ice Physics Laboratory at UCL to perform rock fracture experiments under conditions simulating in the shallow volcanic edifice. Fault healing by crystallization and sealing in the presence of pore fluids will also be investigated. The data generated will provide key input to quantitative geomechanical models of volcano deformation currently being developped in collaboration with colleagues at the Cascades Volcano Observatory.
Supervisors
Professor Peter Sammonds (IRDR and Earth Sciences), Professor Philip Meredith (Earth Sciences), Dr Hugh Tuffen (Lancaster), Dr Rosanna Smith (IRDR)
Duration and Funding
The studentship is funded with a £15,590 annual stipend, university fees and research expenses for three years for home and EU students.
Student Prerequisites
A successful candidate will have a good honours degree in earth
sciences, geophysics, geology or related subject, with an enthusiasm for
fieldwork and an aptitude for laboratory experiments. An MSci, MS, MSc
or MRes degree would be an advantage.
Funding is available to EU students only.
For further information
See the project description at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/rdr/PhD-studentships-available/volcanic-fracture-permeability-phd-studentship and contact Professor Peter Sammonds. Application deadline is 2nd January.
How to Apply
Please make an online application here. You should apply for RRDEARSING01 Research Degree: Earth Sciences Full-time 2012/13. Applicants should also send an electronic copy of their application to Professor Peter Sammonds
UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction,
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