Constraining the thermal and temporal evolution of basaltic magmatic systems

Basaltic systems account for the vast majority of volcanism on Earth. Recent eruptions in Iceland (e.g the 2021 Fargradalsfjall eruption, Halldórsson et al., 2022) and Hawaii (e.g., the 2018 eruption of Kilauea, Gansecki et al., 2019) show that eruptions from basaltic systems can pose a significant hazard to local communities and infrastructure. Much effort has gone into understanding final entrainment and mixing timescales in basaltic systems, but not long term storage and thermal evolution (e.g. cold versus warm storage). The project will combine state-of-the-art microanalytical techniques housed at Nanyang Technological University, such as FEG-EPMA, SEM, EBSD and LA-ICP-MS, with numerical modelling methods to understand the thermal storage conditions and temporal evolution of eruptible mushes in basaltic systems in different tectonic environments. Storage conditions will be constrained using mineral and glass geothermobarometers, whilst mush pile thickness will be estimated using olivine piezometry as constrained using subgrain deformation patterns (Wieser et al., 2020). Timescales of pre-eruptive crystal storage, mobilisation and ascent will be constrained using diffusion chronometry of trace elements (Li, Mg, Sr and Ba) in plagioclase. This will use new advancements in diffusion chronometry (e.g. DFENS, Mutch et al., 2021) and partitioning models of trace elements in plagioclase (e.g. Mutch et al., 2022). The student will have the opportunity to work on samples from Iceland (e.g., Borgahraun) and mid-ocean ridge systems (MORB) in order to understand how large-scale tectonic processes such as spreading rate and magma flux influence storage conditions and timescales.

The student will join the Volcanic and Igneous Petrology Group and be a part of the vibrant research communities of the Asian School of the Environment. They will get training in sample preparation, microanalytical techniques, modelling techniques and scientific writing. There are also funded opportunities to present their research at international conferences.

Candidates with a strong background in geochemistry, petrology and volcanology are encouraged to apply, but this is not a requirement. Computational skills and prior analytical experience would be beneficial, but can also be taught during the program.

The student will be required to start as part of the August 2025 intake. For full consideration of your application, applicants are encouraged to apply before January 15th 2025.

If you are interested in applying please send Dr. Euan Mutch a copy of your CV, a cover letter discussing your previous research experience, skills and motivation to pursue a PhD at NTU, and email addresses of 2 referees.

Questions and application materials can be sent to Dr. Euan Mutch ([email protected]).