Dr David Brown
- Senior Lecturer in Volcanology and Sedimentology (School of Geographical & Earth Sciences)
telephone:
01413305473
email:
David.Brown@glasgow.ac.uk
Molema Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Room 407, 01413305473
Research interests
My research focuses on the complex interaction of volcanology and sedimentology, and their links to magmatic and tectonic processes. My work uses quantitative fieldwork methods, together with petrography, geochemistry and modelling, to investigate volcanic systems and understand their behaviour. I am particularly interested in the physical volcanology and stratigraphy of pyroclastic eruptions and the role of volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks in unconventional energy systems. I also apply my expertise in pyroclastic eruptions to understanding meteorite impact ejecta blankets. I lead Vo@G, the Volcanology at Glasgow research group.
My main research interests are:
Pyroclastic Eruptions
- Pyroclastic density currents and the sedimentation of ignimbrites: using mapping and logging of complex pyroclastic sequences to understand the nature of pyroclastic eruptions, density current dynamics, and the deposition of ignimbrites (in 4-D)
- Particle transport in pyroclastic density currents: using field observations, microCT and laboratory modelling to understand the rheology and dynamics of pyroclastic suspensions
- Caldera-forming eruptions: using field and petrographic observations to understand the eruptive histories of caldera volcanoes and their stratigraphic complexity (in 4-D)
- Ash aggregates: using field and chemical studies to determine how ash is removed from the atmosphere during eruptions
Meteorite Impacts and Ejecta Blankets
- Impactoclastic density currents: using mapping, logging, mineralogy and geochemistry to understand how meteorite ejecta blankets are deposited
- The links between meteorite impact and volcanism
Volcanic/Sub-Volcanic Rocks and Applied Geology
- Competing volcanic and sedimentary systems and their role in applied geology: using field and petrographic observations to understand the 3-D and 4-D facies relationships of lavas and interbedded siliciclastic and volcaniclastic rocks (from a variety of palaeo-environmental and tectonic settings), and their potential as reservoirs
- Diagenesis in volcano-sedimentary systems: using field, petrographic and SEM studies to document the reworking of volcanic material into siliciclastic systems and understand its effect on reservoir quality
- Emplacement mechanisms of minor intrusions: using field and seismic studies to recognise intrusions and understand their role in reservoir compartmentalisation
Research Awards
In 2012, a paper on which I was co-author (Schofield, Brown et al., 2012) won the Young Author Paper of the Year Award of the Journal of the Geological Society. This paper demonstrates that the rheological response of host rock lithology to intrusion of magma controls the emplacement and morphological evolution of sheet intrusions in high-level magmatic systems in the Earth’s crust.
In 2009, I won the Clough Memorial Award of the Edinburgh Geological Society for my novel work on mass flow deposits in volcanic settings.
Grants
2016 |
Volcanic Margins Research Consortium Award |
£45,000 |
2014 |
“Gigantic eruptions during the opening of the NE Atlantic Ocean: the nature and origin of the Balder Formation.” OMV. PI: David Brown (Glasgow). Co-Is: Brian Bell (Glasgow), Simon Passey (CASP), Giles Pickering (OMV). |
£132,265 |
2014 |
“Lithofacies architecture and facies models of volcanic, volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks in the Hreppar Formation, Iceland: understanding hydrocarbon prospects in volcanic rifted margins.” Statoil. PI: David Brown (Glasgow). Co-Is: Brian Bell (Glasgow), Simon Passey (CASP), Richard Brown (Durham), Dave Ellis (Statoil). |
£131,965 |
2014 |
School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at Cities on Volcanoes Conference (Living in harmony with volcanoes, Yogyakarta, Indonesia), September 2014. |
£500 |
2013 |
School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at IAVCEI Scientific Assembly (Forecasting Volcanic Activity, Kagoshima, Japan), July 2013. |
£400 |
2012 |
"Geology and complex fluids: understanding the mechanics of geological processes through laboratory-scale experiments and rheological theories." Carnegie Trust Larger Grant. PI: Mark Haw (Strathclyde). Co-Is: Zoe Shipton (Strathclyde), David Brown (Glasgow), Mike Cates (Edinburgh). |
£21,510 |
2012 |
School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at VMSG workshop (Through the inside of a volcano, Gran Canaria, Spain), March 2012. |
£300 |
2012 |
“Direct and indirect diagenetic effects in igneous affected basins: constraining diagenetic timings, processes and reservoir quality.” NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee Grant (IP-1286-1111). PI: Jon Gluyas (Durham). Co-Is: David Brown (Glasgow), Richard Brown (Durham), Adrian Boyce (SUERC). Student: Samantha Clark (Durham). |
£46,480 |
2011 |
“The interplay of terrestrial volcanism and shoreface sedimentation.” ENI. PI: David Brown (Glasgow), Co-Is: Brian Bell (Glasgow), Dougal Jerram (DougalEARTH) and Richard Brown (Durham), Alfredo Pugliese (Eni). |
£96,000 |
2011 |
“Ignimbrite magmatism in the British Palaeogene Igneous Province: assessing the frequency of large-volume silicic eruptions.” NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee Grant (IP-1207-1110). Co-PI: David Brown (Glasgow), Kathryn Goodenough (BGS). Co-I: Ian Millar (NIGL). Student: Simon Drake (Birkbeck). |
£24,300 |
2011 |
School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at IAVCEI workshop (Submarine and emergent volcanic arcs and associated volcano-sedimentary basins: facies models, petrology and volcano-tectonics, Cabo de Gata, Spain), May 2011. |
£200 |
2009 |
“Direct and indirect diagenetic effects in igneous affected basins – constraining diagenetic timings, processes and reservoir quality”. Chevron. PI: Dougal. Jerram. Co-Is: David Brown (Glasgow), Steve Garrett (Chevron Energy Technology Company). |
£88,000 |
2009 |
School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, Universityof Glasgow, Teaching Award (voted by colleagues and students, to support research) |
£500 |
2009 |
Clough Memorial Award, Edinburgh Geological Society (for novel research on volcaniclastic rocks) |
£300 |
2007 |
“Temporal and spatial evolution of the Mull volcano: the interplay of caldera and sector collapse.” Elspeth Matthews Fund, Geological Society of London. |
£1,680 |
2006 |
Mineralogical Society Senior Travel Bursary to fund travel to 16th Annual Goldschmidt Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, Aug-Sep 2006. |
£500 |
2006 |
Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at 16th Annual Goldschmidt Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, Aug-Sep 2006. |
£340 |
2006 |
EPSRC Grant to fund X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis at Daresbury Laboratory, CCLRC, May 2006. Co-PIs: Martin Lee (Glasgow), David Brown. |
£5640 |
Supervision
Current
- Pamela Rattigan: Stratigraphy, emplacement and hazards of welded and lava-like ignimbrites, Las Canadas Caldera, Tenerife
- Mmapula Phesodi: Kimberlite clusters of the Congo Craton, NW Botswana
Recently Completed
- Jonathan Dietz: Lithofacies architecture and facies models of volcanic, volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks in the Hreppar Formation, Iceland - understanding hydrocarbon prospects in volcanic rifted margins
- Sapphire Wanmer: Characterisation of eruption and depositional processes of volcanic ash
- Charlotte McLean: Shallow magmatic plumbing systems and edifices of monogenetic volcanic fields
- Heather Rawcliffe: Lava-water-sediment interaction: processes, products and petroleum systems
- Robert Gooday (Cardiff): The formation and evolution of the Central Arran Ring Complex
- Simon Drake (Birkbeck): Physical volcanology and stratigraphy of silicic pyroclastic rocks from the Isle of Skye, NW Scotland
- Samantha Clark (Durham): Constraining diagenetic timings, processes and reservoir quality in igneous-affected basins
- Rachael Ellen (Strathclyde): Predicting the internal structure of fault zones in basalt sequences, and their effect on along- and across-fault fluid flow
- Perez, Velveth
Volcano dynamics modelling and hazard assessment at Torfajökull volcanic centre
Teaching
Head of the Geology Programme
- Level 2: Earth Science 2A - Igneous Geology; St. Monans Field Class
- Level 2: Earth Science 2B - Field Skills and Exploration
- Level 3: Igneous Geology - Volcanology; Tenerife and Elie Field Classes
- Level 3: Sedimentary Geology - Volcaniclastic Rocks; Aliaga and Pease Bay Field Classes
- Level 3: Geological Skills - Digital Mapping; Corrieburn and Cumbrae Field Classes
- Level 3: Metamorphic and Structural Geology - Mull and Oban Field Classes
- Level 4: Stratigraphy and Tectonic Synthesis - Stonehaven and Eyemouth Field Classes
- Level 4: Engineering Geology