the evolution of the madagascar passive margin - University of ...

The evolution of the Madagascar passive margin
Paul Bishop 1 , Cristina Persano 1 , Finlay Stuart 2 , Roderick Brown 1 and Kathryn
Goodenough 3
1 Department of Geographical & Earth Sciences (GES), University of Glasgow, 2 Scottish
Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), East Kilbride, 3 British
Geological Survey, Edinburgh
*Paul.Bishop@ges.gla.ac.uk
Madagascar is a key area in understanding the breakup of the Gondwana
supercontinent and, more generally, the evolution of high elevation passive continental
margins. Data from other passive margins suggest that the evolution of the first-order
topography is dominated by the tectonic processes related to lithospheric extension
and breakup, essentially irrespective of pre-existing geological structures. Low
temperature thermochronometers, and in particular their combination, provide a
powerful technique to test such models and preliminary fission track data from
Madagascar suggest, that in this case, pre-breakup faults have played an important
role in driving landscape evolution at breakup. This project aims to test the hypothesis
that pre-breakup structures have played an important role in landscape evolution on
this margin. To do this, the student will (i) unravel the evolution of the Madagascar
passive margin, and (ii) determine the role of pre-existing tectonic structures during
continental rifting and breakup.
The student will use an array of exciting techniques, including field work, low
temperature thermochronometers, namely the apatite fission track, zircon-He and
apatite (U-Th)/He methods, and numerical modelling of landscape evolution, to
constrain the post-rifting evolution of the eastern margin of Madagascar to determine to
what extent this margin is consistent with the current models of landscape evolution
during breakup.
Fission track analyses and numerical modelling will be undertaken in our
laboratories in GES, and the (U-Th)/He determinations will be carried out at SUERC.
The student will join a very active research group with world-leaders in the field of
thermochronometry and long-term landscape evolution of passive margins. The
student will join the sub-group of GES-SUERC’s Earth System Research Group that
focuses on passive margins using an array of techniques, including numerical
modelling and thermochronometry (the Supervisors, Dr. Tim Dempster and two postdoctoral
researchers) and DEM and cosmogenic nuclide analysis (the Supervisors, Dr.
Derek Fabel, a NERC Fellow, a Marie Curie Fellow and four PhD students). Very few
places in the world offer in the one group exertise in this range and combination of
leading-edge techniques.
The student will be trained in all aspects of low temperature thermochronometric
analyses, from samples collection to mineral separation, fission track, Zircon-He and
(U-Th)/He analyses and data interpretation, and numerical modelling of landscape
evolution. As well, GES and the Faculty of Physical Sciences offer a series of seminars
and short courses for postgraduate students in research-specific transferable skills
which the student will also undertake.

Application procedure and deadlines
To be considered for PhD studentships to be held in the School of Geographical and Earth
Sciences (GES), suitably qualified candidates should apply via the website of the College of
Science and Engineering
(http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/scienceengineering/graduateschool/prospectivestudents/essenti
alinformation/). Closing dates for University and research council funded studentships will be in
early in the new year, as stated on the GES studentships page:
(http://web2.ges.gla.ac.uk/~mlee/GES%202010%20studentships).
Non- English speakers must meet the University’s English language requirements. Candidates
for NERC studentships should also meet the NERC's requirements for both academic
qualifications and residential eligibility. For more information go to
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/studentships and please note that non-UK European
Union citizens will be awarded fees only by NERC.
For informal enquiries about the research projects please contact the relevant supervisors.
Information on the GES graduate school and the application process can be obtained from Mrs
Jean McPartland, the assistant to head of the School (Jean.McPartland@glasgow.ac.uk ), or
Professor Susan Waldron (Susan.Waldron@Glasgow.ac.uk), the head of the GES graduate
school.