Geodynamics

The Geodynamics Research Group studies processes of basin formation, basin-filling and basin deformation through the application of field geological techniques, laboratory studies, and computational techniques in imaging and modelling of continental and oceanic basins. Our interests extend from surface processes such as structural controls on sediment transport, and sediment budgets to passive continental margin basins, to deep earth processes (mantle convection and its control on long term plate motions).

The research activities of the Group are diverse but interconnected, internally and within the School. The strong core theme of theoretical structural geology (Lisle) links through to studies of fault propagation, the mechanics of igneous and sandstone intrusion, and fault controlled sedimentation that are all based on the extensive use of subsurface geological and geophysical data (Cartwright and Alves). Studies of sediment transport and 3D modelling of sediment budgets involve new collaborations with the marine geographers in the GeoEnvironment Group. The mantle convection modelling (Davies) is not only trying to understand the dynamics of the silicate Earth as a planet, but also the implications for surface observables such as igneous ‘hot-spots’, heat flow, plate motions and dynamic topography – with links to igneous and tectonic colleagues in the School.

A particular emphasis of the Group is to develop the application of 3D seismic technology to the analysis of depositional and deformational processes, and many of the research students in the Group base their research on the large archive of seismic data in the 3D Lab donated through collaborations with the petroleum industry. Recent developments in this rapidly evolving discipline include a seismic analysis of diagenesis and fluid flow on a basin scale, and the controls on highly focused fluid flow conduits in basins. The development of new quantitative methods in seismic interpretation is an emergent research topic within the 3D Lab.

The Group has a strong interest in carbonate sedimentology (Wright and Della Porta), the geophysical characterisation of carbonate systems and their deformation, and in applications of carbonate facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy, microfacies and diagenesis to carbonate reservoir characterization and to Phanerozoic secular variations. The carbonate sedimentology group at Cardiff University conducts integrated research in sedimentology, stratigraphy and architecture of carbonate systems, diagenesis and geochemistry, geobiology, palaeontology and taphonomy.

Significant results of recent research include:

• New techniques for dating mafic igneous and sandstone intrusions using seismic data
• The recognition of vertical fluid conduits (pipes) in many sedimentary basins
• An explanation for polygonal fault systems
• The recognition of 1000km length scale reaction fronts using seismic data
• The development of novel structural analytical techniques for describing stress and strain which have fundamental implications for a vast array of geological structures and structural suites, but particularly in folded rock masses
• Identifying a new class of mantle upwellings – so called ‘splash plumes’
• First simulations of mantle convection at Earth-like vigour, showing that compositional layering is not required for strong stable upwellings at such vigour
• Development of new techniques for leading edge 3D spherical convection simulations
• Development of depositional model (facies and geometry) of outcrop analogues for the PriCaspian basin Carboniferous reservoirs (Tengiz).
• Quantitative digital outcrop model (DEM and DGPS tracked stratal patterns) of Jurassic intact and continuous high-relief carbonate platform
• Production of first quantified porosity distribution model for carbonate platforms dominated by mixing zone dissolution, using outcrop analogues from the Danian of north Spain
• Completion of forward models to test effects of harmonic interactions of sea-level oscillations on reservoir architecture in ice-house intervals

Current Research Activities

The Group is actively involved in a diverse range of research projects that fall into 8 main themes. These are:

1. Igneous processes in sedimentary basins
2. Geometry, kinematics and growth of complex structures
3. Soft sediment deformation and slope stability
4. Sealing properties of fine-grained sediments
5. Carbonate reservoir architecture
6. Mantle convection and circulation modelling
7. Mantle structure
8. Analysis methods for folds in 3D

External Support

The strong relationship with the hydrocarbon industry will continue to develop, through current links with Anadarko, CGG Veritas, ConocoPhillips, Statoil, BP, Shell, ENI, Petrobras, SMT, BG Exploration, Total, Amerada Hess, ChevronTexaco, Schlumberger and PGS. The Group also has funding from outside industry including Leverhulme, NERC, WIMCS and Royal Society.

Future Plans

The Group aims to be an international centre of excellence for the exploitation of 3D seismic technology in academic research. We see 3D seismic as being one of the most exciting areas for Earth Science research, and our ambition is to be amongst the leading groups in academia for the use of this data for novel and multidisciplinary research. Many of our current research students are using 3D seismic as their main research medium. In combination with the facilities for high performance computing operated by the University, Cardiff now possesses one of Europe’s most advanced 3D seismic interpretation and visualisation laboratories. This new facility supports the modelling of sedimentary processes, structural and rock-fluid processes, and theoretical structural analysis.

The Group (Davies and team) is currently working in the very exciting field of trying to understand the fundamental relationship between tectonic plates and mantle convection. This is in combination with an increasing number of colleagues, currently including Geophysics at LM University (Munich), Engineering at Swansea University, and Mathematics and Computing Sciences at Cardiff University. The group is a leading player in the University Working Group for ARCCA – The Advanced Computing at Cardiff facility – which will soon house a significant (~top 50 in the world) cluster for our work; dwarfing the 200 processor Helix and ~400 processor Cubric clusters that we currently utilise on campus. This, together with the multi-resolution techniques we are developing, will allow us to undertake very high resolution global simulations.

Carbonate research will focus on two main initiatives: quantification of platform architecture and porosity distribution, and interrogating the carbonate and fossil record to determine the veracity of stratigraphic sequences through modelling and novel data analysis.