Project highlights

  • This project will use a combination of rock magnetic, magnetic fabrics, and structural geological analysis from the Oman ophiolite, offering a balanced set of field and laboratory activities; 
  • The excellent exposure of the Oman ophiolite will provide an opportunity to investigate the tectonic and magmatic processes operating at mid-ocean ridges; 
  • With this project the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to become an expert in global tectonics, including key processes associated with the beginning of new subduction zones. 

Overview

Oceanic lithosphere is continuously generated at mid-ocean ridges and destroyed at subduction zones. Both mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones are essential components of the plate tectonic cycle, without which all tectonic, magmatic, and associated surface processes would not exist. Subduction is therefore a fundamental geodynamic process that has shaped our planet throughout geological times, but scientists still know very little about it. This is due to the lack of modern examples of subduction initiation, and the logistical problems associated with accessing the locations where subduction zones formed (typically within deep ocean basins). 

An alternative way to study subduction initiation is by analysing rocks that formed above an emerging subduction zone and, for this reason, were able to record the tectonic and magmatic effects of subduction initiation. Those rocks, known as ophiolites, are today exposed in well-known regions. The Semail ophiolite in Oman is the most intact and best exposed ophiolite on Earth, which offers the opportunity to investigate subduction initiation processes in great detail. 

This project aims to examine the most problematic aspect of subduction initiation, which is the deformation induced by this process within the upper plate (i.e., the plate that is above the down-going plate). According to previous studies (van Hinsbergen et al., 2015), during the formation of a new subduction zone, oceanic lithosphere in the upper plate may attenuate by as much as 30 km, indicating either extensive stretching or other processes able to remove a substantial portion of the upper plate lithospheric mantle. Whether the upper plate is experiencing thinning during subduction initiation, and if this is the case, whether this is occurring by tectonic extension or mechanical removal of the lithospheric mantle remains unknown. Ophiolites may therefore hold the key to answer these questions. 

The aim of this project is to analyse using both magnetic and structural geological methods the deformation of the lowermost section of the Oman ophiolite (i.e., mantle rocks) to determine if, where, and how the ophiolite (i.e., the upper plate) experienced thinning. This project will therefore involve field work, sampling, and lab work (described in more detail in the next section). 

Tectonic model illustrating the thinning of the plate mantle.

Figure 1: Tectonic model of subduction initiation showing how the mantle of the upper plate (which is part of a forming ophiolite) experiences thinning during the initial sinking of oceanic lithosphere into the mantle (modified from van Hinsbergen et al., 2015). 

Host

University of Birmingham

Theme

  • Dynamic Earth

Supervisors

Project investigator

Marco Maffione (University of Birmingham; [email protected])

Co-investigators

Carl Stevenson (University of Birmingham; [email protected])

How to apply

Methodology

This project will first involve fieldwork in the Oman ophiolite, where the PhD candidate will carry out sampling and structural geological observations within the mantle section at several localities. Sampling and field observations will be carried out throughout the 7-km thick mantle section of the Oman ophiolite. The collected oriented samples will be cut into standard paleomagnetic specimens and then the internal fabric (i.e., the preferred alignment of minerals) will be measured using various rock magnetic techniques, including the in-phase/out-of-phase anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), the anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM), and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). These rock magnetic analyses, in combination with the field structural geological data will reveal variations in deformation patterns throughout the mantle section of the Oman ophiolite.  

Training and skills

Students will be awarded CENTA2 Training Credits (CTCs) for participation in CENTA2-provided and ‘free choice’ external training. One CTC equates to 1⁄2 day session and students must accrue 100 CTCs across the three years of their PhD.  

The PhD candidate will be trained on various aspects of the project from paleomagnetic sampling and structural geological measurements in the field, to rock magnetic analyses in the paleomagnetic laboratory. Rock magnetic analyses include the measurement of AMS and AARM using appropriate instruments (kappabridges and magnetometers). Magnetic mineralogy characterisation is another component of the project for which the PhD candidate will receive adequate training by the supervisors. EBSD analyses may be carried out in collaboration with external partners or entirely performed by external laboratories. 

Partners and collaboration

Collaboration with external partners for EBSD analysis will need to be established. Alternatively, EBSD analyses will be performed by external laboratories. 

Further details

Further details on how to contact the supervisor for this project and how to apply for this project can be found here: 

For any enquiries related to this project please contact Dr Marco Maffione (University of Birmingham) at [email protected].  

To apply to this project: 

  • You must include a CENTA studentship application form, downloadable from: CENTA Studentship Application Form 2024. 
  • You must include a CV with the names of at least two referees (preferably three) who can comment on your academic abilities. 
  • Please submit your application and complete the host institution application process via: https://sits.bham.ac.uk/lpages/LES068.htm.   Please select the PhD Geography and Environmental Science (CENTA) 2024/25 Apply Now button. The CENTA application form 2024 and CV can be uploaded to the Application Information section of the online form.  Please quote CENTA 2024-B34  when completing the application form. 

Applications must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 10th January 2024. 

Possible timeline

Year 1

Background theory, paleomagnetic theory, fieldwork planning, field sampling training, initial field campaign, preliminary magnetic analyses.

Year 2

Magnetic analyses and characterisation experiment design, second fieldwork (if needed), structural modelling and analyses.

Year 3

Completion of magnetic analyses and consolidation of magnetic properties (publication on this), EBSD analyses. 

Further reading

Maffione, M., Thieulot, C., van Hinsbergen, D.J.J., Morris, M, Plümper, O., and Spakman, W. (2015). Dynamics of intra-oceanic subduction initiation: 1. Oceanic detachment fault inversion and the formation of forearc ophiolites. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 16, doi:10.1002/2015GC005746. 

van Hinsbergen, D.J.J., Maffione, M., Koornneef, L., Guilmette, C. (2019). Kinematic and paleomagnetic restoration of the Semail Ophiolite (Oman) reveals subduction initiation along an ancient Neotethyan fracture zone. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 518, 183-196.  

van Hinsbergen, D.J.J., Peters, K., Maffione, M., Spakman, W., Guilmette, C., Thieulot, C., Plümper, O.P., Gürer, D., Brouwer, F.M., Aldanmaz, E., and Kaymakci, N. (2015). Dynamics of intra-oceanic subduction initiation: 2. Supra-subduction zone ophiolite formation and metamorphic sole exhumation in context of absolute plate motions. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 16, doi:10.1002/2015GC005745.