Our research is diverse and interdisciplinary, utilizing a range of tools and datasets to answer pressing questions of relevance to scientists and the general public. Here are a few topics that we are actively investigating:
Modern Sedimentary Environments
Modern nearshore and shallow marine depositional systems provide an opportunity to link active sedimentary processes to their deposits. These details can be used to better understand the sedimentary record of Earth’s past surface processes and environments. We have undertaken modern research in BC (Canada) and are currently working on modern estuaries on New Zealand’s North Island.
Carbon Geostorage
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has the potential to significantly abate climate change. Storage in geological formations is one of the primary mechanisms used for CCS, but requires detailed reservoir modelling to accurately predict the long term fate of injected carbon dioxide. We have worked on CCS projects in Alberta (Canada) and Queensland (Australia).
Porosity and Permeability in Bioturbated Sediments
The burrowing activity of invertebrates affects the sorting characteristics of sediments and, as a result, strongly impacts porosity and permeability. These biogenic changes to the sediment texture have important implications to fluid flow in subsurface strata (i.e., water, oil, natural gas). We have undertaken reservoir studies in the Cretaceous Viking Fm and Medicine Hat Member, Niobrara Fm from Alberta (Canada). Presently, we are collaborating with workers overseas on various other examples of biogenic permeability.
Seismic Geomorphology
Extracting and mapping various attributes (amplitude, coherence, curvature, etc) from 3D seismic datasets is very helpful for visualizing the geomorphic characteristics and evolution of sedimentary environments from Earth’s past. This can give crucial insights into how sedimentary processes and external factors interact to deliver sediment from source areas to sinks. We are presently investigating the offshore Taranaki Basin (New Zealand) region using seismic geomorphology to better understand the evolution of Miocene deep water systems.
Sedimentary Environments and Analogues Research Group 