Biography
Claire is a post-doc researcher in the iCRAG Hydrocarbon spoke. In 2016, Claire obtained her PhD in geology from the University of Aix-Marseille, focussing on the tectonic evolution and morphological impact of a large fault system located in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Since, her research interests are in structural geology, including fieldwork and fault imaging, and geomorphological analysis. Within iCRAG, Claire focuses on constraining the Mesozoic and Cenozoic thermal history of the Ireland’s onshore and its surroundings using low-temperature thermochronometers.
The rocks that we trample underfoot during our hikes in the mountains did not always reside on the surface: as the rocks above them were eroded, they may have "traveled" several kilometers vertically upwards before being found in the fresh air, exposed to the harshness of the climate. How, when, and why rocks are uplifted, exposed, and eroded are the questions I try to answer, in order to understand the history of the mountains of the British Isles.
Project title: Determining the Mesozoic–Cenozoic thermal history of the Irish offshore basins and the Irish mainland
Technical description
My research project aims to provide spatial and temporal constraints on exhumation of the British Isles using low-temperature thermochronometers (the apatite fission track and (U-Th)/He techniques). Pseudo-vertical sample profiles collected from granitoids exposed at the surface, together with borehole samples, will be used to constrain the time-temperature trajectory of the rocks through the upper crust. This study will pioneer the use of apatite mapping by LA-ICPMS to control for intra-grain U heterogeneity: a key weakness of the existing laser-ablation AFT technique. In addition, in-situ measurement of apatite halogen content by SEM-EDX will be utilised to explore the nature and differences of granitoids located north and south of the Iapetus suture.
Role
- Postdoctoral Researcher
Institution
- TCD
Research Area
- Energy Security
Expertise
- Basin Evolution
