Biography
Robert Murphy is a Research Fellow and works with Dr Shane Tyrrell. He holds a BSc from NUI Galway and an MSc in Petroleum Geology from University College Dublin. He has worked in the energy industry for a variety of companies, including Schlumberger, Conoco-Phillips and Tullow Oil, where he variably held positions as log analyst, geologist and geophysicist. He has also provided geological consultancy to a wide range of international energy companies. His current research focus is on regional paleogeographic reconstruction.
The geology of Ireland encompasses sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Erosional processes (e.g. rivers, wind) at the earth’s surface lead to deposits forming in low lying areas known as sedimentary basins. Sedimentary rocks (e.g. sandstone, shale) form when these deposits are buried beneath successive layers. Individual layers represent time intervals where climate and tectonic conditions were relatively constant. My project involves studying these layers, with a view to preparing images that will show what these ancient landscapes looked like, from the mountains all the way out to deep ocean deposits beyond continental shelf margins.
This multi-basin project involves building regional paleogeographic reconstructions for selected stratigraphic intervals. A multi-disciplinary approach is being used to critically assess disparate datasets from both onshore and offshore Ireland, with a view to building basin wide reconstructions of depositional environments. As well as assessing depositional environments within basins, reconstructions will include linking provenance areas and sediment pathways into basins.
Role
- Specialist Staff
Institution
- NUIG
Research Area
- Earth Resources
Expertise
- Offshore basins
