Dr David Brown

  • Senior Lecturer in Volcanology and Sedimentology (School of Geographical & Earth Sciences)

telephone: 01413305473
email: David.Brown@glasgow.ac.uk

Molema Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Room 407, 01413305473

Import to contacts

ORCID iDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4015-7382

Research interests

           ‌

My research focuses on the complex interaction of volcanology and sedimentology, and their links to magmatic and tectonic processes.  My work uses quantitative fieldwork methods, together with petrography, geochemistry and modelling, to investigate volcanic systems and understand their behaviour.  I am particularly interested in the physical volcanology and stratigraphy of pyroclastic eruptions and the role of volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks in unconventional energy systems.  I also apply my expertise in pyroclastic eruptions to understanding meteorite impact ejecta blankets.  I lead Vo@G, the Volcanology at Glasgow research group.

My main research interests are:

Pyroclastic Eruptions

  • Pyroclastic density currents and the sedimentation of ignimbrites: using mapping and logging of complex pyroclastic sequences to understand the nature of pyroclastic eruptions, density current dynamics, and the deposition of ignimbrites (in 4-D)
  • Particle transport in pyroclastic density currents: using field observations, microCT and laboratory modelling to understand the rheology and dynamics of pyroclastic suspensions
  • Caldera-forming eruptions: using field and petrographic observations to understand the eruptive histories of caldera volcanoes and their stratigraphic complexity (in 4-D)
  • Ash aggregates: using field and chemical studies to determine how ash is removed from the atmosphere during eruptions

 

Meteorite Impacts and Ejecta Blankets

  • Impactoclastic density currents: using mapping, logging, mineralogy and geochemistry to understand how meteorite ejecta blankets are deposited
  • The links between meteorite impact and volcanism

 

Volcanic/Sub-Volcanic Rocks and Applied Geology

  • Competing volcanic and sedimentary systems and their role in applied geology: using field and petrographic observations to understand the 3-D and 4-D facies relationships of lavas and interbedded siliciclastic and volcaniclastic rocks (from a variety of palaeo-environmental and tectonic settings), and their potential as reservoirs
  • Diagenesis in volcano-sedimentary systems: using field, petrographic and SEM studies to document the reworking of volcanic material into siliciclastic systems and understand its effect on reservoir quality
  • Emplacement mechanisms of minor intrusions: using field and seismic studies to recognise intrusions and understand their role in reservoir compartmentalisation

 

Research Awards

In 2012, a paper on which I was co-author (Schofield, Brown et al., 2012) won the Young Author Paper of the Year Award of the Journal of the Geological Society.  This paper demonstrates that the rheological response of host rock lithology to intrusion of magma controls the emplacement and morphological evolution of sheet intrusions in high-level magmatic systems in the Earth’s crust.

In 2009, I won the Clough Memorial Award of the Edinburgh Geological Society for my novel work on mass flow deposits in volcanic settings.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2022 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
Number of items: 21.

2022

Drake, S. M., Brown, D. , Beard, A., Kumlertsakul, P., Thompson, D., Bays, C., Millar, I. and Goodenough, K. (2022) Catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions and climate perturbations: the result of tectonic and magmatic controls on the Paleocene-Eocene Kilchrist Caldera, Isle of Skye, NW Scotland. Volcanica, 5(2), pp. 397-432. (doi: 10.30909/vol.05.02.397432)

2018

Gooday, R. J., Brown, D. J. , Goodenough, K. M. and Kerr, A. C. (2018) A proximal record of caldera-forming eruptions: the stratigraphy, eruptive history and collapse of the Palaeogene Arran caldera, western Scotland. Bulletin of Volcanology, 80, 70. (doi: 10.1007/s00445-018-1243-z)

Drake, S. M., Beard, A. D., Jones, A. P., Brown, D. J. , Fortes, A. D., Millar, I. L., Carter, A., Baca, J. and Downes, H. (2018) Discovery of a meteoritic ejecta layer containing unmelted impactor fragments at the base of Paleocene lavas, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Geology, 46(2), pp. 171-174. (doi: 10.1130/G39452.1)

2017

McLean, C. E., Schofield, N., Brown, D. J. , Jolley, D. W. and Reid, A. (2017) 3D seismic imaging of the shallow plumbing system beneath the Ben Nevis Monogenetic Volcanic Field: Faroe-Shetland Basin. Journal of the Geological Society, 174, pp. 468-485. (doi: 10.1144/jgs2016-118)

Schofield, N. et al. (2017) Regional magma plumbing and emplacement mechanisms of the Faroe-Shetland Sill Complex: implications for magma transport and petroleum systems within sedimentary basins. Basin Research, 29(1), pp. 41-63. (doi: 10.1111/bre.12164)

2016

Mclean, C. E., Brown, D. J. and Rawcliffe, H. J. (2016) Extensive soft sediment deformation and peperite formation at the base of a rhyolite lava: Owyhee Mountains, SW Idaho, USA. Bulletin of Volcanology, 78, 42. (doi: 10.1007/s00445-016-1035-2)

2014

Rawcliffe, H. and Brown, D. (2014) Lithofacies architecture of basaltic andesite lavas and their interaction with wet-sediment: Port a' Chroinn, Kerrera, NW Scotland. Scottish Journal of Geology, 50(1), pp. 49-55. (doi: 10.1144/sjg2013-018)

2013

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2013) The emplacement of a large, chemically zoned, rheomorphic, lava-like ignimbrite: the Sgurr of Eigg Pitchstone, NW Scotland. Journal of the Geological Society, 170(5), pp. 753-767. (doi: 10.1144/jgs2012-147)

2012

Schofield, N.J., Brown, D.J. , Magee, C. and Stevenson, C.T. (2012) Sill morphology and comparison of brittle and non-brittle emplacement mechanisms. Journal of the Geological Society, 169(2), pp. 127-141. (doi: 10.1144/0016-76492011-078)

2010

Hay, D., Dempster, T. , Lee, M. and Brown, D.J. (2010) Anatomy of a low temperature zircon outgrowth. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 159(1), pp. 81-92. (doi: 10.1007/s00410-009-0417-2)

2009

Brown, D.J., Holohan, E.P. and Bell, B.R. (2009) Sedimentary and volcano-tectonic processes in the British Paleocene Igneous Province: a review. Geological Magazine, 146(3), pp. 326-352. (doi: 10.1017/S0016756809006232)

2008

Lee, M.R. , Brown, D.J. , Hodson, M.E., MacKenzie, M. and Smith, C.L. (2008) Weathering microenvironments on feldspar surfaces: implications for understanding fluid-mineral reactions in soils. Mineralogical Magazine, 72(6), pp. 1319-1328. (doi: 10.1180/minmag.2008.072.6.1319)

Lee, M.R. , Hodson, M.E., Brown, D.J., MacKenzie, M. and Smith, C.L. (2008) The composition and crystallinity of the near-surface regions of weathered alkali feldspars. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72(20), pp. 4962-4975. (doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2008.08.001)

Mark, D.F. , Kelley, S.P., Lee, M.R. , Parnell, J., Sherlock, S.C. and Brown, D.J. (2008) Ar-Ar dating of authigenic K-feldspar: quantitative modelling of radiogenic argon-loss through subgrain boundary networks. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72(11), pp. 2695-2710. (doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2008.03.018)

2007

Brown, D.J. and Lee, M.R. (2007) From microscopic minerals to global climate change? Geology Today, 23(5), pp. 172-177. (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2451.2007.00629.x)

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2007) Debris flow deposits within the palaeogene lava fields of NW Scotland: evidence for mass wasting of the volcanic landscape during emplacement of the Ardnamurchan Central Complex. Bulletin of Volcanology, 69(8), pp. 847-868. (doi: 10.1007/s00445-007-0114-9)

Brown, D.J. (2007) A guide to the use of volcaniclastic nomenclature in engineering investigations. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 40(1), pp. 105-112. (doi: 10.1144/1470-9236/06-007)

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2007) How do you grade peperites? Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 159(4), pp. 409-420. (doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2006.08.008)

Lee, M.R., Brown, D.J. , Smith, C.L., Hodson, M.E., MacKenzie, M. and Hellmann, R. (2007) Characterization of mineral surfaces using FIB and TEM: A case study of naturally weathered alkali feldspars. American Mineralogist, 92(8-9), pp. 1383-1394. (doi: 10.2138/am.2007.2453)

2006

Brown, D.J. , Bell, B.R. and McLeod, G.W. (2006) A re-interpretation of the 'Centre 3 screens' of Ardnamurchan, NW Scotland. Scottish Journal of Geology, 42(1), pp. 83-85. (doi: 10.1144/sjg42010083)

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2006) Intrusion-induced uplift and mass wasting of the Palaeogene volcanic landscape of Ardnamurchan, NW Scotland. Journal of the Geological Society, 163(1), pp. 29-36. (doi: 10.1144/0016-764905-016)

This list was generated on Fri Apr 26 03:40:21 2024 BST.
Jump to: Articles
Number of items: 21.

Articles

Drake, S. M., Brown, D. , Beard, A., Kumlertsakul, P., Thompson, D., Bays, C., Millar, I. and Goodenough, K. (2022) Catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions and climate perturbations: the result of tectonic and magmatic controls on the Paleocene-Eocene Kilchrist Caldera, Isle of Skye, NW Scotland. Volcanica, 5(2), pp. 397-432. (doi: 10.30909/vol.05.02.397432)

Gooday, R. J., Brown, D. J. , Goodenough, K. M. and Kerr, A. C. (2018) A proximal record of caldera-forming eruptions: the stratigraphy, eruptive history and collapse of the Palaeogene Arran caldera, western Scotland. Bulletin of Volcanology, 80, 70. (doi: 10.1007/s00445-018-1243-z)

Drake, S. M., Beard, A. D., Jones, A. P., Brown, D. J. , Fortes, A. D., Millar, I. L., Carter, A., Baca, J. and Downes, H. (2018) Discovery of a meteoritic ejecta layer containing unmelted impactor fragments at the base of Paleocene lavas, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Geology, 46(2), pp. 171-174. (doi: 10.1130/G39452.1)

McLean, C. E., Schofield, N., Brown, D. J. , Jolley, D. W. and Reid, A. (2017) 3D seismic imaging of the shallow plumbing system beneath the Ben Nevis Monogenetic Volcanic Field: Faroe-Shetland Basin. Journal of the Geological Society, 174, pp. 468-485. (doi: 10.1144/jgs2016-118)

Schofield, N. et al. (2017) Regional magma plumbing and emplacement mechanisms of the Faroe-Shetland Sill Complex: implications for magma transport and petroleum systems within sedimentary basins. Basin Research, 29(1), pp. 41-63. (doi: 10.1111/bre.12164)

Mclean, C. E., Brown, D. J. and Rawcliffe, H. J. (2016) Extensive soft sediment deformation and peperite formation at the base of a rhyolite lava: Owyhee Mountains, SW Idaho, USA. Bulletin of Volcanology, 78, 42. (doi: 10.1007/s00445-016-1035-2)

Rawcliffe, H. and Brown, D. (2014) Lithofacies architecture of basaltic andesite lavas and their interaction with wet-sediment: Port a' Chroinn, Kerrera, NW Scotland. Scottish Journal of Geology, 50(1), pp. 49-55. (doi: 10.1144/sjg2013-018)

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2013) The emplacement of a large, chemically zoned, rheomorphic, lava-like ignimbrite: the Sgurr of Eigg Pitchstone, NW Scotland. Journal of the Geological Society, 170(5), pp. 753-767. (doi: 10.1144/jgs2012-147)

Schofield, N.J., Brown, D.J. , Magee, C. and Stevenson, C.T. (2012) Sill morphology and comparison of brittle and non-brittle emplacement mechanisms. Journal of the Geological Society, 169(2), pp. 127-141. (doi: 10.1144/0016-76492011-078)

Hay, D., Dempster, T. , Lee, M. and Brown, D.J. (2010) Anatomy of a low temperature zircon outgrowth. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 159(1), pp. 81-92. (doi: 10.1007/s00410-009-0417-2)

Brown, D.J., Holohan, E.P. and Bell, B.R. (2009) Sedimentary and volcano-tectonic processes in the British Paleocene Igneous Province: a review. Geological Magazine, 146(3), pp. 326-352. (doi: 10.1017/S0016756809006232)

Lee, M.R. , Brown, D.J. , Hodson, M.E., MacKenzie, M. and Smith, C.L. (2008) Weathering microenvironments on feldspar surfaces: implications for understanding fluid-mineral reactions in soils. Mineralogical Magazine, 72(6), pp. 1319-1328. (doi: 10.1180/minmag.2008.072.6.1319)

Lee, M.R. , Hodson, M.E., Brown, D.J., MacKenzie, M. and Smith, C.L. (2008) The composition and crystallinity of the near-surface regions of weathered alkali feldspars. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72(20), pp. 4962-4975. (doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2008.08.001)

Mark, D.F. , Kelley, S.P., Lee, M.R. , Parnell, J., Sherlock, S.C. and Brown, D.J. (2008) Ar-Ar dating of authigenic K-feldspar: quantitative modelling of radiogenic argon-loss through subgrain boundary networks. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72(11), pp. 2695-2710. (doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2008.03.018)

Brown, D.J. and Lee, M.R. (2007) From microscopic minerals to global climate change? Geology Today, 23(5), pp. 172-177. (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2451.2007.00629.x)

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2007) Debris flow deposits within the palaeogene lava fields of NW Scotland: evidence for mass wasting of the volcanic landscape during emplacement of the Ardnamurchan Central Complex. Bulletin of Volcanology, 69(8), pp. 847-868. (doi: 10.1007/s00445-007-0114-9)

Brown, D.J. (2007) A guide to the use of volcaniclastic nomenclature in engineering investigations. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 40(1), pp. 105-112. (doi: 10.1144/1470-9236/06-007)

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2007) How do you grade peperites? Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 159(4), pp. 409-420. (doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2006.08.008)

Lee, M.R., Brown, D.J. , Smith, C.L., Hodson, M.E., MacKenzie, M. and Hellmann, R. (2007) Characterization of mineral surfaces using FIB and TEM: A case study of naturally weathered alkali feldspars. American Mineralogist, 92(8-9), pp. 1383-1394. (doi: 10.2138/am.2007.2453)

Brown, D.J. , Bell, B.R. and McLeod, G.W. (2006) A re-interpretation of the 'Centre 3 screens' of Ardnamurchan, NW Scotland. Scottish Journal of Geology, 42(1), pp. 83-85. (doi: 10.1144/sjg42010083)

Brown, D.J. and Bell, B.R. (2006) Intrusion-induced uplift and mass wasting of the Palaeogene volcanic landscape of Ardnamurchan, NW Scotland. Journal of the Geological Society, 163(1), pp. 29-36. (doi: 10.1144/0016-764905-016)

This list was generated on Fri Apr 26 03:40:21 2024 BST.

Grants

 

2016

Volcanic Margins Research Consortium Award

£45,000

2014

“Gigantic eruptions during the opening of the NE Atlantic Ocean: the nature and origin of the Balder Formation.”  OMV.  PI: David Brown (Glasgow).  Co-Is: Brian Bell (Glasgow), Simon Passey (CASP), Giles Pickering (OMV).

£132,265

2014

“Lithofacies architecture and facies models of volcanic, volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks in the Hreppar Formation, Iceland: understanding hydrocarbon prospects in volcanic rifted margins.”  Statoil.  PI: David Brown (Glasgow).  Co-Is: Brian Bell (Glasgow), Simon Passey (CASP), Richard Brown (Durham), Dave Ellis (Statoil). 

£131,965

2014

School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at Cities on Volcanoes Conference (Living in harmony with volcanoes, Yogyakarta, Indonesia), September 2014.

£500

2013

School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at IAVCEI Scientific Assembly (Forecasting Volcanic Activity, Kagoshima, Japan), July 2013.

£400

2012 

"Geology and complex fluids: understanding the mechanics of geological processes through laboratory-scale experiments and rheological theories."  Carnegie Trust Larger Grant.  PI: Mark Haw (Strathclyde). Co-Is: Zoe Shipton (Strathclyde), David Brown (Glasgow), Mike Cates (Edinburgh).

£21,510 

2012 

School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at VMSG workshop (Through the inside of a volcano, Gran Canaria, Spain), March 2012.

£300

2012

“Direct and indirect diagenetic effects in igneous affected basins: constraining diagenetic timings, processes and reservoir quality.”  NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee Grant (IP-1286-1111).  PI: Jon Gluyas (Durham).  Co-Is: David Brown (Glasgow), Richard Brown (Durham), Adrian Boyce (SUERC).  Student: Samantha Clark (Durham).

£46,480

2011

“The interplay of terrestrial volcanism and shoreface sedimentation.”  ENI.  PI: David Brown (Glasgow), Co-Is: Brian Bell (Glasgow), Dougal Jerram (DougalEARTH) and Richard Brown (Durham), Alfredo Pugliese (Eni).

£96,000

2011

“Ignimbrite magmatism in the British Palaeogene Igneous Province: assessing the frequency of large-volume silicic eruptions.”  NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee Grant (IP-1207-1110).  Co-PI: David Brown (Glasgow), Kathryn Goodenough (BGS).  Co-I: Ian Millar (NIGL).  Student: Simon Drake (Birkbeck).

£24,300

2011

School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at IAVCEI workshop (Submarine and emergent volcanic arcs and associated volcano-sedimentary basins: facies models, petrology and volcano-tectonics, Cabo de Gata, Spain), May 2011.

£200

2009

“Direct and indirect diagenetic effects in igneous affected basins – constraining diagenetic timings, processes and reservoir quality”.  Chevron.  PI: Dougal. Jerram. Co-Is: David Brown (Glasgow), Steve Garrett (Chevron Energy Technology Company).

£88,000

2009

School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, Universityof Glasgow, Teaching Award (voted by colleagues and students, to support research)

£500

2009

Clough Memorial Award, Edinburgh Geological Society (for novel research on volcaniclastic rocks)

£300

2007

“Temporal and spatial evolution of the Mull volcano: the interplay of caldera and sector collapse.”  Elspeth Matthews Fund, Geological Society of London.

£1,680

2006

Mineralogical Society Senior Travel Bursary to fund travel to 16th Annual Goldschmidt Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, Aug-Sep 2006.

£500

2006

Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Conference Support Award to fund registration at 16th Annual Goldschmidt Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, Aug-Sep 2006.

£340

 2006

EPSRC Grant to fund X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis at Daresbury Laboratory, CCLRC, May 2006.  Co-PIs: Martin Lee (Glasgow), David Brown.

 £5640

Supervision

Current

  • Pamela Rattigan: Stratigraphy, emplacement and hazards of welded and lava-like ignimbrites, Las Canadas Caldera, Tenerife
  • Mmapula Phesodi: Kimberlite clusters of the Congo Craton, NW Botswana

 

Recently Completed

  • Jonathan Dietz: Lithofacies architecture and facies models of volcanic, volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks in the Hreppar Formation, Iceland - understanding hydrocarbon prospects in volcanic rifted margins
  • Sapphire Wanmer: Characterisation of eruption and depositional processes of volcanic ash
  • Charlotte McLean: Shallow magmatic plumbing systems and edifices of monogenetic volcanic fields
  • Heather Rawcliffe: Lava-water-sediment interaction: processes, products and petroleum systems
  • Robert Gooday (Cardiff): The formation and evolution of the Central Arran Ring Complex
  • Simon Drake (Birkbeck): Physical volcanology and stratigraphy of silicic pyroclastic rocks from the Isle of Skye, NW Scotland
  • Samantha Clark (Durham): Constraining diagenetic timings, processes and reservoir quality in igneous-affected basins
  • Rachael Ellen (Strathclyde): Predicting the internal structure of fault zones in basalt sequences, and their effect on along- and across-fault fluid flow 
  • Brammer, Nathan
    The sedimentological and igneous framework of the Devonian rocks of Kintyre, Scotland
  • Perez, Velveth
    Volcano dynamics modelling and hazard assessment at Torfajökull volcanic centre

Teaching

Head of the Geology Programme

  • Level 2: Earth Science 2A - Igneous Geology; St. Monans Field Class
  • Level 2: Earth Science 2B - Field Skills and Exploration
  • Level 3: Igneous Geology - Volcanology; Tenerife and Elie Field Classes
  • Level 3: Sedimentary Geology - Volcaniclastic Rocks; Aliaga and Pease Bay Field Classes
  • Level 3: Geological Skills - Digital Mapping; Corrieburn and Cumbrae Field Classes
  • Level 3: Metamorphic and Structural Geology - Mull and Oban Field Classes
  • Level 4: Stratigraphy and Tectonic Synthesis - Stonehaven and Eyemouth Field Classes
  • Level 4: Engineering Geology