About the Project
This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC GW4+ DTP. The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus six Research Organisation partners. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme, please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/.
Background
The formation and emergence of the Isthmus of Panama is one of the most significant geological events in Earth’s recent history. This event resulted in the closure of the inter-American seaway (ie, separation of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at low latitude) and formation of a land bridge between North and South America, with regional biological implications and global palaeoceanographic and climatic effects. The exact cause(s) and timing of formation of the Isthmus are however unclear and have recently been intensely debated.
Studies generally assume that emergence of the Isthmus was tectonically driven, possibly due to convergence and collision between the Panama volcanic arc and South America.
However, observations and results arising from our on-going geological exploration in Panama (supported by the National Geographic and local institutions) suggest that magmatically-driven emergence of volcanic cordilleras played a significant, yet unrecognized role in the formation of the Isthmus.
Project aims and methods
This project will test the hypothesis that volcanic growth played a significant role in the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama.
This will be achieved through the combination of two main methods:
- Lithostratigraphic characterisation of volcanic fronts to recognise the transition from submarine to subaerial volcanism in key selected areas in Panama. This approach will benefit from recent work conducted in Cardiff to characterise the formation of oceanic islands.
- Pyroxenes from the volcanic fronts will be geochemically compared with detrital pyroxenes preserved in surrounding uplifted basins.
This, and existing biostratigraphic, geochronological and thermochronological data, will provide significant constraints on the timing of emergence and erosion of the arc and how this related to tectonics and/or volcanic growth. This is an original application of a novel technique of sediment provenance analysis that has been recently developed and tested in Japan.
This approach will provide both novel constraints on the timing of emergence of the Isthmus and new insights into volcanic processes associated with the emergence of supra-subduction volcanoes, using a unique and remarkable example of uplifted island arc. This project will benefit from active collaboration with the Panama Canal and University of Panama.
Candidate
The candidate will be expected to conduct several months of field work in the tropical environment (under adequate supervision). You should show interest in working as part of an international collaborative network. You should have interest in geochemistry, volcanology and sedimentology. High motivation for field work is necessary.
CASE award
This is a CASE award. In-kind contribution will be provided by the Panama Canal Authority (cash not available as such due to internal administrative regulation and practical limitations).
Training
- Organisation and participation in field work in a tropical environment.
- Analytical techniques and laboratory work (microscope petrography, WR and mineral geochemistry, including the use of EDS SEM and LA-ICP-MS available in Cardiff).
- Acquisition, management and analysis of complex data.
- Specialist training in volcanology, sedimentology, and geochemistry.
- Use of geographic information system (GIS).
- Written and oral communication, including participation in international conferences and presentation to industrial partner.
- Ability to work and collaborate in a team (including foreign partners in Panama).
- Communication in Spanish (depending on the interest of the candidate).
- Collaboration with industry (Panama Canal Authority).
Funding Notes
NERC GW4+ DTP funding is for 3.5 years and is open to UK and EU applicants who meet the residency eligibility criteria.
A studentship will provide UK/EU tuition fees, a stipend in line with the RCUK rate (£14,553 per annum for 2017/18) and a generous budget for research expenses and training.
For further information including additional details on eligibility criteria, funding and how to apply, please http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding/view/nerc-gw4-doctoral-training-partnership-phd-projects-in-the-school-of-earth-and-ocean-sciences
References
• Buchs, D.M., Arculus, R.J., Baumgartner, P.O., Baumgartner-Mora, C., Ulianov, A., 2010. Late Cretaceous arc development on the SW margin of the Caribbean Plate: Insights from the Golfito, Costa Rica, and Azuero, Panama, complexes. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 11, Q07S24.
• Buchs, D.M., Cukur, D., Masago, H., Garbe-Schönberg, D., 2015. Sediment flow routing during formation of forearc basins: Constraints from integrated analysis of detrital pyroxenes and stratigraphy in the Kumano Basin, Japan. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 414, 164-175.
• Montes, C., Cardona, A., Jaramillo, C., Pardo, A., Silva, J.C., Valencia, V., Ayala, C., Pérez-Angel, L.C., Rodriguez-Parra, L.A., Ramirez, V., Niño, H., 2015. Middle Miocene closure of the Central American Seaway. Science 348, 226-229.