Supervisors: Drs Mike Branney and Marc Reichow (University of Leicester), Mike McCurry (Idaho State University), Barbara Nash and Michael Perkins (University of Utah)

This studentship is fully funded by a NERC Grant and is available to start in the Department of Geology in December 2009

Project Summary:

Unusually hot, rhyolitic super-eruptions in the Snake River Plain of the Yellowstone hot-spot track dispersed atmospheric ash widely across continental USA^1-4 with devastating impact: tephras preserve mammalian assemblages that record mass fatalities in Nebraska, 1400 km from source³. However, although the ashfall layers have been correlated widely across the US² most have not been matched to specific ignimbrite-forming eruptions at source. Consequently the explosive eruption styles and ash plume behaviour remain poorly understood. This PhD project aims to correlate the distal US tephras with more complete, information-rich proximal sections in Idaho and Nevada to build a better picture of these eruptions and their dispersal. This is needed to help understand the far-reaching environmental and possible climatic impact of these particularly devastating but poorly understood 'Snake River-type' eruptions¹. For example: how were the ash plumes generated and what were the roles of atmospheric fractionation and particle adhesion?

Key project methodologies and training elements:
Fieldwork in three long field seasons in western and central USA will analyse field relations, log and sample both proximal and more distal successions, focussing on a short time-interval within the Miocene. The student will develop a robust method of correlating between them, and use the new correlations to interpret what happened during individual eruptions. The student will receive field training (in Europe and the US) in how to document and interpret a wide variety of pyroclastic deposits including unusual rheomorphic ignimbrites; and in mapping in spectacular volcanic terrain at a globally significant volcanic province. By the end of the project the student will have gained expertise in a variety of field and laboratory techniques including physical volcanology, quantification of shard population characteristics, microprobe analysis of phenocryst assemblages, XRF and LA-ICPMS analysis of glass and crystals.
The successful student will work in a thriving postgraduate community at the Department of Geology at Leicester, and will join a physical volcanology research group that includes a NERC-funded team investigating "Scales and frequencies of ‘Snake-River type’ super-eruptions from the Yellowstone hot-spot track". There will also be the benefit of interaction with a variety of scientists in the UK and abroad, including collaboration with Mike McCurry in (Idaho) in LA-ICPMS analysis and with Barbara Nash and Mike Perkins (Utah) in US tephrochronology. Department and Science Faculty training will be provided in a variety of skills, from geochemical analysis to wilderness first aid, fieldwork safety, computing, and presentation of scientific research.

References cited: 
¹Branney MJ et al. (2008) ‘Snake River (SR) -type’ volcanism at the Yellowstone hotspot track: distinctive products from unusual high-temperature silicic super-eruptions. Bull Volcanol 70:293-314. ²Perkins ME et al. (1998) Sequence, age and source of silicic fallout tuffs in middle to late Miocene basins of the northern Basin and Range province. Bull Geol Soc Amer 110:344–360. ³Voorhies M, Thomasson J (1979) Fossil grass anthoecia within Miocene rhinoceros skeletons: diet in an extinct species, Science 206: 331-333. ⁴Perkins ME et al. (1995) Tuffs of Trapper Creek, Idaho: a record of Miocene explosive volcanism in the Snake River Plain volcanic province. Bull Geol Soc Amer 107:484–1506.

Eligibility and how to apply:
Funding is available for UK citizens and EU citizens with previous 3-year residency in the UK; fees only for other EU citizens. If in doubt, please check your eligibility status: www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp
Potential applicants:
* must hold a good degree in geosciences with an aptitude for volcanology; petrology, geochemistry, sedimentology and independent fieldwork;
* must have excellent written and spoken English and be highly motivated to work within a team on a project with international outreach; and
* must not already hold a PhD degree.
Candidates should apply to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the Postgraduate Application Form at http://www.le.ac.uk/graduateoffice/application_form.pdf
In addition to the application form, please include in your application: examples of your technical work that illustrate good writing, two letters of reference, curriculum vitae, a letter explaining your motivation to do this particular project and any other information that you may find important.
For informal enquiries please contact Mike Branney mjb26@le.ac.uk, Department of Geology University of Leicester, University Road Leicester LE1 7RH.  Tel:+44 (0)116 252 3647. Fax 0116 252 3918.
Closing date is 31st August 2009.