Kimberlite research
Kimberlite research at Bristol is a collaborative enterprise with de Beers Company. The aim of the research is to investigate the geology of kimberlites and understand the processes that form them. Research includes field relationships, petrology, geochemistry, laboratory modelling of fluidisation processes in conduits, paleaomagnetic studies and theoretical modelling. The work aims at not only helping the Company to ensure high quality geological information informs their commercial activities, but also is a unique opportunity to investigate processes in volcanic conduits. Studies of fluidisation in volcanic conduits is in collaboration with Dr Mark Gilbertson (Department of Mechanical Engineering, UoB). The image to the left shows DEBSWANA Jwaneng Diamond Mine, Republic of Botswana.
The group members include: Professor Steve Sparks, Mr Matthew Field (de Beers), Dr John Schumacher, Miss Iris Buisman, Dr Ben Buse, Dr Janine Kavanagh and Miss Rachael Ogilvie-Harris.
Related publications:
- Sparks RSJ, Baker L, Brown RJ, Field M, Schumacher J, Stripp G & Walters AL Dynamics of Kimberlite Volcanism. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 155, 18-48, 2006.
- Stripp GR, Field M, Schumacher JC & Sparks RSJ Post Emplacement Serpentinization and Related Hydrothermal Metamorphism in a Kimberlite from Venetia, South Africa. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 24, 515-534, 2006.
- Walters AL, Phillips JC, Brown RJ, Field M Gernon T, Stripp G & Sparks RSJ The role of fluidisation in the formation of volcaniclastic kimberlite: grain size observations and experimental investigation. Journal of Vocanology and Geothermal Research 155, 119-137, 2006.