PhD Studentship:
Structural controls on magma emplacement and porphyry copper deposit (PCD) formation

The relationship between regional and local tectonic stresses and PCD localisation may provide a valuable exploration tool. The relative timing of different structural elements (folds, faults, shears etc) and different magmatic and hydrothermal events will be investigated via fieldwork around two BHP mines in South America. The student will document structural events and link their orientation to the evolving local stress field. Different generations of magmatic/hydrothermal events (veins, dykes etc) will be placed in this stress framework. Results will be integrated with larger scale geophysical surveys (gravity, magnetic), where available.

The structural context of other PCDs will be reviewed in the course of the project, to identify and similarities to the field area. Of particular interest will be the relative importance of regional stresses and local stresses generated by the magma systems themselves.

This is primarily a field-oriented project, augmented by optical petrography, SEM, microprobe, and whole-rock geochemistry. Dating of some discrete magmatic events, by Ar-Ar methods, will provide useful benchmarks for the relative chronology and refinement of spatial and temporal clustering of PCDs.

For further details and application , please contact Professor Steve Sparks (steve.sparks@bristol.ac.uk), Professor Jon Blundy (jon.blundy@bristol.ac.uk), or Dr Alison Rust (alison.rust@bristol.ac.uk)

The closing date for applications is 15 May 2012.