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Doctor of Philosophy (Monash University)
Background I study volcanoes and the different ways volcanism has impacted our planet – its evolution, its atmosphere and our environment. Volcanoes are one of the most powerful agents of change on our planet, from creating the continents we live on to changing the climate and extinguishing life. My research focuses on two particular themes: 1. The largest volcanic events in Earth history: Known as Large Igneous Provinces, these have been linked to the birth of new continents, making the mineral and energy resources we depend on, and major extinctions. 2. How life interacts with volcanism: I’m particularly interested in floating masses of pumice (pumice rafts), produced by explosive eruptions, which act as a mass-transit vehicles transporting shallow marine communities across deep oceans. These pumice rafts have the potential to help sustain coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef. Awards and Recognition 2016: Vice-Chancellors Award for Excellence, QUT 2015: Vice Chancellor's Performance Award, QUT 2013: Exceptional Reviewer Award, Geological Society of America Bulletin 2011: Vice Chancellor's Performance Award, QUT 2010: Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellowship, QUT 2003: Damon Wells Research fellowship, Yale University
Projects (Chief investigator)
Additional information
I am currently an Academic Lead in the School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and was previously Geology & Geochemistry Discipline Leader from 2014-2021. This follows a career trajectory involving positions at a number of institutions, both in Australia and overseas, undertaking a number of roles including post-doctoral research, research fellowship and lecturing positions, and different service roles. In addition, I have undertaken, and continue to undertake translational research projects with a number of industry partners. My research is international, having undertaken field research in many countries including: Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Tonga, Namibia, China, the Canary Islands, USA and UK. The scope of my research is broad and deals with physical volcanology, volcaniclastic sedimentology, stratigraphy, igneous petrology, tectonics, geochronology, structure and mineralisation. I co-lead of the Rubble Stabilisation Program of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP).
- Jones, M., Mallmann, G., Wykes, J., Knafelc, J., Bryan, S. & Howard, D. (2020). Iterative energy self-calibration of Fe XANES spectra. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 27, 207–211. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/197307
- Clemens, J., Stevens, G. & Bryan, S. (2019). Conditions during the formation of granitic magmas by crustal melting - hot or cold; drenched, damp or dry? Earth-Science Reviews, 200, 1–21. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/133683
- Ferrari, L., Orozco-Esquivel, T., Bryan, S., Lopez-Martinez, M. & Silva-Fragoso, A. (2018). Cenozoic magmatism and extension in western Mexico: Linking the Sierra Madre Occidental silicic large igneous province and the Comondu Group with the Gulf of California rift. Earth-Science Reviews, 183, 115–152. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/105545
- Siegel, C., Bryan, S., Allen, C. & Gust, D. (2018). Use and abuse of zircon-based thermometers: A critical review and a recommended approach to identify antecrystic zircons. Earth-Science Reviews, 176, 87–116. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/110688
- Bryan, S., Orozco-Esquivel, T., Ferrari, L. & Lopez-Martinez, M. (2014). Pulling apart the mid to late Cenozoic magmatic record of the Gulf of California: Is there a Comondu arc? Geological Society Special Publication, 385, 389–407. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/58549
- Bryan, S., Cook, A., Evans, J., Hebden, K., Hurrey, L., Colls, P., Jell, J., Weatherley, D. & Firn, J. (2012). Rapid, long-distance dispersal by pumice rafting. PLoS One, 7(7), 1–13. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/58546
- Miller, J., Bryan, S., Peate, I., Peate, D., Self, S., Jerram, D., Mawby, M. & Marsh, J. (2010). The largest volcanic eruptions on Earth. Earth-Science Reviews, 102(3-4), 207–229. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/40259
- Bryan, S., Ferrari, L., Reiners, P., Allen, C., Petrone, C., Ramos-Rosique, A. & Campbell, I. (2008). New insights into crustal contributions to large-volume rhyolite generation in the mid-Tertiary Sierra Madre Occidental Province, Mexico, revealed by U-Pb geochronology. Journal of Petrology, 49(1), 47–77. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/40263
- Peate, I. & Bryan, S. (2008). Re-evaluating plume-induced uplift in the Emeishan large igneous province. Nature Geoscience, 1(9), 625–629. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/40261
- Bryan, S. & Ernst, R. (2008). Revised definition of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs). Earth-Science Reviews, 86(1-4), 175–202. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/40262