GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES IN RESEARCH
- CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS of interest to T. H. Pearce as a supervisor are:
- 1) Neural Network applications in the Earth Sciences (see Pearce, 1996)
I am especially interested in problems which relate to dynamical systems (see below).
Example topic: Neural Networks as predictors of pseudo-random chaotic spatial-temporal data. I'm working on this one myself but I'd be happy to share it with a student; it's a big subject.
- 2) Non linear dynamical systems in the Earth Sciences (in collaboration with Dan Offin of the Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, see Higman & Pearce, 1993). Self-organized patterning (see Ortoleva, Middleton) is claimed to be extremely common in the Earth Sciences. Banding, layering, zoning etc., are typical features resulting from dis-equilibrium in dynamical systems and are incompatible with equilibrium in the strictest sense. Questions arise, however, when considering patterned systems: i) was the patterning self-organized or was there an external template, ii) how do you distinguish the two end-member process types, iii) if, self-organized, how do you build a mathematical model working back from the observations (inverse problem)? These are non-trivial problems (especially iii!) and should form the basis for interesting research and theses.
Example topics: Non linear dynamical growth of phenocrysts in magmas: plagioclase, pyroxenes, etc.
NOTE: this topic would be best tackled with undergraduate engineering expertise in mathematics and computing or the equivalent.
- 3) Applications of Interference Imaging in Environmental Microscopy (with M. J. Risk, Biology/Geology, McMaster U; see Risk & Pearce 1992). Determination of daily growth rates of Coral. This interesting study needs a follow-up. I'm open to suggestions for other problems with an environmental angle which involve interference imaging, image enhancement, etc. and which make use of the unique facilities of the LaserLab.
- 4) Applications of Interference Imaging in Volcanic Petrology and Related fields. Take a look at the recent publications and we'll talk. I'm especially interested in volcanics from: 1) the Lesser Antilles, 2) the High Cascades, 3) Hawaii (who isn't?).
- 5) Petrogenesis of Andesites and related rocks. (a long standing interest which I revisit from time to time) 6) Pearce Element Ratios (PER). As the father of this technique, I have an interest in its further development, although Cliff Stanley at U.B.C. is probably the leading expert on PER applications.
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Back to Geology Home Page - 2) Non linear dynamical systems in the Earth Sciences (in collaboration with Dan Offin of the Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, see Higman & Pearce, 1993). Self-organized patterning (see Ortoleva, Middleton) is claimed to be extremely common in the Earth Sciences. Banding, layering, zoning etc., are typical features resulting from dis-equilibrium in dynamical systems and are incompatible with equilibrium in the strictest sense. Questions arise, however, when considering patterned systems: i) was the patterning self-organized or was there an external template, ii) how do you distinguish the two end-member process types, iii) if, self-organized, how do you build a mathematical model working back from the observations (inverse problem)? These are non-trivial problems (especially iii!) and should form the basis for interesting research and theses.