Lecture: The geology and geophysics of the Oman-UAE ophiolite by Tyler Ambrose & Brook Keats

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm

VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

LECTURE SUMMARY:

The Earth is composed of three layers: a core, mantle and crust. The crust, which is the thinnest and outermost layer, can be oceanic or continental. Continental crust is thicker and more buoyant, which is why it rises above the oceans. Over 60% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceanic crust, which is thinner and denser and sits beneath the world’s oceans. Most of our understanding of oceanic crust and upper mantle come from slices that have been emplaced onto continental margins, called ophiolites. The largest, best-preserved, and most studied ophiolite on Earth is exposed along the Oman-UAE mountains. The Oman-UAE ophiolite exposes the upper mantle and a complete crustal section that consists of layered and massive gabbro at the deepest levels, through sheeted dykes structurally higher, overlain by basaltic flows, and finally pillow basalt that erupted on the ocean floor.  

In this presentation Tyler is going to present an overview of the Oman-UAE ophiolite based on his recent work in the UAE. Whereas Tyler’s work is based on what can be observed at the Earth’s surface, Brook will demonstrate how geophysical methods can be used to study the geology deep beneath the surface.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: 

Tyler Ambrose is a geologist whose research focuses on understanding the processes that occur when two tectonic plates collide. Tyler completed a BSc at the University of Victoria (Canada), where he studied the coast and Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, and an MSc at the University of British Columbia (Canada), during which he spent 3 months in the Himalaya. Currently, Tyler’s PhD research at the University of Oxford brings him to the UAE-Oman mountains, where he is studying the Hajar Mountains, which offer the best example of oceanic crust anywhere on Earth.

Brook Keats is a geophysicist from New Zealand whose research currently focuses on imaging and modelling deep crustal structure using integrated geophysical methods. He studied Physics and Mathematics at Victoria University of Wellington, completing a BSc. in 2009, before switching his focus to the Earth and completing a BSc. (Hons) in Geophysics in 2010. A 2 year stint at GNS Science in Wellington followed, before he returned to Victoria University of Wellington to complete his MSc. He is currently a DPhil student at the University of Oxford.