Dr David Cornwell

Biography

Dave joined the Department of Geology and Geophysics as a Lecturer in Geophysics in January 2013. He previously spent over 5 years in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds as a Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellow in Geophysics, continuing his research and teaching on the MSc Exploration Geophysics and undergraduate geophysics programmes. His PhD, entitled "Magmatic continental rift zones: the Ethiopian Rift", was awarded from the University of Leicester in 2008, where he was supervised by Prof. Peter Maguire and Prof. Richard England. He also held the post of Graduate Teaching Assistant in Geophysics and taught undergraduate seismic processing and field geophysics. He achieved his MSc. in Exploration Geophysics from the University of Leeds in 2001 and BSc. in Geophysics (Geological) from the University of Leicester in 1999 and spent a year in Menlo Park, CA, as part of the USGS Western Earthquake Hazards Team.   

Research Overview

Crust and mantle structure at plate margins using seismology and gravity methods.  My research encompasses:

• Imaging magma-rich continental rift zones and developing new models of rift initiation and development (Ethiopia and the North Atlantic)
• Mapping the mantle transition zone using receiver functions (Ethiopia)
• Characterising the velocity and anisotropy of crust and mantle layers with shear wave splitting, receiver functions, tomography and ambient noise techniques (Faroe Islands, Ethiopia and Turkey)
• Passive seismology for hydrocarbon exploration (Faroe Islands)

Current Research

I am currently working on seismological data resulting from experiments undertaken in the Faroe Islands (FIPSE) and northern Turkey (Faultlab). I have continued my interest in volcanic margin development, particularly the Ethiopian, North Atlantic and West Greenland margins. I am currently developing industry-related research links through investigations of shallow gas in the North Sea and geophysical imaging of fractured basement reservoirs.

I am or have been a PhD supervisor for:

Panayiota Sketsiou - "". Sponsored by NERC Oil & Gas CDT. Started October 2016.

Bartosz Kurjanski - "Characterisation of glacigenic reservoirs and landsystems using sedimentology, geomorphology and virtual outcrop mapping". Sponsored by NERC Oil & Gas CDT. Started October 2016.

Obeid Saitabau Lemna - "Geophysical Interpretation and Geodynamic Evolution of the Rukwa Rift Basin in the East African Rift System, SW Tanzania". Started October 2015.

Emily Crowder - "Seismic imaging without a source: Towards cost effective and low environmental impact hydrocarbon exploration". Sponsored by NERC Oil & Gas CDT. Started October 2015. 

Mohammed Bello - "Joint Traveltime Tomography for Crustal and Upper Mantle Velocity and Interface Structure - Linking Tasmania and mainland Australia using passive seismic imaging techniques". Sponsored by University of Aberdeen. Started July 2015.

Elvira Papaleo- "Seismologically imaging the North Anatolian Fault Zone (Turkey) using multi-scale tomography methods for earthquake hazard assessment". Sponsored by University of Aberdeen. Started October 2014.

Carmelo Sammarco - "Seismic imaging of the lithosphere: investigating structural continuity between the crust and upper mantle". Sponsored by University of Aberdeen. Started July 2014.

Maral Halliyeva - "Characterising glacigenic reservoirs using geophysical studies". Sponsored by Senergy/University of Aberdeen. Started November 2013. Now at Earthworks Reservoir (www.earthworks-reservoir.com)

Jon Basell - "Characterising glacigenic reservoirs using modelling and analogue studies". Sponsored by Senergy/University of Aberdeen. Started October 2013.

Ben Allen - "Basin structure and sill emplacement in the Faroe-Shetland Basin". Sponsored by E.ON Ruhrgras UK. Started November 2012.

Sulaiman Alsulami - "Tectonic Variation and Structural Evolution of the West Greenland Continental Margin". Sponsored by Saudi Aramco (passed viva September 2014).

Teaching Responsibilities

• MSc. Geophysics Programme Director (June 2017-August 2021)
• GL5527 - Seismic Reflection Theory and Processing (practical processing with SeisSpace/ProMAX)(module manager)
• GL5061 - Seismology & Earth Imaging (module manager)
• GL2511 - Geophysics

Qualifications:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• University Level Teaching Award 2 (ULTA-2), University of Leeds, 2011 (60 Masters-level credits)
• University of Aberdeen teaching training