Dr Alan Boyle PhD, BSc, SFHEA.

Research Overview

My research centres on the use of sulphide minerals as tape-recorders of events and processes in crustal-scale faults. These faults have long histories of polyphase movement commonly associated with an earthquake, Each movement typically leads to fluid influx from below, the formation of new minerals by either replacement of fracture-space-infilling, and the potential deformation of minerals formed during a previous movement and influx of fluid. There is clearly the potential for a complex history. Pyrite is commonly produced as a new mineral in these events, and has the benefit of being relatively refractory, so it has the potential to preserve evidence. I am currently working on two projects before I retire completely:
a) Using pyrite and vein-calcite microstructure to understand fault history in the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD).
b) Using pyrite microstructure and microchemistry to understand processes in some African orogenic gold deposits. Trace element concentrations in different phases of pyrite development (both primary crystallisation and secondary deformation-related recrystallisation) are used as proxies for fluid composition during fault history.