Staff profile

August 2021 - Head of Department, Earth Sciences

2016 - 2019 — Deputy Head of Science Faculty (Postgraduate)

2015 - 2016 — Academic Director, NERC IAPETUS Doctoral Training Partnership

2014 - present — Professor, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Durham

2013 – 2015  — Deputy Director, Natural Sciences, University of Durham

2005 – 2014  — Reader, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Durham

2003 – 2004  — Deputy Chief Geologist, CASP. Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge

1993 – 2004  — Geologist, CASP, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge

1990 – 1993  — Computer Officer, Leicester University

1991  — PhD, Leicester

1987  — BSc Hons 1st class: Durham

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Career Research Highlights

My research has focused on interdisciplinary studies of Eurasian orogenic belts and sedimentary basins, notably the interactions of deformation, climate and sedimentation in tectonically active regions such as the Caspian, and the Zagros mountains of Iran. I also study aspects of petroleum systems at all scales from the regional, to the effects of fault systems and sedimentary architecture on fluid migration. My PhD involved a lot of igneous geochemistry, and I have recently returned to this subject by looking at the young volcanic rocks of the Iranian plateau. This includes being the PI of a NERC funded project on Orogenic Plateau Magmatism. I use many techniques and disciplines within Earth Sciences, including field-based structural geology and clastic sedimentology, remote sensing, geomorphology, basin modelling, regional synthesis, igneous geochemistry and seismic interpretation. I work closely with specialists in many other fields, including seismology, microstructures, fluid inclusions, heavy mineral provenance studies, isotopic geochemistry/geochronology and gravity/magnetics.

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Committee and Society Service

2021 - Member of Council, Geological Society, London

2005 – 2010— Secretary, Northern Regional Group of the Geological Society

2001 – 2006 — Geological Society Petroleum Group committee member

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Conferences and Workshops

2012, 2013 —Organiser of Convergent Margin session theme - EGU General Assembly

2011 — Geological Society of London Coupling of Tectonics and Surface Processes, Convenor.

2010 — Orogenic Plateaux session, Convenor - EGU General Assembly

2009 — Arctic and Russia session, Co-convenor. Petroleum Geology Conference #VII

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Editorial Roles

2017 - present - Editor, Solid Earth

2003 – 2017 — Editor-in-chief of Geological Magazine

2005 – present — Editorial board member, Tectonophysics

2006 – 2012 — Editorial Board Member, Petroleum Geoscience

2006 — UK national correspondent for ICGP Project 480 “Tectonics of Central Asia”

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Keynotes

2021 - Keynote speaker, EGU Annual Meeting

2020 - Keynote speaker, EGU Annual Meeting

2019 - Invited speaker, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2019 - Invited speaker, China Earthquake Administration

2018 - Invited speaker, Caltech, California

2011 – "Interactions of Tectonics and Climate in Eurasia" - University of Michigan Smith Lecture Series

2008 – International Union of Geological Sciences 33rd International Geological Congress

2004 – AAPG Hedberg meeting on lacustrine sedimentation, Baku

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Prizes & Awards

2004 — AAPG Jules Braunstein Award

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Recent and Current Grants

2011 – 2014 — ‘Orogenic Plateau Magmatism’ NERC Standard Grant NE/H021620/1 PI, Co-Is: Davidson, J.P., and Van Hunen, J.

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• Eurasian orogenic belts and sedimentary basins, notably the interactions of deformation, climate and sedimentation in tectonically active regions such as the Caspian and the Zagros mountains.

• Climate and Environmental Change
• Geochemistry Research Group
• Geoenergy, Resources and Waste
• Geohazards
• Palaeoclimate Research Group
• Structural Research Group

• 2011: Orogenic plateau magmatism(£391367.16 from NERC - Natural Environment Research Council)
• 2010: EGU Conference Attendance Grant(£1250.00 from )
• 2007: ABSHERON RESERVOIR STUDY(£3000.00 from BP Exploration Ltd)
• 2007: S.E. ASIA CROSS SECTION CONTRACT(£17975.00 from Geospatial Research Ltd)
• 2007: SUBSIDENCE MECHANISMS OF ACCRETIONARY(£60000.00 from Statoil ASA)
• 2007: VOLCANISM IN NW IRAN(£600.00 from The Royal Society)
• 2006: ACG PRODUCED WATER PROJECT(£11980.00 from BP Exploration (Shah Deniz) Ltd)
• 2006: ACG PRODUCED WATER PROJECT(£14168.26 from BP Exploration (Shah Deniz) Ltd)
• 2005: GEOLOGICAL STUDY OF ABSHERON PENINSULA(£16800.00 from BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd)
• 2005: Geological Study of the on shore area Absheron Pen(£36000.00 from BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd)
• 2005: Neftex Black Sea Greater Caspian 3rd order(£21000.00 from Neftex Petroleum Consultants Ltd)
• 2005: West Eurasia 3rd Order stratigraphic database(£33000.00 from Neftex Petroleum Consultants Ltd)

• 2018: Invited speaker, Caltech:
• 2017: Editor, Solid Earth:
• 2016: Degree programme External Examiner, University of Oxford:
• 2014: Editor-in-Chief, Geological Magazine:
• 2014: Member of NERC peer review college:
• 2013: Co-ordinator, Convergent Tectonic settings sessions, EGU:
• 2013: Degree programme External Examiner, University of Cambridge:
• 2011: Smith Lecturer, University of Michigan:
• 2006: UK national correspondent for ICGP Project 480 “Tectonics of Central Asia”:
• 2005: Editorial board member, Tectonophysics, from Dec 2005:
• 2004: AAPG Jules Braunstein Award:
• 2004: Keynote speaker: AAPG Hedberg meeting on lacustrine sedimentation, Baku, 2004:
• 2003: Editor of Geological Magazine since February 2003:
• 2001: Geological Society Petroleum Group committee member:

Available for media contact about:

• Earth Sciences: Causes of earthquakes in Eurasia
• Tectonics: Causes of earthquakes in Eurasia
• Earth Sciences: Oil and gas resources in Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa
• Oil and gas: Oil and gas resources in Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa

Chapter in book

• Allen, Mark B. (2021). Arabia-Eurasia Collision. In Encyclopedia of Geology. 436.
• Jotheri, Jaafar & Allen, Mark B. (2020). Recognition of Ancient Channels and Archaeological Sites in the Mesopotamian Floodplain Using Satellite Imagery and Digital Topography. In New Agendas in Remote Sensing and Landscape Archaeology in the Near East: Studies in Honour of Tony J. Wilkinson. Lawrence, Dan, Altaweel, Mark & Philip, Graham Oxford: Archaeopress. 283-305.
• Allen, M.B. (2010). Roles of strike-slip faults during continental deformation: examples from the active Arabia–Eurasia collision. In The Evolving Continents: Understanding Processes of Continental Growth. Kusky, T. M., Zhai, M.-G. & Xiao, W. London: Geological Society, London. 338: 329-344.
• Hinds, D., Simmons, M.D., Allen, M.B. & Aliyeva, E. (2007). Architecture variability within the Pereriva and Balakhany suites of the Neogene Productive Series, Azerbaijan: implications for reservoir quality. In AAPG Studies in Geology 55: Oil and Gas of the Greater Caspian area. Yilmaz, P.O. & Isaksen, G. Tulsa, Oklahoma: AAPG.
• Allen, M.B., Walker, R., Jackson, J., Blanc, E.J-P., Talebian, M. & Ghassemi, M.R. (2006). Contrasting styles of convergence in the Arabia-Eurasia collision: Why escape tectonics does not occur in Iran. In Postcollisional tectonics and magmatism in the Mediterranean region and Asia: GSA Special Paper 409. Dilek, Y. & Pavlides, S. Boulder, Colorado: Geological Society of America. 579-589.
• Kroonenberg, S.B, Simmons, M. D, Alekseevski, N.I, Aliyeva, E, Allen, M.B, Aybulatov, D.N, Baba-Zadeh, A, Badyukova, E.N, Hinds, D.J, Huseynov, D, Ibrahimov B, Mamedov, P, Overeem, I, Povalishnikova, E.N, Rusakov, G.V, Suleymanova, S & Svitoch, A.A (2005). Two deltas, two basins, one river, one sea: the modern Volga delta as an analogue of the Neogene Productive Series, South Caspian Basin. In SEPM memoir on deltaic sedimentation.
• Allen, M.B, Macdonald, D. I. M, Zhao Xun, Vincent, S.J & Brouet-Menzies, C (1998). Transtensional deformation in the evolution of the Bohai Basin, northern China. In Continental Transpressional and Transtensional Tectonics. London: Spec. Rep. of the Geol. Soc. 135: 215-229.

Journal Article

• Allen, Mark B., Song, Shuguang, Wang, Chao, Zeng, Renyu & Wen, Tao (2023). An oblique subduction model for closure of the Proto-Tethys and Palaeo-Tethys oceans and creation of the Central China Orogenic Belt. Earth-Science Reviews 240: 104385.
• Qiao, Jinran, Zhou, Chen-Ao, Dong, Jie, Allen, Mark B., Yang, Liming, Su, Li & Song, Shuguang (2023). Syn- and post-collisional potassic to ultrapotassic alkaline and subalkaline volcanic rocks: Heterogeneous mantle metasomatism beneath the North Qaidam orogenic belt. Lithos 107081.
• Xiong, Lu, Song, Shuguang, Su, Li, Zhang, Guibin, Allen, Mark B., Feng, Di & Yang, Shuwen (2023). Detrital zircons from high-pressure trench sediments (Qilian Orogen): Constraints on continental-arc accretion, subduction initiation and polarity of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. Gondwana Research 113: 194-209.
• Feng, Di, Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Xiong, Lu, Zhang, Guibin, Allen, Mark B., Dong, Jie, Wen, Tao & Su, Li (2023). Tracing tectonic processes from Proto- to Paleo-Tethys in the East Kunlun Orogen by detrital zircons. Gondwana Research 115: 1-16.
• Zeng, Renyu, Allen, Mark B., Mao, Xiancheng, Lai, Jianqing, Yan, Jie & Wan, Jianjun (2022). Whole-rock and zircon evidence for evolution of the Late Jurassic high-Sr ∕ Y Zhoujiapuzi granite, Liaodong Peninsula, North China Craton. Solid Earth 13(8): 1259 - 1280.
• Zhang, Fei, Dellinger, Mathieu, Hilton, Robert G., Yu, Jimin, Allen, Mark B., Densmore, Alexander L., Sun, Hui & Jin, Zhangdong (2022). Hydrological control of river and seawater lithium isotopes. Nature Communications 13(1): 3359.
• Bewick, Samuel, Parkinson, Ian J, Harris, Nigel, Adamia, Shota, Sadradze, Nino, Allen, Mark B & Hammond, Sam (2022). Quaternary Collision-Zone Magmatism of the Greater Caucasus. Journal of Petrology 63(5).
• Li, Yang, Allen, Mark B. & Li, Xian-Hua (2022). Millennial pulses of ore formation and an extra-high Tibetan Plateau. Geology 50(6): 665-669.
• Schliffke, Nicholas, van Hunen, Jeroen, Allen, Mark B., Magni, Valentina & Gueydan, Frédéric (2022). Episodic back-arc spreading centre jumps controlled by transform fault to overriding plate strength ratio. Nature Communications 13(1): 582.
• Wu, Zhenzhu, Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Kusky, Timothy & Su, Li (2022). Ultrahigh-pressure peridotites record Neoarchean collisional tectonics. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 596: 117787.
• Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Zhao, Guochun, Allen, Mark B, Su, Li, Gao, Tianyu, Wen, Tao & Feng, Di (2022). Calc-Alkaline Plutons in a Proto-Tethyan Intra-Oceanic Arc (Qilian Orogen, NW China): Implications for the Construction of Arc Crust. Journal of Petrology 64(2): 1-19.
• Wen, Tao, Song, Shuguang, Wang, Chao, Allen, Mark B., Dong, Jie, Feng, Di & Su, Li (2022). IBM-type forearc magmatism in the Qilian Orogen records evolution from a continental to an intra-oceanic arc system in the Proto-Tethyan Ocean. Gondwana Research 110: 197-213.
• Qiao, Jinran, Dong, Jie, Song, Shuguang, Wang, Chao, Allen, Mark B. & Su, Li (2022). Melting of mafic slab and mantle peridotite during ridge subduction of the Proto-Tethys Ocean (Qilian Orogen, NW China). Lithos 410-411: 106588.
• Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Su, Li, Zhao, Guochun & Gao, Tianyu (2022). Late Paleoproterozoic magmatism in North Hengshan: Final collapse of the Trans-North China Orogen. Precambrian Research 374: 106655.
• Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Su, Li & Allen, Mark B. (2022). Crustal maturation and cratonization in response to Neoarchean continental collision: The Suizhong granitic belt, North China Craton. Precambrian Research 377: 106732.
• Wen, Tao, Song, Shuguang, Xu, Cheng, Zhang, Guibin, Allen, Mark B., Su, Li & Wang, Chao (2022). Carbonatitic pockets in intra-ocean arc volcanics (Qilian orogen): Petrogenesis and implications for carbon recycling in subduction zones. Chemical Geology 606: 120981.
• Hou, Yuanli, Shao, Lei, Cui, Yuchi, Allen, Mark B., Zhu, Weilin, Qiao, Peijun, Huang, Chi-Yue, Yao, Yongjian & Goh, Thian-Lai (2022). Sediment features and provenance analysis of the late Mesozoic–early Cenozoic strata of the Ryukyu Islands: Implications for palaeogeography of East China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 145: 105840.
• Xu, Yueren, Liu‐Zeng, Jing, Allen, Mark B., Du, Peng, Zhang, Weiheng, Li, Wenqiao & Tian, Qinjian (2022). Understanding historical earthquakes by mapping coseismic landslides in the Loess Plateau, northwest China. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 47(9): 2266-2282.
• Song, Shuguang, Ye, Shiting, Allen, Mark B., Niu, Yaoling, Sun, Weidong & Zhang, Lifei (2022). Oxidation of arcs and mantle wedges by reduction of manganese in pelagic sediments during seafloor subduction. American Mineralogist 107(10): 1850.
• Su, Li, Song, Shuguang, Wang, Chao, Allen, Mark B. & Zhang, Hongyu (2022). Picrite-basalt complex in the Baoshan-Gongshan Block of northern Sibumasu: Onset of a mantle plume before breakup of Gondwana and opening of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. GSA Bulletin 134(5-6): 1091-1108.
• Nouri, Fatemeh, Davoudian, Ali Reza, Shabanian, Nahid, Allen, Mark B., Asahara, Yoshihiro, Azizi, Hossein, Anma, Ryo, Khodami, Mahnaz & Tsuboi, Motohiro (2022). Tectonic transition from Ediacaran continental arc to early Cambrian rift in the NE Ardakan region, central Iran: Constraints from geochronology and geochemistry of magmatic rocks. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 224: 105011.
• Schliffke, Nicholas, van Hunen, Jeroen, Gueydan, Frédéric, Magni, Valentina & Allen, Mark B. (2021). Curved orogenic belts, back-arc basins, and obduction as consequences of collision at irregular continental margins. Geology 49(12): 1436-1440.
• Chu, Yang, Wan, Bo, Allen, Mark B., Chen, Ling, Lin, Wei, Talebian, Morteza & Xin, Guangyao (2021). Detrital Zircon Age Constraints on the Evolution of Paleo‐Tethys in NE Iran: Implications for Subduction and Collision Tectonics. Tectonics 40(8): e2020TC006680.
• Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Su, Li, Allen, Mark B. & Dong, Jinlong (2021). Lithospheric modification at the onset of the destruction of the North China Craton: Evidence from Late Triassic mafic dykes. Chemical Geology 566: 120105.
• Farangitakis, G.P, McCaffrey, K.J.W., Willingshofer, E., Allen, M.B., Kalnins, L.M.K., van Hunen, J., Persaud, P. & Sokoutis, D. (2021). The structural evolution of pull-apart basins in response to changes in plate motion. Basin Research 33(2): 1603-1625.
• Xu, Yueren, Liu-Zeng, Jing, Allen, Mark B., Zhang, Weiheng & Du, Peng (2021). Landslides of the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake, northern China. Landslides 18: 935-953.
• Zhou, Chen-Ao, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Wang, Chao, Su, Li & Wang, Mengjue (2021). Post-collisional mafic magmatism: Insights into orogenic collapse and mantle modification from North Qaidam collisional belt, NW China. Lithos 398-399: 106311.
• Chu, Yang, Allen, Mark B., Wan, Bo, Chen, Ling, Lin, Wei, Talebian, Morteza, Wu, Lin, Xin, Guangyao & Feng, Zhentian (2021). Tectonic exhumation across the Talesh-Alborz Belt, Iran, and its implication to the Arabia-Eurasia convergence. Earth-Science Reviews 221: 103776.
• Nouri, Fatemeh, Reza Davoudian, Ali, Allen, Mark B., Azizi, Hossein, Asahara, Yoshihiro, Anma, Ryo, Shabanian, Nahid, Tsuboi, Motohiro & Khodami, Mahnaz (2021). Early Cambrian highly fractionated granite, Central Iran: Evidence for drifting of northern Gondwana and the evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. Precambrian Research 362: 106291.
• Franzel, Maximilian, Jones, Stuart J., Meadows, Neil, Allen, Mark B., McCaffrey, Ken & Morgan, Tim (2021). Basin-scale fluvial correlation and response to the Tethyan marine transgression: an example from the Triassic of central Spain. Basin Research 33(1): 1-25.
• Dong, Jinlong, Song, Shuguang, Su, Li, Allen, Mark B., Li, Yanguang & Wang, Chao (2020). Early Devonian mafic igneous rocks in the East Kunlun Orogen, NW China: Implications for the transition from the Proto- to Paleo-Tethys oceans. Lithos 376-377: 105771.
• Chu, Yang, Lin, Wei, Faure, Michel, Allen, Mark B. & Feng, Zhentian (2020). Cretaceous exhumation of the Triassic intracontinental Xuefengshan Belt: Delayed unroofing of an orogenic plateau across the South China Block? Tectonophysics 793: 228592.
• Edey, A., Allen, M. B. & Nilfouroushan, F. (2020). Kinematic Variation Within the Fars Arc, Eastern Zagros, and the Development of Fold‐and‐Thrust Belt Curvature. Tectonics 39(8): e2019TC005941.
• Groves, Katharine, Saville, Christopher, Hurst, Martin D., Jones, Stuart J., Song, Shuguang & Allen, Mark B. (2020). Geomorphic expressions of collisional tectonics in the Qilian Shan, north eastern Tibetan Plateau. Tectonophysics 788: 228503.
• Kheirkhah, Monireh, Neill, Iain, Allen, Mark B., Emami, Mohammad H. & Ghadimid, Ali Shahraki (2020). Distinct sources 1 for high-K and adakitic magmatism in SE Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 196: 104355.
• Xu, Yueren, Allen, Mark B., Zhang, Weiheng, Li, Wenqiao & He, Honglin (2020). Landslide characteristics in the Loess Plateau, northern China. Geomorphology 359: 107150.
• Law, Robert & Allen, Mark B. (2020). Diachronous Tibetan Plateau landscape evolution derived from lava field geomorphology. Geology 48(3): 263-267.
• Yang, Shixiang, Su, Li, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Feng, Di, Wang, Mengjue, Wang, Chao & Zhang, Hongyu (2020). Melting of subducted continental crust during collision and exhumation: Insights from granitic rocks from the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt, NW China. Lithos 378-379: 105794.
• Song, Yingtan, Su, Li, Dong, Jinlong, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Wang, Chao & Hu, Xiaolan (2020). Detrital zircons from Late Paleozoic to Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Gongshan-Baoshan Block, SE Tibet: Implications for episodic crustal growth of Eastern Gondwana. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 188: 104106.
• Schliffke, Nicholas, Hunen, Jeroen, Magni, Valentina & Allen, Mark B. (2019). The Role of Crustal Buoyancy in the Generation and Emplacement of Magmatism During Continental Collision. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 20(11): 4693-4709.
• Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Wei, Chunjing, Su, Li, Allen, Mark B., Niu, Yaoling, Li, Xian-Hua & Dong, Jinlong (2019). Palaeoarchaean deep mantle heterogeneity recorded by enriched plume remnants. Nature Geoscience 12(8): 672-678.
• Obaid, Ahmed K. & Allen, Mark B. (2019). Landscape expressions of tectonics in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. Tectonophysics 766: 20-30.
• Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Su, Li & Wei, Chunjing (2019). High-pressure granulite from Jixian, Eastern Hebei, the North China Craton: implications for Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic collision tectonics. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 478(1): 427-448.
• Yang, L.M., Song, S.G., Su, L., Allen, M.B., Niu, Yaoling, Zhang, G.B. & Zhang, Y.Q. (2019). Heterogeneous oceanic arc volcanic rocks in the South Qilian Accretionary Belt (Qilian Orogen, NW China). Journal of Petrology 60(1): 85-116.
• Bi, Hengzhe, Song, Shuguang, Yang, Liming, Allen, Mark B., Qi, Shengsheng & Su, Li (2019). UHP metamorphism recorded by coesite-bearing metapelite in the East Kunlun Orogen (NW China). Geological Magazine 1-13.
• Yang, Liming, Su, Li, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Bi, Hengzhe, Feng, Di, Li, Wufu & Li, Yanguang (2019). Interaction between oceanic slab and metasomatized mantle wedge: Constraints from sodic lavas from the Qilian Orogen, NW China. Lithos 348-349: 105182.
• Song, Shuguang, Bi, Hengzhe, Qi, Shengsheng, Yang, Liming, Allen, Mark B, Niu, Yaoling, Su, Li & Li, Wufu (2018). HP-UHP metamorphic belt in the East Kunlun Orogen: final closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and formation of the Pan-North-China Continent. Journal of Petrology 59(11): 2043-2060.
• Yang, Liming, Song, Shuguang, Allen, Mark B., Su, Li, Dong, Jinlong & Wang, Chao (2018). Oceanic accretionary belt in the West Qinling Orogen: Links between the Qinling and Qilian orogens, China. Gondwana Research 64: 137-162.
• Xu, YR, He, HL, Deng, QD, Allen, MB, Sun, HY & Bi, LS (2018). The CE 1303 Hongdong earthquake and the Huoshan Piedmont Fault, Shanxi Graben: Implications for magnitude limits of normal fault earthquakes. Journal of Geophysical Research 123(4): 3098-3121.
• Viete, D.R., Hacker, B.R., Allen, M.B., Seward, G.G.E., Tobin, M.J., Kelley, C.S., Cinque, G. & Duckworth, A.R. (2018). Metamorphic records of multiple seismic cycles during subduction. Science Advances 4(3): eaaq0234.
• Scott, E.M., Allen, M.B., Macpherson, C.G., McCaffrey, K.J.W., Davidson, J.P., Saville, C. & Ducea, M.N. (2018). Andean surface uplift constrained by radiogenic isotopes of arc lavas. Nature Communications 9: 969.
• Dong, Jinlong, Song, Shuguang, Wang, Mingming, Allen, Mark B., Su, Li, Wang, Chao, Yang, Liming & Xu, Bei (2018). Alaskan-type Kedanshan intrusion (central Inner Mongolia, China): Superimposed subduction between the Mongol-Okhotsk and Paleo-Pacific oceans in the Jurassic. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 167: 68-81.
• Wang, Chao, Song, Shuguang Niu, Yaoling, Allen, Mark B., Su, Li, Wei, Chunjing, Zhang, Guibin & Fu, Bin (2017). Long-lived melting of ancient lower crust of the North China Craton in response to paleo-Pacific plate subduction, recorded by adakitic rhyolite. Lithos 292-293: 437-451.
• Allen, M.B., Walters, R.J., Song, S.G., Saville, C., De Paola, N., Ford, J., Hu, Z.X. & Sun, W.L. (2017). Partitioning of oblique convergence coupled to the fault locking behavior of fold-and-thrust belts: evidence from the Qilian Shan, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Tectonics 36(9): 1679-1698.
• Obaid, Ahmed K. & Allen, Mark B. (2017). Landscape maturity, fold growth sequence and structural style in the Kirkuk Embayment of the Zagros, northern Iraq. Tectonophysics 717: 27-40.
• Magni, V., Allen, M.B., van Hunen, J. & Bouilhol, P. (2017). Continental underplating after slab break-off. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 474: 59-67.
• Liu, Runchao, Allen, M.B., Zhang, Qiquan, Du, Wei, Cheng, Xiang, Holdsworth, R.E. & Guo, Zhaojie (2017). Basement controls on deformation during oblique convergence: Transpressive structures in the western Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau. Lithosphere 9(4): 583-594.
• Zhang, Y.Q., Song, S.G., Yang, L.M., Su, L., Niu, Yaoling, Allen, M.B. & Xu, X. (2017). Basalts and picrites from a plume-type ophiolite in the South Qilian Accretionary Belt, Qilian Orogen: Accretion of a Cambrian Oceanic Plateau? Lithos 278-281: 97-110.
• Garzanti, E., Al-Juboury, A.I., Zoleikhaei, Y., Vermeesch, P., Jotheri, J., Akkoca, BM, Obaid, A.K., Allen, M.B., Andó, S., Limonta, S., Padoan, M., Resentini, A., Rittner, M. & Vezzoli, G. (2016). The Euphrates-Tigris-Karun river system: Provenance, recycling and dispersal of quartz-poor foreland-basin sediments in arid climate. Earth-Science Reviews 162: 107-128.
• Xu, X., Song, S.G., Allen, M.B., Ernst, R.E., Niu, Yaoling & Su, L. (2016). An 850–820 Ma LIP dismembered during breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent and destroyed by Early Paleozoic continental subduction in the northern Tibetan Plateau, NW China. Precambrian Research 282: 52-73.
• Jotheri, J., Allen, M.B. & Wilkinson, T.J. (2016). Holocene avulsions of the Euphrates River in the Najaf area of western Mesopotamia: Impacts on human settlement patterns. Geoarchaeology 31(3): 175-193.
• Song, S.G., Wang, M.J., Xu, X., Wang, C., Niu, Yaoling, Allen, M.B. & Su, L. (2015). Ophiolites in the Xing’an-Inner Mongolia accretionary belt of the CAOB: Implications for two cycles of seafloor spreading and accretionary orogenic events. Tectonics 34(10): 2221-2248.
• Kheirkhah, M., Neill, I. & Allen, M.B. (2015). Petrogenesis of OIB-like basaltic volcanic rocks in a continental collision zone: Late Cenozoic magmatism of Eastern Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 106: 19-33.
• Neill, I., Meliksetian, K., Allen, M.B., Navasardyan, G. & Kuiper, K. (2015). Petrogenesis of mafic collision zone magmatism: the Armenian sector of the Turkish-Iranian Plateau. Chemical Geology 403: 24-41.
• Holt, P.J., Allen, M.B. & van Hunen, J. (2015). Basin formation by thermal subsidence of accretionary orogens. Tectonophysics 639: 132-143.
• Xu, X., Song, S.G., Su, L., Li, Z.X., Niu, Yaoling & Allen, M.B. (2015). The 600–580 Ma continental rift basalts in North Qilian Shan, northwest China: Links between the Qilian-Qaidam block and SE Australia, and the reconstruction of East Gondwana. Precambrian Research 257: 47-46.
• Bottrill, A.D., van Hunen, J, Cuthbert, S.J., Brueckner, H.K. & Allen, M.B. (2014). Plate rotation during continental collision and its relationship with the exhumation of UHP metamorphic terranes: Application to the Norwegian Caledonides. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 15(5): 1766-1782.
• Kaislaniemi, L., van Hunen, J., Allen, M. B. & Neill, I. (2014). Sub-lithospheric small-scale convection—a mechanism for collision zone magmatism. Geology 42(4): 291-294.
• Jones, S.J., Arzani, N. & Allen, M.B. (2014). Tectonic and climatic controls on fan systems: The Kohrud mountain belt, Central Iran. Sedimentary Geology 302: 29-42.
• Wang, H.L., van Hunen, J., Pearson, D.G. & Allen, M.B. (2014). Craton stability and longevity: The roles of composition-dependent rheology and buoyancy. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 391: 224-233.
• Allen, M.B., Saville, C., Blanc, E.J-P., Talebian, M. & Nissen, E. (2013). Orogenic plateau growth: expansion of the Turkish-Iranian Plateau across the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. Tectonics 32(2): 171–190.
• Allen, M.B., Kheirkhah, M., Neill, I., Emami, M.H. & Mcleod, C.L. (2013). Generation of arc and within-plate chemical signatures in collision zone magmatism: Quaternary lavas from Kurdistan province, Iran. Journal of Petrology 54(5): 887-911.
• Xiao, W.J., Windley, B.F., Allen, M.B. & Han, C.M. (2013). Paleozoic multiple accretionary and collisional tectonics of the Chinese Tianshan orogenic collage. Gondwana Research 23(4): 1316-1341.
• Neill, I., Meliksetian, Kh., Allen, M.B., Navasardyan, G. & Karapetyan, S. (2013). Pliocene-Quaternary volcanic rocks of NW Armenia: Magmatism and lithospheric dynamics within an active orogenic plateau. Lithos 180-181: 200-215.
• Kheirkhah, M., Neill, I., Allen, M.B. & Ajdari, K. (2013). Small-volume melts of lithospheric mantle during continental collision: late Cenozoic lavas of Mahabad, NW Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 74: 37-49.
• Bottrill, Andrew D., van Hunen, Jeroen & Allen, Mark B. (2012). Insight into collision zone dynamics from topography: numerical modelling results and observations. Solid Earth 3(2): 387-399.
• Holt, P.J., van Hunen, J. & Allen, M.B. (2012). Subsidence of the West Siberian Basin: Effects of a mantle plume impact. Geology 40(8): 703-706.
• Rezaeian, M., Carter, A., Hovius, N. & Allen, M.B. (2012). Cenozoic exhumation history of the Alborz Mountains, Iran: New constraints from low-temperature chronometry. Tectonics 31(2): TC2004.
• Walker, F. & Allen, M.B. (2012). Offset rivers, drainage spacing and the record of strike-slip faulting: The Kuh Banan Fault, Iran. Tectonophysics 530-531: 251-263.
• Allen, M.B. & Armstrong, H.A. (2012). Reconciling the Intertropical Convergence Zone, Himalayan/Tibetan tectonics, and the onset of the Asian monsoon system. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 44: 36-47.
• Allen, M.B., Mark, D.F., Kheirkhah, M., Barfod, D., Emami, M.H. & Saville, C. (2011). 40Ar/39Ar dating of Quaternary lavas in northwest Iran: constraints on the landscape evolution and incision rates of the Turkish-Iranian plateau. Geophysical Journal International 185(3): 1173-1185.
• Richardson, S. Davies R.J., Allen M.B. & Grant S.F. (2011). Structure and Evolution of Mass Transport Deposits in the South Caspian Basin, Azerbaijan, Basin Research. Basin Research 23(6): 702–719.
• Nissen, E., Tatar, M., Jackson, J.A. & Allen, M.B. (2011). New views on earthquake faulting in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt of Iran. Geophysical Journal International 186(3): 928-944.
• van Hunen, J. & Allen, M.B. (2011). Continental collision and slab break-off: a comparison of 3-D numerical models with observations. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 302(1-2): 27-37.
• Allen, M.B. & Talebian, M. (2011). Structural variation along the Zagros and the nature of the Dezful Embayment. Geological Magazine 148(5-6): 911-924.
• Allen, M.B., Kheirkhah, M., Emami, M.H. & Jones, S.J. (2011). Right-lateral shear across Iran and kinematic change in the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone. Geophysical Journal International 184(2): 555-574.
• Armstrong, H.A & Allen, M.B. (2011). Shifts in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, Himalayan exhumation, and late Cenozoic climate. Geology 39(1): 11–14.
• Holt, P.J., Allen, M.B., van Hunen, J. & Bjørnseth, H.M. (2010). Lithospheric cooling and thickening as a basin forming mechanism. Tectonophysics 495(3-4): 184-194.
• Davies, C,, Allen, M.B., Buslov, M.M. & Safonova, I. (2010). Deposition in the Kuznetsk Basin, Siberia: Insights into the Permian–Triassic transition and the Mesozoic evolution of Central Asia. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 295(1-2): 307-322.
• Walker, R.T., Gans, P., Allen, M.B., Jackson, J., Khatib, M., Marsh, N. & Zarrinkoub, M. (2009). Late Cenozoic volcanism and rates of active faulting in eastern Iran. Geophysical Journal International 177(2): 783-805.
• Allen, M.B. (2009). Discussion on the Eocene bimodal Piranshahr massif of the Sanadaj-Sirjan Zone, West Iran: a marker of the end of collision in the Zagros orogen. Journal of the Geological Society 166: 981-982.
• Kheirkhah, M., Allen, M.B. & Emami, M. (2009). Quaternary syn-collision magmatism from the Iran/Turkey borderlands. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 182(1-2): 1-12.
• Reichow, M.K., Pringle, M.S., Al'Mukhamedov, A.I. Allen, M.B., Andreichev, V.L., Buslov, M.M., Davies, C.E., Fedoseev, G.S., Fitton, J.G., Inger, S., Medvedev, A.Ya., Mitchell, C., Puchkov, V.N., Safonova, I.Yu., Scott, R.A. & Saunders, A.D. (2009). The timing and extent of the eruption of the Siberian Traps large igneous province: Implications for the end-Permian environmental crisis. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 277: 9-20.
• Allen, M. B. & Armstrong, H. A. (2008). Arabia-Eurasia collision and the forcing of mid-Cenozoic global cooling. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 265(1-2): 52-58.
• Whitehouse, P.L., Allen, M.B. & Milne, G.A. (2007). Glacial isostatic adjustment as a control on coastal processes: An example from the Siberian Arctic. Geology 35(8): 747-750.
• Allen, Mark B. & Davies, Clare E. (2007). Unstable Asia: active deformation of Siberia revealed by drainage shifts. Basin Research 19(3): 379-392.
• Allen, M.B., Anderson, L., Searle, R.C. & Buslov, M. (2006). Oblique rift geometry of the West Siberian Basin: tectonic setting for the Siberian flood basalts. Journal of the Geological Society 163(6): 901-904.
• Allen, M. B., Morton, A. C., Fanning, C. M., Ismail-Zadeh, A. J. & Kroonenberg, S. B. (2006). Zircon age constraints on sediment provenance in the Caspian region. Journal of the Geological Society, London 163: 647-655.
• Vincent, S.J. Allen, M.B. Ismail-Zadeh, A.D., Flecker, R., Foland, K.A. & Simmons, M.D. (2005). Insights from the Talysh of Azerbaijan into the Paleogene evolution of the South Caspian region. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America 117: 1513-1533.
• Allen, M.B, Jackson, J & Walker, R (2004). Late Cenozoic reorganization of the Arabia-Eurasia collision and the comparison of short-term and long-term deformation rates. Tectonics 23(2): TC2008.
• Hinds, D, Aliyeva, E, Allen, M.B, Davies, C.E, Kroonenberg, S, Simmons, M.D & Vincent, S.J (2004). Sedimentation in a discharge dominated fluvial-lacustrine system: the Neogene Productive Series of the South Caspian Basin, Azerbaijan. Marine and Petroleum Geology 21: 613-638.
• Allen, M.B, Ghassemi, M.R, Shahrabi, M & Qorashi, M (2003). Accommodation of late Cenozoic oblique shortening in the Alborz range, northern Iran. Journal of Structural Geology 25(5): 659-672.
• Blanc, E.J-P, Allen, M.B, Inger, S & Hassani, H (2003). Structural styles in the Zagros Simple Folded Zone, Iran. Journal of the Geological Society 160(3): 401-412.
• Allen, M.B, Vincent, S.J, Alsop, G.I, Ismail-zadeh, A & Flecker, R (2003). Late Cenozoic deformation in the South Caspian region: effects of a rigid basement block within a collision zone. Tectonophysics 366: 223-239.
• Morton, A, Allen, M.B, Simmons, M.D, Spathopoulos, F, Still, J, Hinds, D, Ismail-Zadeh, A & Kroonenberg, S (2003). Provenance patterns in a neotectonic basin: Pliocene and Quaternary sediment supply to the South Caspian. Basin Research 15: 321-337.
• Jackson, J, Priestley, K, Allen, M.B & Berberian, M (2002). Active tectonics of the South Caspian Basin. Geophysical Journal International 148: 214-245.
• Allen, M.B, Jones, S, Ismail-Zadeh, A, Simmons, M.D & Anderson, L (2002). Onset of subduction as the cause of rapid Pliocene-Quaternary subsidence in the South Caspian Basin. Geology 30(9): 775-778.
• Vincent, S.J & Allen, M.B (2001). Sedimentary record of Mesozoic intracontinental deformation in the eastern Junggar Basin, northwest China: Response to orogeny at the Asian margin. Memoirs of the Geological Society of America 194: 341-360.
• Allen, M.B, Alsop, G.I & Zhemchuzhnikov, V.G (2001). Dome and basin refolding and transpressive inversion along the Karatau Fault System, southern Kazakstan. Journal of the Geological Society of London 158: 83-95.
• Metcalfe, I & Allen, M.B (2000). Preface to Suture zones of East and Southeast Asia. Special Issue of Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 18: 635-636.
• Allen, M.B, Vincent, S.J & Wheeler, P.J (1999). Late Cenozoic tectonics of the Kepingtage thrust zone: Interactions of the Tien Shan and Tarim Basin, northwest China. Tectonics 18: 639-654.
• Vincent, S.J & Allen, M.B (1999). Sedimentary and structural evolution of the Minle and Chaoshui basins, Hexi Corridor and Alashan, northern China: implications for Mesozoic strike-slip basin evolution in Central Asia. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America 111: 725-742.
• Allen, M.B & Vincent, S.J (1999). Discussion of: Structural features of North Tarim Basin: Implications for regional tectonics and petroleum traps. Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists 83: 1279-1283.
• Allen, M.B. & Vincent, S.J. (1997). Fault reactivation in the Junggar region, northwest China: the role of basement structures during Mesozoic-Cenozoic compression. Journal of the Geological Society, London 154: 151-155.
• Allen, M.B, Macdonald, D I.M, Vincent, S.J, Brouet-Menzies, C & Zhao Xun (1997). Early Cenozoic two-phase extension and Late Cenozoic thermal subsidence and inversion of the Bohai Basin, northern China. Marine and Petroleum Geology 14: 951-972.
• Zhao Xun, Allen, M.B, Whitham, A.G & Price, S.P (1996). Rift-related Devonian sedimentation and basin development in South China. Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Sciences 14: 37-52.
• Allen, M.B, Sengör, A.M.C & Natal’in, B.A. (1995). Junggar, Turfan and Alakol basins as Late Permian to ?Early Triassic structures in a sinistral shear zone in the Altaid orogenic collage, Central Asia. Journal of Geological Society 152: 327-338.
• Allen, M.B, Windley, B.F & Zhang, C. (1994). Cenozoic tectonics in the Urumqi-Korla region of the Chinese Tien Shan. Geologische Rundschau 83: 406-416.
• Zhang, C, Zhao, M, Allen, M.B, Saunders, A.D, Wang, G & Huang, X (1993). Implications of Palaeozoic ophiolites from Western Junggar, NW China, for the tectonics of Central Asia. Journal of Geological Society 150: 551-561.
• Allen, M.B, Windley, B.F & Zhang, C (1993). Palaeozoic collisional tectonics and magmatism of the Chinese Tien Shan, central Asia. Tectonophysics 220: 89-155.
• Windley, B.F & Allen, M.B (1993). Mongolian plateau: Evidence for a late Cenozoic mantle plume under central Asia. Geology 21: 295-298.
• Allen, M.B, Windley, B.F, Zhang, C & Guo, J (1993). Evolution of the Turfan Basin, Chinese Central Asia. Tectonics 12: 889-896.
• Allen, M.B, Windley, B.F, Zhang, C, Zhao, Z & Wang, G (1991). Basin evolution within and adjacent to the Tien Shan Range, NW China. Journal of Geological Society 148: 369-378.
• Allen, M.B, Windley, B.F & Zhang, C (1991). Active alluvial systems in the Korla Basin, Tien Shan, northwest China: sedimentation in a complex foreland basin. Geological Magazine 128: 661-666.
• Windley, B.F, Allen, M.B, Zhang, C, Zhao, Z & Wang, G (1990). Paleozoic accretion and Cenozoic redeformation of the Chinese Tien Shan range, central Asia. Geology 18: 128-131.
• Allen, M.B, Zhang, C, Zhai, M, Saunders, A.D & Moon, C.J. (1989). Crustal accretion and mineralisation in western Junggar, Xinjiang Province, northwest China. Transations of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy: Section A- Mining Technology 98: B147-148.