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Associate Professor in the Department of Earth SciencesRm 318+44 (0) 191 33 42343

Biography

My research is in igneous petrology, volcanology and magmatism, with a focus on understanding processes of magma storage, chemical evolution and migration within the crust using both natural materials and experimental approaches. My current research interests include (i) using crystal textures to understand and quantify magma solidification and the physical behaviour of crystal mushes, and (ii) volatiles in volcanic processes, including the timing of fluid exsolution and the enrichment and migration of metals in volcanic settings. 

Current and recent research projects include:

  • using crystal textures combined with apatite geochemistry to interpret crystal mush behaviour in the lead-up to big eruptions (ERC Consolidator; PI)
  • using plagioclase crystal textures to understand mush processes in intermediate arc magmatic systems (NERC; PI)
  • defining speciation and structural environments for metals and volatiles complexes in silicate melts (in collaboration with Alex Iveson; Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship)
  • metal enrichment and extraction from granites

We have a very active volcanology-petrology group in Durham. Currently working with me are: (i) Dr Martin Mangler, working on plagioclase-rich crystal mushes in subduction zone magmas; (ii) Dr Alex Iveson (Leverhulme Early Career Fellow), working on halogens and trace elements in evolved melts; (iii) Dr Charline Lormand, who is working on the behaviour of volatiles in apatite; and (iv) Dr Amanda Lindoo, who is working on crystal shape in plagioclase.

Current PhD students include Annabelle Foster, who is working on sintering textures in obsidian (primary supervisor Fabian Wadsworth); Ceri Allgood, who is working on textures and experiments related to dyke propagation and flow (primary supervisor Ed Llewellin); Gemma Brown, who is working on apatite volatile geochemistry in the Canary islands; Katie Schofield, who is working on crystal textures and chemistry in plutonic rocks from the Adamello batholith, and Ella Richmond, who is investigating lithium enrichment and mobilisation in granites. 

Recent graduate students include Dr Madeleine Stow, who worked on transition metal stable isotope fractionation in granites (primary supervisor Julie Prytulak); Dr Kris Sokól (St Andrews) who worked on fenite alteration around alkaline intrusions (primary supervisor Adrian Finch); and Eshbal Geifman (now at Trinity College, Dublin) who has recently completed her MScR thesis on high-temperature plagioclase crystallisation experiments using a microscope-mounted heating stage.

I am always happy to hear from potential graduate students or post-docs interested in developing projects at Durham.


MScR projects available! 

There are currently two opportunities to join the group on a 12-month MScR (Master's by research) project:

Project 1. Exploring deep supply and mingling dynamics of mafic magma at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat (led by Dr Martin Mangler)

Project 2. Crystal shapes in lavas from Mount Etna, Sicily (with Dr Amanda Lindoo. 

Research costs associated with the projects will be met by the supervisor. University tuition fees are detailed here (Band 2). Applications are welcome at any time and there is no specific start date.

For further information or to discuss joining the group, please get in touch! 

madeleine.humphreys@durham.ac.uk.


Research groups

  • Geochemistry Research Group
  • Volcanology Research Group

Related Links

Awarded Grants

  • 2020: Magma mush eruptibility: the lifetime of mobile magma(£492261.42 from Natural Environmental Research Council)
  • 2020: STEMMS: Storage and Eruption of Mushy Magma Systems(£1513850.77 from Interreg (ERDF) Europe)
  • 2018: Apatite as a Monitor of Magmatic Processes and Timescales(£8283.00 from Natural Environmental Research Council)
  • 2016: RF050272: Royal Society University Research Fellowship Renewal, The Royal Society, £278k
  • 2016: RF050291: Reconstructing eruptive processes from volatile distribution in volcanic glass, NERC - Natural Environment Research Council, £482k
  • 2014: Volatiles, Geodynamics and Solid Earth Controls on the Habitable Planet(£403276.00 from NERC - Natural Environment Research Council)
  • 2013: PI, RF050219: University Research Fellowship, The Royal Society, £658k (transferred from University of Oxford, October 2013)
  • 2013: PI, RF050236: Apatite as a quantitative tool for tephrochronology and magmatic evolution, NERC, £199k
  • 2013: PI, RF050241: The structure and rheology of crystal mushes, NERC, £10.9k

Esteem Indicators

  • 2020: Associate Editor, Journal of Petrology:
  • 2019: Wager Medal, IAVCEI:
  • 2017: Editorial board member, Geology:
  • 2012: Max Hey medal, Mineralogical Society of Great Britain:
  • 2008: President's Award, Geological Society of London:

Publications

Chapter in book

Journal Article

Supervision students