Dr Marc Reichow

I am a geoscientist with strong backgrounds in igneous petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry and geochronology. My research interests are diverse but focus on the formation of large igneous provinces, explosive volcanism and the role of volcanism in climate change. As school liaison tutor for Geology, I promote Earth Sciences and undertake research to enhance learning and teaching in higher education. Whether out in the field, in the laboratory, or in front of a class or audience, I am passionate about presenting geology in a real-word context. My ambition is to inspire the next generation of geoscientists to push the boundaries of scientific research and development and to achieve their academic career goals. Please get in touch if you want to find out more.

My research focuses on the timing, petrogenesis and source regions of mafic and silicic Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) from various tectonic settings and the role of large-scale volcanism in climate change. I utilise a wide range of methods including field evidence, geochemical, palaeomagnetic and isotope data (radiogenic and stable).

Research areas include

• Siberian Traps and Emeishan large igneous provinces, and Tarim igneous province
• Yellowstone volcanic track
• Subduction zone and intraplate volcanism including Mexico, central Europe and volcanism of the Canary islands

Some recent research paper highlights:

Bamberg, B., Walker, R., Reichow, M., and Ougier-Simonin, A. (2022). Fluid- driven cyclic reorganization in shallow basaltic fault zones: Geo-sphere, v. 18, no. X, p. 1–22, https://doi.org/10.1130 /GES02488.1

Blacker, K. J., Wang, Z., Zhang, Z., Reichow, M. K. (2021). New estimates on the basalt volume of the Tarim (not so large) igneous province, NW China. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 126: e2021JB022061. doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022061

Knott, T.R., Branney, M.J., Reichow, M. K., Finn, D.R., Tapster, S., Coe, R.S. (2020). Discovery of two new super-eruptions from the Yellowstone hotspot: Is Yellowstone hotspot waning? Geology, 48(9), 934─938. DOI 10.1130/G47384.1

I supervise students in igneous petrology and geochemistry focusing on magma formation and transformation. I focus on large-scale volcanism but also have a strong interest in monogenetic and subduction zone volcanism. Projects involve collaborative links with sedimentology, structural geology and palaeontology, also including industry links.

Starting this September Sam Bright:

Evaluation of crustal recycling and magma formation by subduction in the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt: New insights from the Ceboruco volcano, Mexico.

Recently completed PhD projects include:

The Physical and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fault Zones in Basaltic Rocks

The Role of Structural Inheritance Across the Ad Damm Shear Zone, Western-Central Part of Saudi Arabia and Its Influence During the Rifting of the Red Sea

Mid-Miocene explosive super-eruptions from the Yellowstone hotspot track: the rhyolitic ignimbrite record in south central Snake River Plain, Idaho, USA

I am currently co-supervising two PhD students, Erin Thompson (https://le.ac.uk/people/erin-thompson) and Sofia Chinaglia but have supervised over 30 MGeol and one further PhD project starting in October 2023.

I am involved in class-room and field-based teaching ranging from 1^st year undergraduate to postgraduate students including modules

GL1101 The Rock Cycle (module lead)

GL1106 Introductory Field Course

GL2100 Geological Field Skills

GL2103 Magmatic and Metamorphic Processes (module lead)

GL3101 Dissertation

GL4110 Igneous Petrogenesis