Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2015-2016
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
Generation and geometry of fault rock
Project Leader(s):
Prof. Andy Nicol
Host Department/Organization:
Department of Geological Sciences
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words (box will expand as you type).
Faults have the potential to control the sub-surface flow of fluids (e.g., water, oil, gas and sequestered CO 2). To
understand better how and where faults influence flow we are studying their internal structure. These investigations will
mainly use outcrop field data to examine the geometries of fractures and low permeability gouge in fault zones from
multiple field sites and for different types of faults (e.g., normal, reverse and strike slip). The project will involve
mapping small-scale fault zones in detail and collecting outcrop samples during fieldwork in the Canterbury,
Marlborough and Taranaki regions. In addition, some laboratory analysis (including grain size, porosity and
permeability measurements) of samples collected during fieldwork will be conducted. The results will be used in future
to generate input parameters for fluid-flow models.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
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The research will be based at UC and include a component of fieldwork. The precise sites for field study have not yet
been determined but will probably include locations in inland Canterbury (e.g., western edge of the Canterbury Plains),
coastal Marlborough (e.g., Kaikoura Peninsula, Cape Campbell) and coastal Taranaki (e.g., Tongaporutu River area).
All fieldwork will be conducted with university staff members and/or post-graduate students and follow UC health and
Safety best practice. All fieldwork will be funded external to the UC Summer Scholarships programme (i.e. via
Research Grant E6405).
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
Work outside normal hours will not be required while conducting research on the university campus. In some
circumstances during fieldwork it may be necessary to work outside the hours of 8am to 5pm. Hours of fieldwork will
be dependent on a number of factors (including weather and tides) and will be determined on the day.
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
The student will gain valuable experience in gathering and interpreting fault outcrop data as part of a hypothesis-testing
science programme. They will develop research skills in the area of fault structural analysis using both field
observations and a range of laboratory techniques.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
This project would suit a student who has an undergraduate degree with a geology major. Preference will be given to
students who have completed some of the following courses; Geol 244, 352, 354, 357 and 473. The project would be
particularly relevant for those intending to conduct post-graduate research in structural geology and tectonics.
The student should be confident working with computers. Proficiency in Excel would be useful. The student must also
be fit, capable of walking up to 2-3 km per day and comfortable being outdoors in a range of weather conditions.
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