I wanted to be part of a larger project which is discovering/exploring new and aims to deliver something useful/practical to the society. I also had many ‘dream-jobs’ in the past and they kept changing throughout the years, especially once I entered university: explorer; engineer; volcanologist; seismologist; a consultant/technician in the industry; a digi-nomad. (Don’t know what is next – an astronaut perhaps?) I feel this project combines all those aspects mentioned above: we are creating new engineering prospects while exploring a volcanic area and co-operating with public and industry, while trying to model unknown geophysical, geochemical, and geological features – together as one large group of specialists from different backgrounds, trying to create “greener future”.
I have always loved challenging myself, exploring and learning new: new places; new skills; new theories and knowledge. My absolute favourite has been usually field work. However, in my research, the main objective is not working outside, but using computation, and discrete seismological methods instead. This is something I always wanted to learn or become better at, and I am looking forward to seeing the results. Also, the computation work is not depending on time and place as much as other types of analysis and work in the industry - this is very beneficial at the times of pandemic, I feel privileged.
I have not published anything yet, but I started doing greywacke fracture mapping related to same exploration in summer 2020-2021 as a summer scholar. Some of the fracture trace drawings on the outcrop photos look amazing!
What was the research finding?
Surface outcrops of greywacke are intensely fractured, and multiple past stress orientations can be derived from these highly deformed rocks. There are some characteristic features depending on lithology (Argillite vs Sandstone): Sandstone tends to have somewhat more systematic larger scale jointing with/without mineral infill; argillite layers have more intense networks of hairline veins, which sometimes appear less systematic.
Why is it important?
To get a fracture network analogue from surface to currently inaccessible deep basement rocks, for modelling. It is possible that there is fracture-derived permeability in current stress regime if the deep basement rocks have similar fractures as the surface outcrops.
Where are you?
On Monkey Bay Beach, between Blenheim and Picton.
What are you doing?
“Lizarding” while fracture mapping, aka absorbing the heat of the sun-warmed rocks on morning tea break. We were working on fractures of a shady outcrop next to ocean, so it got a bit chilly.