Position: Senior Lecturer Field: Geochemistry Organisation: School of Environment, The University of Auckland
Dr Phil Shane has a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington, and was a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto.
After moving to The University of Auckland, his studies have focused on the geology of volcanic regions. He is currently investigating the history of the Okataina volcanic centre in the central North Island. This involves studying the chemistry and isotope composition of minerals to assess the longevity of rhyolite magmas and to determine the mechanisms that cause them to erupt.
The eruptive history of the basaltic Auckland volcanic field using tephra layers in ancient lake sediments is also a current area of investigation. The purpose of that study is to assess past frequency and magnitude of eruptions for hazard analysis.
Phil is the Vice-president of the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) International Focus Group on Tephrochronology and Volcanism.
This article is based on information current in 2010.
