Rioux, M., Lissenberg, C. J., McLean, N. M., Bowring, S. A., MacLeod, C. J., Hellebrand, E. and Shimizu, N. 2012. Protracted timescales of lower crustal growth at the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise. Nature Geoscience 5(4), pp. 275-278. (10.1038/NGEO1378)

2011

Blackman, D. K. et al. 2011. Drilling constraints on lithospheric accretion and evolution at Atlantis Massif, Mid-Atlantic Ridge 30°N. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 116(B7), article number: B07103. (10.1029/2010JB007931)
MacLeod, C. J., Carlut, J., Escartín, J., Horen, H. and Morris, A. 2011. Quantitative constraint on footwall rotations at the 15°45'N oceanic core complex, Mid-Atlantic Ridge: implications for oceanic detachment fault processes. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 12(5), article number: Q0AG03. (10.1029/2011GC003503)

2009

MacLeod, C. J. et al. 2009. Life cycle of oceanic core complexes. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 287(3-4), pp. 333-344. (10.1016/j.epsl.2009.08.016)
Morris, A., Gee, J. S., Pressling, N., John, B. E., MacLeod, C. J., Grimes, C. B. and Searle, R. C. 2009. Footwall rotation in an oceanic core complex quantified using reoriented Integrated Ocean Drilling Program core samples. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 287(1-2), pp. 217-228. (10.1016/j.epsl.2009.08.007)

2007

McCaig, A. M., Cliff, R. A., Escartin, J., Fallick, A. E. and MacLeod, C. J. 2007. Oceanic detachment faults focus very large volumes of black smoker fluids. Geology -Boulder- 35(10), pp. 935-938. (10.1130/G23657A.1)
Ildefonse, B., Blackman, D. K., John, B. E., Ohara, Y., Miller, D. J. and MacLeod, C. J. 2007. Oceanic core complexes and crustal accretion at slow-spreading ridges. Geology -Boulder- 35(7), pp. 623-626. (10.1130/G23531A.1)

2005

Davies, R. J., MacLeod, C. J., Morgan, R. and Briggs, S. E. 2005. Termination of a fossil continent-ocean fracture zone imaged with three-dimensional seismic data: The Chain Fracture Zone, eastern equatorial Atlantic. Geology -Boulder- 33(8), pp. 641-644. (10.1130/G21530AR.1)

2004

Coogan, L. A., Thompson, G. M., MacLeod, C. J., Dick, H. J. B., Edwards, S. J., Scheirer, A. H. and Barry, T. L. 2004. A combined basalt and peridotite perspective on 14 million years of melt generation at the Atlantis Bank segment of the Southwest Indian Ridge: evidence for temporal changes in mantle dynamics?. Chemical Geology 207(1-2), pp. 13-30. (10.1016/j.chemgeo.2004.01.016)

2003

Escartin, J., Mevel, C., MacLeod, C. J. and McCaig, A. M. 2003. Constraints on deformation conditions and the origin of oceanic detachments: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge core complex at 15°45'N. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 4(8), pp. 1-37. (10.1029/2002GC000472)
Coogan, L. A., Banks, G. J., Gillis, K. M., MacLeod, C. J. and Pearce, J. A. 2003. Hidden melting signatures recorded in the Troodos ophiolite plutonic suite: evidence for widespread generation of depleted melts and intra-crustal melt aggregation. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 144(4), pp. 484-506. (10.1007/s00410-002-0413-2)
Mahmood, K., Prichard, H. M., MacLeod, C. J., Baloch, M. K., Fisher, P. C. and Gnos, E. 2003. Platinum-group element assemblages in chromitites from the Muslim Bagh ophiolite, Balochistan, Pakistan. Platinum-group element assemblages in chromitites from the Muslim Bagh ophiolite, Balochistan, Pakistan.. Acta Mineralogica Pakistanica 13, pp. 9-20.

2002

Coogan, L. A., Gillis, K. M., MacLeod, C. J. and Hékinian, R. 2002. Petrology and geochemistry of the lower ocean crust formed at the East Pacific Rise and exposed at Hess Deep: A synthesis and new results. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 3(11), pp. 1-30. (10.1029/2001GC000230)
MacLeod, C. J. et al. 2002. Direct geological evidence for oceanic detachment faulting: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 15°45'N. Geology 30(10), pp. 879-882. (10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0879:DGEFOD>2.0.CO;2)
Coogan, L. A., Thompson, G. and MacLeod, C. J. 2002. A textural and geochemical investigation of high level gabbros from the Oman ophiolite: implications for the role of the axial magma chamber at fast-spreading ridges. Lithos 63(1-2), pp. 67-82. (10.1016/S0024-4937(02)00114-7)

2001

Coogan, L. A., Wilson, R. N., Gillis, K. M. and MacLeod, C. J. 2001. Near-solidus evolution of oceanic gabbros: insights from amphibole geochemistry. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 65(23), pp. 4339-4357. (10.1016/S0016-7037(01)00714-1)
Coogan, L. A. et al. 2001. Whole-rock geochemistry of gabbros from the Southwest Indian Ridge: constraints on geochemical fractionations between the upper and lower oceanic crust and magma chamber processes at (very) slow-spreading ridges. Chemical Geology 178(1-4), pp. 1-22. (10.1016/S0009-2541(00)00424-1)

2000

MacLeod, C. J. and Yaouancq, G. 2000. A fossil melt lens in the Oman ophiolite: implications for magma chamber processes at fast spreading ridges. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 176(3-4), pp. 357-373. (10.1016/S0012-821X(00)00020-0)
Wright, D. J., Bloomer, S. H., MacLeod, C. J., Taylor, B. and Goodlife, A. M. 2000. Bathymetry of the Tonga Trench and Forearc: a map series. Marine Geophysical Researches 21(5), pp. 489-511. (10.1023/A:1026514914220)
Manning, C. E., MacLeod, C. J. and Weston, P. E. 2000. Lower-crustal cracking front at fast-spreading ridges: evidence from the East Pacific Rise and the Oman ophiolite. Special Papers of the Geological Society of America 349, pp. 261-272. (10.1130/0-8137-2349-3.261)
Yaouancq, G. and MacLeod, C. J. 2000. Petrofabric investigation of Gabbros from the Oman ophiolite: comparison between AMS and rock fabric. Marine Geophysical Researches 21(3-4), pp. 289-305. (10.1023/A:1026774111021)

1999

Escartín, J., Cowie, P. A., Searle, R. C., Allerton, S., Mitchell, N. C., MacLeod, C. and Slootweg, A. P. 1999. Quantifying tectonic strain and magmatic accretion at a slow spreading ridge segment, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 29°N. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 104(B5), pp. 10421-10437. (10.1029/1998JB900097)
Clift, P. D. and MacLeod, C. J. 1999. Slow rates of subduction erosion estimated from subsidence and tilting of the Tonga forearc. Geology -Boulder- 27(5), pp. 411-414. (10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0411:SROSEE>2.3.CO;2)
Benaouda, D., Wadge, G., Whitmarsh, R., Rothwell, R. and MacLeod, C. 1999. Inferring the lithology of borehole rocks by applying neural network classifiers to downhole logs: an example from the Ocean Drilling Program. Geophysical Journal International 136(2), pp. 477-491. (10.1046/j.1365-246X.1999.00746.x)
Hutchinson, D., Prichard, H. M. and MacLeod, C. J. 1999. Evidence for partial melting and melt impregnation of mantle peridotites leading-to PGM deposition: a comparison of samples from the Lizard and Troodos ophiolites and the Tonga Trench. Presented at: 5th Biennial Meeting of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA) and the 10th Quadrennial Symposium of the International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits (IAGOD), London, UK, 22-25 August 1999 Presented at Stanley, C. J. ed.Mineral Deposits: Processes to Processing, Vol. 1. Rotterdam: A.A.Balkema Publishers pp. 729-732.

1998

Clift, P. D., MacLeod, C. J., Tappin, D. R., Wright, D. J. and Bloomer, S. H. 1998. Tectonic controls on sedimentation and diagenesis in the Tonga Trench and forearc, southwest Pacific. Geological Society of America Bulletin 110(4), pp. 483-496. (10.1130/0016-7606(1998)110<0483:TCOSAD>2.3.CO;2)
Searle, R. C. et al. 1998. Fault structure and detailed evolution of a slow spreading ridge segment: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 29 degrees N. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 154(1-4), pp. 167-183. (10.1016/S0012-821X(97)00160-X)
Wadge, G., Benaouda, D., Ferrier, G., Whitmarsh, R., Rothwell, R. and MacLeod, C. 1998. Lithological classification within ODP holes using neural networks trained from integrated core-log data. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 136(1), pp. 129-140. (10.1144/GSL.SP.1998.136.01.11)

1996

Boudier, F., MacLeod, C. and Bolou, L. 1996. Structures in Peridotites from Site 895, Hess Deep: Implications for the geometry of mantle flow beneath the East Pacific Rise. In: Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results Vol. 147. College Station, Texas: Ocean Drilling Program, pp. 347-356., (10.2973/odp.proc.sr.147.021.1996)
MacLeod, C., Boudier, F., Yaouancq, G. and Richter, C. 1996. Gabbro fabrics from Site 894, Hess Deep: Implications for magma chamber processes at the East Pacific Rise. In: Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results Vol. 147. College Station, Texas: Ocean Drilling Program, pp. 317-328., (10.2973/odp.proc.sr.147.018.1996)
MacLeod, C., Celerier, B., Fruh-Green, G. and Manning, C. 1996. Tectonics of Hess Deep: a synthesis of drilling results from Leg 147. In: Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results Vol. 147. College Station, Texas: Ocean Drilling Program, pp. 461-475., (10.2973/odp.proc.sr.147.032.1996)
Manning, C. E. and MacLeod, C. 1996. Fracture-controlled metamorphism of Hess Deep Gabbros, Site 894: constraints on the roots of mid-ocean-ridge hydrothermal systems at fast-spreading centers. In: Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program. Scientific Results Vol. 147. College Station, Texas: Ocean Drilling Program, pp. 189-212., (10.2973/odp.proc.sr.147.011.1996)

1995

MacLeod, C. J. and Murton, B. J. 1995. On the sense of slip of the southern troodos transform-fault zone, Cyprus.. Geology 23(3), pp. 257-260. (10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0257:OTSOSO>2.3.CO;2)
Bloomer, S. H., Taylor, B., MacLeod, C., Stern, R. J., Fryer, P., Hawkins, J. W. and Johnson, L. 1995. Early arc volcanism and the ophiolite problem: a perspective from drilling in the western Pacific. In: Active margins and marginal basins of the Western Pacific. Geophysical monograph series Vol. 88. American Geophysical Union, pp. 1-30., (10.1029/GM088p0001)

1994

Gass, I. G., MacLeod, C. J., Murton, B. J., Panayiotou, A., Simonian, K. O. and Xenophontos, C. 1994. The geological evolution of the Southern Troodos transform fault zone. Memoir Vol. 9. Nicosia, Cyprus: Geological Survey Department.

1992

MacLeod, C. J. et al. 1992. Comment [on “Tectonic evolution of the Troodos ophiolite within the Tethyan framework” by Y. Dilek, P. Thy, E. M. Moores, and T. W. Ramsden]. Tectonics 11(4), pp. 910-915. (10.1029/92TC00458)

1990

MacLeod, C. J., Allerton, S., Gass, I. G. and Xenophontos, C. 1990. Structure of a fossil ridge-transform intersection in the troodos ophiolite. Nature 348(6303), pp. 717-720. (10.1038/348717a0)

Chris's principal scientific interests centre on the processes of formation and deformation of ocean lithosphere at mid-ocean ridges. He is presently focusing his research on detachment fault processes at slow-spreading ridges and on the mechanisms of accretion of the lower crust at fast-spreading ridges. His work is mostly based around meso-scale geological and geophysical investigations of modern ocean floor, and field-based studies of ophiolite complexes (principally Oman and Cyprus).

Before coming to Cardiff in 1995 Chris worked at the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences in Wormley (now relocated to the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton) and University of Leicester on the structural geological applications of borehole geophysical data. Before that he had held post-doctoral research fellowships at the Open University and the Université de Montpellier 2 in France, studying ocean-floor processes as recorded in ophiolite complexes.

Since 2005 Chris has been seconded from the School of Earth, Ocean & Planetary Sciences to run the European science planning office of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). He is returning to normal university duties in October 2007. He teaches courses in plate tectonics and geodynamics at second, third and fourth year undergraduate level, and leads the Year 3 fieldcourse to Cyprus.

Accretion of the lower oceanic crust at fast-spreading ridges: a rock drill and near-bottom seafloor survey in support of IODP drilling in Hess Deep (with Dr. Damon Teagle, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton). NERC grant NE/C509023/1 (£332,992). Generation of ocean lithosphere by seafloor spreading at the 60,000km-long chain of mid-ocean ridges is one of the fundamental geological processes operating on Earth. One of the most important problems is to understand how magma generated in the mantle beneath ridges builds the ocean crust, which floors 60% of the surface of the Earth. Studying the deeper part of the crust (formed in a sub-seafloor magma chamber) is difficult as it is usually blanketed by submarine lava flows. This is particularly acute for crust formed at fast spreading rates. The only known exception is a 5400m-deep submarine rift valley in the eastern Equatorial Pacific known as Hess Deep, where the valley walls expose a complete cross-section through the ocean crust into the underlying mantle. This unique section has previously been the subject of several piecemeal submersible investigations, and an IODP project to carry out deep-penetration drilling in Hess Deep has been proposed; however, far more detailed knowledge of the background geology is required before resources can be committed.

In January 2008 Chris will lead a NERC-funded cruise to Hess Deep in the UK's new research ship RRS James Cook. The aim of the expedition is to make a detailed sonar and optical survey of the lower crustal section in Hess Deep using the UK's ISIS remotely-operated vehicle in order to support future IODP operations. In addition the survey will be used as the basis for a sampling programme using the British Geological Survey's 'BRIDGE' seabed rock drill. With this unique device Chris and colleagues will attempt to obtain large numbers of short (1m-long) orientated cores to construct a transect through the lower crust. To these samples a variety of geochemical and geophysical measurements will be made, with the intention of (for example) constraining heat and mass flux from the Earth's mantle to crust and crust to ocean, and testing competing models for the functioning of mid-ocean ridge magma chambers.

Prof Chris MacLeod - Cardiff School of Earth and Social Sciences

Launching the TOBI deep-towed
sidescan sonar vehicle.

Geological and Geophysical Studies of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 12º30'N to 14º30'N (with Prof. R.C. Searle, Durham University and Dr. B.J. Murton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton). NERC grant NE/B500058/1 £147,575 (Cardiff award; total £268,067).

In March-April 2007 Chris took part in cruise JC007, the maiden scientific voyage of RRS James Cook. During this NERC-funded expedition a deep-towed TOBI sidescan sonar survey of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge axis in the 13°N region was conducted, and the region sampled by dredging and by using the British Geological Survey's BRIDGE seabed rock drill. The project aims to provide constraints on the processes of lithospheric accretion and mechanisms of plate separation at a magma-starved mid-ocean ridge, including further insights into the development of oceanic core complexes.

Prof Chris MacLeod - Cardiff School of Earth and Ocean Sciences

Chris separating volcanic glass
from pelagic mud in a dredge haul,
Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 14°N 45°W.

The expedition received extensive media coverage worldwide (e.g. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6405667.stm).

Ongoing/recent Research Projects

The British Geological Survey's 'BRIDGE' rock drill, as depicted on the November 2002 cover of 'Geology'.

Origin of oceanic core complexes In 2001 Chris led a NERC-funded expedition (with Dr. J. Escartin, IPG Paris) on RRS James Clark Ross to investigate the origin of oceanic core complexes: flat-topped massifs with prominent spreading-direction-parallel striations recently discovered at slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges. Mantle and lower crustal lithologies are associated with these massifs, which have been interpreted as representing the footwalls of major detachment faults. Using the BRIDGE rock drill 63 sites were successfully cored on one such massif at 15°45'N, providing the first substantive in situ sampling of an oceanic core complex. Chris and colleagues showed that the striated surface of the massif is composed predominantly of low-temperature talc-bearing schistose fault rock formed within a major detachment fault zone. They were able to demonstrate that dramatic strain localisation occurred as water penetrated along the detachment and formed weak scaley hydrous minerals on the fault plane. Continuing studies of the small-scale structure and palaeomagnetism of the geographically orientated cores (with Dr. J. Carlut, ENS Paris, and Dr. Escartin) are helping to unravel the kinematics of core complex formation and mantle exhumation at the mid-ocean ridge axis.

The British Geological Survey's
'BRIDGE' rock drill, as depicted on
the November 2002 cover of 'Geology'.

Previously, Chris co-led (with Dr. H. Dick, Woods Hole) an expedition on RRS James Clark Ross to Atlantis Bank, a gabbro massif on the Southwest Indian Ridge. This is an oceanic core complex also, though the deformation mechanisms are different from the 15°45'N example. In conjunction with ODP drilling this study is helping in our understanding of the relationship between magmatism and deformation in slow-spreading environments.

Orientated BRIDGE drill core of mylonitic gabbro, SW Indian Ridge

Oman ophiolite Since 1988 Chris has been conducting field-based investigations of the ophiolite of the Sultanate of Oman. The Semail nappe in Oman and the United Arab Emirates is the largest and best-preserved ophiolite in the world, and offers a unique opportunity to study mid-ocean ridge processes in detail. It is believed to have formed at a fast-spreading ridge and, until we can learn more about Hess Deep (see above), has guided most of our ideas about crustal accretion at fast spreading rates. Chris has conducted a study of sheeted dyke-gabbro relationships across the ophiolite with the aim of understanding the spreading structure of the Oman palaeo-ridge and the nature of the top of the axial magma chamber. By means of coupled structural and petrological and geochemical studies of intact lower crustal sections he and his research students/post-docs have been able to document some of the physical and chemical processes operating in the magma chamber and place important constraints on the mechanisms of crustal accretion.

Prof Chris MacLeod - Cardiff School of Earth and Ocean Sciences

Orientated BRIDGE drill core of mylonitic gabbro, SW Indian Ridge

Chris in the field in the Oman ophiolite. The crust-mantle boundary - the 'Moho' - lies below the mountain top on the extreme right of the picture.

Summary of external activities:ESSAC Chair and head of the ESSAC Office, 2005-2007, Chris is currently the Chair of ESSAC, the ECORD Science Support and Advisory Committee (http://www.essac.ecord.org). The European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD) is the organisation through which 16 European nations (plus Canada) participate in IODP. ESSAC provides science advice to ECORD and coordinates ECORD's scientific activities in IODP (http://www.iodp.org). ESSAC is responsible for the selection of European scientists for IODP expeditions and for IODP's Science Advisory Structure panels. The ESSAC Office, based in Cardiff, organises or sponsors outreach activities such as the ECORD Distinguished Lecturer Programme, annual IODP-themed summer schools in Urbino and Bremen, and a scholarship scheme for outstanding young IODP scientists.

Prof Chris MacLeod - Cardiff School of Earth and Ocean Sciences

Chris in the field in the Oman
ophiolite. The crust-mantle
boundary - the 'Moho' - lies
below the mountain top on the
extreme right of the picture.

ECORD representative, IODP Science Planning Committee, 2003-2007 Chris is one of four ECORD scientists serving on the highest level committee of the IODP Science Advisory Structure, which deals with all scientific coordination and planning within IODP, including ranking of proposals and scheduling of IODP cruises. Responsibilities include ensuring that European rights and interests are met within IODP.

NERC UKIODP Grants Committee and Strategy Group member, 2003-present Responsible for overseeing the UK's contribution to IODP (through ECORD), which is supported by the Natural Environment Research Council. Chris is also a member of the committee that reviews IODP-themed NERC grant proposals.

InterRidge Deep Earth Sampling Working Group member, 2004-present

I teach classroom modules in plate tectonics and geodynamics, and supervise Masters-level student research projects. I lead field courses in Cornwall and in Cyprus, and supervise geological mapping projects in Scotland and elsewhere.

School Deputy Safety Officer
Currently seconded (2005-2007) to chair ESSAC, the Science Support & Advisory Committee of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program)

Academia

BSc Geology (Durham) 1984
PhD "Tectonic Evolution of the Eastern Limassol Forest Complex, Troodos Ophiolite, Cyprus" (Open) 1988

Affiliations

American Geophysical Union
Fellow Geological Society

Awards

John W. Most Award for Field Geology, 1984

Mae gen i ddiddordeb mewn goruchwylio myfyrwyr PhD ym meysydd:

- Prosesau cefnen ganol-cefnfor o astudio samplau a data modern ar lawr y cefnfor

- Prosesau cefnen ganol-cefnfor o astudio ophiolitau

- Prosesau basn ymylol, 'arc babanod' a phrosesau cychwyn issugno

Contact Details

Macleod@caerdydd.ac.uk
+44 29208 74332
Y Prif Adeilad, Ystafell 2.23, Plas y Parc, Caerdydd, CF10 3AT

Yr Athro Christopher MacLeod

Trosolwyg

Interests

Cyhoeddiad

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