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David Buchs

Dr David Buchs

Senior Lecturer

School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Email
BuchsD@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 75313
Campuses
Main Building, Room 2.02, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

I am a field geologist interested in volcano-sedimentary processes and the formation and evolution of submarine to subaerial volcanic systems.

My work uses a cross-disciplinary approach that combines field/core observations with high to low-T geochemistry, lithostratigraphy and sediment provenance analysis. I offer professional advices to industrial partners on the nature of volcanic and sedimentary deposits (from their formation to alteration) as well as on the evaluation and management of geoheritage.

See Research tab for more information.

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Articles

Book sections

Research

The main themes of my research include:

  • Volcano-sedimentary processes, including alteration mechanisms.
  • Formation and geological evolution of subaqueous to subaerial volcanic systems (Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Japan Sea).
  • Tectonic evolution of convergent margins and the geological record of accretionary complexes/orogens (Central and South America, Europe, Australia, Middle East).

A substantial part of my research is dedicated to improving our understanding of the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. As part of this activity, I lead the Geological Research on the Isthmus of Panama (GRIP) project: open GRIP website.

My research expertise is used on a regular basis to help address issues in the industry and non-academic organisations (e.g., Panama Canal Authority, Geological Survey of Colombia, UNESCO Geoparks in the UK, and Natural Resources Wales). Don't hesitate to contact me if you require expertise in some of the themes addressed by my research (English, Spanish, or French welcome).

Teaching

  • Clastic sedimentology
  • Geological mapping and field skills
  • Alpine orogeny
  • Field volcanology (consultant activity)
  • Igneous geochemistry (consultant activity)

Biography

  • Senior Lecturer in Geology – School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University (2019-present)
  • Geoscience consultant (2016-present)
  • Research Associate – Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama (2018-2024)
  • Lecturer in Geology – School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University (2013-2019)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher – Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR), Germany (2011-2013)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher – Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University (2009-2011)
  • Assistant Curator, Museum of Natural History, Neuchâtel, Switzerland (2008-2009)
  • PhD in Geosciences – University of Lausanne, Switzerland (2008)
  • Assistant Curator, Museum of Geology, Lausanne, Switzerland (2004)
  • MSc in Earth Sciences – University of Lausanne, Switzerland (2003)
  • Diploma in Geology – University of Lausanne, Switzerland (2001)

Supervisions

I am open for supervision in following fields:

  • Volcano-sedimentary processes and the formation and evolution of volcanic systems
  • Tectono-magmatic processes constrained by volcaniclastic sediment provenance
  • Alteration of volcanic materials
  • Geoheritage characterisation and management.

Past projects

PhD projects:

  • Chenhang Lyu, Volcaniclastic foreland sedimentation in Switzerland and France to reconstruct past Alpine volcanism (2018-2023)
  • Niall Groome, Neoproterozoic-Ordovician Evolution of the Monian Subduction Complex, Wales UK (2017-2022)
  • Jian Wang, Late Cretaceous to Early Miocene Magmatic and Tectonic Evolution of Central Panama (2016-2021)
  • Joanna Brims, Geological and Geochemical Constraints on the Early Evolution of the Panama Arc (2016-2021)

Ms projects:

  • Anabel Pozniak, A Geochemical and Mineralogical Study of Volcanic Paleosols from Santa Maria Island, Azores Archipelago (2022-2023)
  • Becky Middleton, Tephrochronology of Tephra deposits off the coast of Ulleungdo Island, South Korea (2021-2022)
  • Edward Richardson, Lithofacies analysis of Carboniferous submarine volcano-sedimentary deposits from Sand Point, Middle Hope - Somerset (2021-2022)
  • Alex Boorman, Determining the Origins of Volcaniclastic Deposits in the Colombian Andes through Analysis of Pyroxenes - Do they Preserve Remanants of Accreted Cretaceous Island Arc(s) and/or Oceanic Plateau(s) (2019-2020)
  • Harry Shelmerdine, Constraining the Formation of Miocene Volcanoes in Panama by Petrographic and Geochemical Analyses: An Uncharted Island Arc in the Isthmus of Panama? (2019-2020) 
  • Samuel Oemering, Determining the Origin of Eocene Accreted Sediments of the San Pedrillo Unit (Osa Mélange, Costa Rica) Using Detrital Clinopyroxene Provenance (2018-2019)
  • Sander Molendijk, The magmatic plumbing system and shield to post-shield magmatic
    transition of an accreted ocean island, Panama (2017)
  • Samuel Pitchford, Petrography and Provenance of Volcano-Sedimentary Rocks along the Panama Canal (2016-2017)
  • Dyfan Roberts, Mineralogical and Mechanical Assessment of the Bentonitic Clay Shales of the Gaillard Cut, Panama (2016-2017)
  • Christian Griffith, Shield to post-shield magmatic evolution of an accreted ocean island, Panama (2014-2015)
  • Natalie Long, Detrital Pyroxenes as Sediment Provenance Tracers in the Forearc Slope of the Nankai Trough, Japan (2014-2015)
  • Gerallt Hughes, Volcanostratigraphic Evolution of the Louisville Seamounts, South Pacific (2013-2014)
  • Thomas Williams, Sedimentation patterns in the Japanese forearc, An assessment of detrital clinopyroxene provenance through trace element tectonic discrimination (2013-2014)