Professor Johan Lissenberg

Professor

School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

: Available for postgraduate supervision

Johan's research focuses on understanding magmatism on Earth, from mantle source composition to eruption, with emphasis on oceanic magmatic systems and the plutonic record of magmatic processes. He approaches this from a petrological and geochemical perspective, with a particular focus on in-situ methods applied to the crystal-scale.
He also leads the Centre for Solid Earth and Natural Resources.

2024

Spencer, L. et al. 2024. Tracing hydrous eclogite melts in the source of sanukitoids. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 648, article number: 119067. (10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119067)
Jansen, M. N., MacLeod, C. J., Lissenberg, C. J., Parkinson, I. J. and Condon, D. J. 2024. Relationship between of D-MORB and E-MORB magmatism during crustal accretion at mid-ocean ridges: evidence from the Masirah ophiolite (Oman). Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 25(3), article number: e2023GC011361. (10.1029/2023GC011361)
Zhang, W., Liu, C., Lissenberg, C. J. and Li, X. 2024. Post-cumulus control on copper isotopic fractionation during oceanic intra-crustal magmatic differentiation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 369, pp. 35-50. (10.1016/j.gca.2024.01.030)
Klaver, M. et al. 2024. Titanium-rich basaltic melts on the Moon modulated by reactive flow processes. Nature Geoscience 17, pp. 118-123. (10.1038/s41561-023-01362-5)

2023

Ribeiro, J., MacLeod, C. J. and Lissenberg, C. J. 2023. Did the Troodos ophiolite of Cyprus form during subduction inception?. Chemical Geology 641, article number: 121774. (10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121774)
Lissenberg, C. J., Condon, D. J., Smye, A. J. and Anma, R. 2023. Crystallization of superfast‐spreading oceanic crust (ODP Hole 1256D, Pacific Ocean): constraints from zircon geochronology. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 24(10), article number: e2023GC010964. (10.1029/2023gc010964)
Gleeson, M. L. M., Lissenberg, C. J. and Antoshechkina, P. M. 2023. Porosity evolution of mafic crystal mush during reactive flow. Nature Communications 14, article number: 3088. (10.1038/s41467-023-38136-x)

2022

Ferrando, C. et al. 2022. Brown amphibole as tracer of tectono-magmatic evolution of the Atlantis Bank Oceanic Core Complex (IODP Hole U1473A). Journal of Petrology 63(9), article number: egac089. (10.1093/petrology/egac089)
Ribeiro, J., MacLeod, C., Lissenberg, J., Ryan, J. and Macpherson, C. 2022. Origin and evolution of the slab fluids since subduction inception in the Izu-Bonin-Mariana: A comparison with the southeast Mariana fore-arc rift. Chemical Geology 601, article number: 120813. (10.1016/j.chemgeo.2022.120813)

2020

Sanfilippo, A., MacLeod, C. J., Tribuzio, R., Lissenberg, C. J. and Zanetti, A. 2020. Early-stage melt-rock reaction in a cooling crystal mush beneath a slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge (IODP Hole U1473A, Atlantis Bank, Southwest Indian Ridge). Frontiers in Earth Science 8, article number: 579138. (10.3389/feart.2020.579138)
Boulanger, M., France, L., Deans, J. R., Ferrando, C., Lissenberg, C. J. and von der Handt, A. 2020. Magma reservoir formation and evolution at a slow-spreading center (Atlantis Bank, Southwest Indian Ridge). Frontiers in Earth Science 8, article number: 554598. (10.3389/feart.2020.554598)
Hoare, L., Klaver, M., Saji, N. S., Gillies, J., Parkinson, I. J., Lissenberg, C. J. and Millet, M. 2020. Melt chemistry and redox conditions control titanium isotope fractionation during magmatic differentiation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 282, pp. 38-54. (10.1016/j.gca.2020.05.015)

2019

Yang, A. Y., Wang, C., Liang, Y. and Lissenberg, C. J. 2019. Reaction between mid-ocean ridge basalt and lower oceanic crust: an experimental study. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 20(9), pp. 4390 - 4407. (10.1029/2019GC008368)
Bennett, E. N., Jenner, F. E., Millet, M., Cashman, K. V. and Lissenberg, C. J. 2019. Deep roots for mid-ocean-ridge volcanoes revealed by plagioclase-hosted melt inclusions. Nature 572(7768), pp. 235-239. (10.1038/s41586-019-1448-0)
Lambart, S., Koornneef, J. M., Millet, M., Davies, G. R., Cook, M. and Lissenberg, C. J. 2019. Highly heterogeneous depleted mantle recorded in the lower oceanic crust. Nature Geoscience 12, pp. 482-486. (10.1038/s41561-019-0368-9)
Graaff, S. J., Goodenough, K. M., Klaver, M., Lissenberg, C. J., Jansen, M. N., Millar, I. and Davies, G. R. 2019. Evidence for a moist to wet source transition throughout the Oman-UAE ophiolite, and implications for the geodynamic history. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 20(2), pp. 651-672. (10.1029/2018GC007923)
Lissenberg, C. J., MacLeod, C. J. and Bennett, E. N. 2019. Consequences of a crystal mush-dominated magma plumbing system: a mid-ocean ridge perspective. Philosophical Transactions A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 377(2139) (10.1098/rsta.2018.0014)
Sanfilippo, A., Dick, H. J. B., Marschall, H. R., Lissenberg, C. J. and Urann, B. 2019. Emplacement and high-temperature evolution of gabbros of the 16.5°N oceanic core complexes (Mid-Atlantic Ridge): Insights ito the compositional variability of the lower oceanic crust. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 20(1), pp. 46-66. (10.1029/2018GC007512)

2018

Jansen, M. N. et al. 2018. Isotopic variation in Semail Ophiolite lower crust reveals crustal-level melt aggregation. Geochemical Perspectives Letters 8, pp. 37-42. (10.7185/geochemlet.1827)
Sun, C. and Lissenberg, C. J. 2018. Formation of fast-spreading lower oceanic crust as revealed by a new Mg–REE coupled geospeedometer. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 487, pp. 165-178. (10.1016/j.epsl.2018.01.032)
Leuthold, J., Lissenberg, C., O'Driscoll, B., Karakas, O., Falloon, T., Klimentyeva, D. N. and Ulmer, P. 2018. Partial melting of Lower Oceanic Crust Gabbro: Constraints from Poikilitic Clinopyroxene Primocrysts. Frontiers in Earth Science 6, article number: 15. (10.3389/feart.2018.00015)
Karykowski, B. T., Yang, S., Maier, W. D., Lahaye, Y., Lissenberg, C. J. and O'Brien, H. 2018. In situ Sr isotope compositions of plagioclase from a complete stratigraphic profile of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa: evidence for extensive magma mixing and percolation. Journal of Petrology 58(11), pp. 2285-2308. (10.1093/petrology/egy008)

2017

Klaver, M., Matveev, S., Berndt, J., Lissenberg, C. J. and Vroon, P. Z. 2017. A mineral and cumulate perspective to magma differentiation at Nisyros volcano, Aegean arc. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 172(11-12), article number: 95. (10.1007/s00410-017-1414-5)

2016

Lissenberg, C. J. and MacLeod, C. J. 2016. A reactive porous flow control on mid-ocean ridge magmatic evolution. Journal of Petrology 57(11-12), pp. 2195-2220. (10.1093/petrology/egw074)
Lissenberg, C. J., Rioux, M., MacLeod, C. J., Bowring, S. A. and Shimizu, N. 2016. Crystallization depth beneath an oceanic detachment fault (ODP Hole 923A, Mid-Atlantic Ridge). Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 17(1), pp. 162-180. (10.1002/2015GC006027)

2015

Hayes, B., Bédard, J. H., Hryciuk, M., Wing, B., Nabelek, P., MacDonald, W. D. and Lissenberg, C. J. 2015. Sulfide immiscibility induced by wall-rock assimilation in a fault-guided basaltic feeder system, Franklin Large Igneous Province, Victoria Island (Arctic Canada). Economic Geology 110(7), pp. 1697-1717. (10.2113/econgeo.110.7.1697)
Rioux, M. et al. 2015. U-Pb dating of interspersed gabbroic magmatism and hydrothermal metamorphism during lower crustal accretion, Vema lithospheric section, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 120(4), pp. 2093-2118. (10.1002/2014JB011668)
Hayes, B., Lissenberg, C. J., Bédard, J. and Beard, C. 2015. The geochemical effects of olivine slurry replenishment and dolostone assimilation in the plumbing system of the Franklin Large Igneous Province, Victoria Island, Arctic Canada. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 169, article number: 22. (10.1007/s00410-015-1117-8)
Hayes, B., Bédard, J. H. and Lissenberg, C. J. 2015. Olivine slurry replenishment and the development of igneous layering in a Franklin sill, Victoria Island, Arctic Canada. Journal of Petrology 56(1), pp. 83-112. (10.1093/petrology/egu072)

2014

De Hoog, J. C. M., Lissenberg, C. J., Brooker, R. A., Hinton, R., Trail, D. and Hellebrand, E. 2014. Hydrogen incorporation and charge balance in natural zircon. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 141, pp. 472-486. (10.1016/j.gca.2014.06.033)

2013

MacLeod, C. J., Lissenberg, C. J. and Bibby, L. E. 2013. "Moist MORB" axial magmatism in the Oman ophiolite: The evidence against a mid-ocean ridge origin. Geology 41(4), pp. 459-462. (10.1130/G33904.1)
Lissenberg, C. J., MacLeod, C. J., Howard, K. A. and Godard, M. 2013. Pervasive reactive melt migration through fast-spreading lower oceanic crust (Hess Deep, equatorial Pacific Ocean). Earth and Planetary Science Letters 361, pp. 436-447. (10.1016/j.epsl.2012.11.012)

2012

Teagle, D. et al. 2012. Superfast Spreading Rate Crust 4: Expedition 335 of the riserless drilling platform Puntarenas, Costa Rica, to Balboa, Panama Site 1256 13 April–3 June 2011. Proceedings of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program 35, article number: 301. (10.2204/iodp.proc.335.101.2012)
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

Expedition 335 Scientists, . et al. 2011. Superfast spreading rate crust 4: drilling gabbro in intact ocean crust formed at a superfast spreading rate - 13 April–3 June 2011. Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Preliminary Report Vol. 335. Washington, DC: Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International, Inc. (10.2204/iodp.pr.335.2011)

2007

van Staal, C. et al. 2007. The Notre Dame arc and the Taconic orogeny in Newfoundland. In: Hatcher, R. D. et al. eds. 4-D Framework of Continental Crust. GSA Memoirs Vol. 200. Boulder, CO: Geological Society of America, pp. 511-552., (10.1130/2007.1200(26))

2006

Whalen, J. B., McNicoll, V. J., van Staal, C. R., Lissenberg, C. J., Longstaffe, F. J., Jenner, G. A. and van Breeman, O. 2006. Spatial, temporal and geochemical characteristics of Silurian collision-zone magmatism, Newfoundland Appalachians: An example of a rapidly evolving magmatic system related to slab break-off. Lithos 89(3-4), pp. 377-404. (10.1016/j.lithos.2005.12.011)
Zagorevski, A., Rogers, N., van Staal, C. R., McNicoll, V., Lissenberg, C. J. and Valverde-Vaquero, P. 2006. Lower to Middle Ordovician evolution of peri-Laurentian arc and backarc complexes in Iapetus: Constraints from the Annieopsquotch accretionary tract, central Newfoundland. Geological Society of America Bulletin 118(3-4), pp. 324-342. (10.1130/B25775.1)
Lissenberg, C. J., McNicholl, V. J. and van Staal, C. R. 2006. The origin of mafic-ultramafic bodies within the northern Dashwoods Subzone, Newfoundland Appalachians. Atlantic Geology 42(1), pp. 1-12.
Lissenberg, C. J. and van Staal, C. R. 2006. Feedback between deformation and magmatism in the Lloyds River Fault Zone: An example of episodic fault reactivation in an accretionary setting, Newfoundland Appalachians. Tectonics 25(4), article number: TC4004. (10.1029/2005TC001789)

2005

Lissenberg, C. J., van Staal, C. R., Bédard, J. H. and Zagorevski, A. 2005. Geochemical constraints on the origin of the Annieopsquotch ophiolite belt, Newfoundland Appalachians. Geological Society of America Bulletin 117(11-12), pp. 1413-1426. (10.1130/B25731.1)
Lissenberg, C. J., Zagorevski, A., McNicoll, V. J., van Staal, C. R. and Whalen, J. B. 2005. Assembly of the Annieopsquotch Accretionary Tract, Newfoundland Appalachians: Age and Geodynamic Constraints from Syn‐Kinematic Intrusions. The Journal of Geology 113(5), pp. 553-570. (10.1086/431909)

2004

Lissenberg, C. J., Bédard, J. H. and van Staal, C. R. 2004. The structure and geochemistry of the gabbro zone of the Annieopsquotch ophiolite, Newfoundland: implications for lower crustal accretion at spreading ridges. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 229(1-2), pp. 105-123. (10.1016/j.epsl.2004.10.029)

Johan is an igneous petrologist and geochemist who focuses on understanding the time scales and evolution of mafic magmatic systems (particularly at mid-ocean ridges, but also on land). His group addresses this by integrated petrological and geochemical analysis of plutonic and volcanic rocks, developing new analytical techniques where required.

Recent and ongoing projects include:

Establishing a comprehensive inventory of the elemental and isotopic composition of the depleted mantle, captalising on the unique section of peridotites recovered during IODP Expedition 399
Developing isotopic tracers in cumulate rocks to trace magma evolution and reconstruct the composition of the upper mantle (postdoctoral research by Dr. George Cooper and Dr. Sarah Lambart, in collaboration with VU Amsterdam)
The effect of reactive porous flow on the evolution of magma chambers and their eruptive products. This includes studies of natural samples, modelling (postdoctoral research by Dr. Matthew Gleeson), as well as experimental studies (CSC-funded postdoctoral project of Alexandra Yang Yang, collaboration with prof. Yan Liang, Brown University)
Using the crystal cargo in mid-ocean ridge basalt to constrain the nature of magma plumbing systems and the thckness of the oceanic lithoshpere (PhD project of Emma Bennett)
Developing tracers of water contents in magmatic systems (PhD project of Liam Hoare, and work under development)
The dynamics of the axial melt lens at fast-spreading ridges (PhD project of Matthew Loocke)
The use of element mapping to determine the full distribution of compositional variability in igneous rocks (PhD project of Matthew Loocke)
The evolution of the Oman and Masirah ophiolites (PhD projects of Max Jansen and Matthew Loocke, and MSc project of Sietze de Graaff)

Johan is repsonsible for the majority of the Year 4 MSci provision (MSci Research Project, MSci Advanced Research Field Course), and leads the first-year module EA1306 Earth Materials.

Academia

M.Sc. Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2001)
Ph. D. Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada (2005)
NWO Postdoctoral Fellow, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2005 – 2006)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (2006 – 2007)

Leadership

Head of Centre of Solid Earth and Natural Resources

Affiliations

Contact Details

LissenbergCJ@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29208 74327
Main Building, Room 2.22, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT

Record-breaking recovery of rocks that originated in Earth’s mantle could reveal secrets of planet’s history