![Duncan Muir BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1743?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Duncan Muir
(he/him)
BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Duncan Muir
Senior Electron Microbeam Specialist
Overview
I run the Earth Sciences Electron Microbeam Facility, assisting users with their scanning electron microscope (SEM) related imaging and chemical analysis. I also use electron microscopy for my own research investigating magma system processes of subduction zone volcanoes.
Our Electron Microbeam Facility provides a service to the Earth and Environmental Sciences School in addition to all other Cardiff University departments. We also welcome users from outside the University, both academic and commercial.
Interests
- Electron microscopy
- In-situ chemical analysis of minerals and glasses
- Nano- and micrometre scale imaging
- Igneous petrology
- Experimental petrology
- Volcanology
Publication
2025
- Gleeson, M. et al. 2025. Persistent high-pressure magma storage beneath a near-ridge ocean island volcano (Isla Floreana, Galápagos). Journal of Petrology 66(5), article number: egaf031. (10.1093/petrology/egaf031)
- Smith, W. D., Henry, H., Heinonen, J. S., Maier, W. D., Muir, D. D., Barnes, S. and Andersen, J. ?. 2025. Role of chamber replenishment in the formation of the Merensky Reef and its footwall anorthosite. Journal of Petrology 66(3), article number: egaf015. (10.1093/petrology/egaf015)
- Maier, W. D., Muir, D. D., Barnes, S. J. and Szilas, K. 2025. Petrogenesis of Ni-sulfide mineralisation in the ca. 3.0 Ga Maniitsoq intrusive belt, western Greenland. Mineralium Deposita 60(2-3), pp. 479-501. (10.1007/s00126-024-01282-3)
- Mills, K. et al. 2025. Crystallographic and geochemical responses of giant clams on turbid reefs. Scientific Reports 15(1), article number: 7365. (10.1038/s41598-025-90614-y)
2024
- Al Bahri, J. et al. 2024. Clay mineral geochemistry and paleoenvironmental reconstruction across the Cryogenian Sturtian Snowball glaciation. Precambrian Research 410, article number: 107498. (10.1016/j.precamres.2024.107498)
- Kasper-Zubillaga, J. J., Buchs, D. M., Muir, D. D., Carlos-Delgado, L., Arellano-Torres, E. and Álvarez-Sánchez, L. F. 2024. Physico-chemical alteration of pyroxene in coastal environments: Empirical constraints from New Zealand and the Azores. Sedimentary Geology 465, article number: 106632. (10.1016/j.sedgeo.2024.106632)
- De Caroli, S., Fagereng, ?., Ujiie, K., Blenkinsop, T., Meneghini, F. and Muir, D. 2024. Deformation microstructures of low- and high-strain epidote-blueschist (Ryukyu arc, Japan): Implications for subduction interface rheology. Journal of Structural Geology 180, article number: 105041. (10.1016/j.jsg.2023.105041)
- Mills, K. et al. 2024. Microstructure and crystallographic texture data in modern giant clam shells (Tridacna squamosa and Hippopus hippopus). Data in Brief 52, article number: 109947. (10.1016/j.dib.2023.109947)
2023
- Hastie, A. R., Law, S., Bromiley, G. D., Fitton, J. G., Harley, S. L. and Muir, D. D. 2023. Deep formation of Earth's earliest continental crust consistent with subduction. Nature Geoscience 16, pp. 816-821. (10.1038/s41561-023-01249-5)
- Mills, K., John, E. H., Muir, D. D., Santodomingo, N., Johnson, K. G., Hussein, M. A. S. and Sosdian, S. 2023. Growth responses of mixotrophic giant clams on nearshore turbid coral reefs. Coral Reefs 42, pp. 593-608. (10.1007/s00338-023-02366-8)
- Smith, W. D., Maier, W. D., Muir, D. D., Andersen, J. C. ?., Williams, B. J. and Henry, H. 2023. New perspectives on the formation of the Boulder Bed of the western Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Mineralium Deposita 58(3), pp. 617-638. (10.1007/s00126-022-01150-y)
2022
- Smith, W. D., Maier, W. D., Andersen, J. C., Muir, D. D., Mansur, E. and Bliss, I. 2022. Accessory phase perspectives for ore-forming processes and magmatic sulphide exploration in the Labrador Trough, northern Québec, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 59(5), pp. 259-277. (10.1139/cjes-2021-0109)
2021
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. -., Muir, D., Savard, D., Lahaye, Y. and Smith, W. D. 2021. Formation of Bushveld anorthosite by reactive porous flow. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 176(1), article number: 3. (10.1007/s00410-020-01760-7)
2020
- Hammond, G. M., Young, R. D., Muir, D. D. and Quantock, A. J. 2020. The microanatomy of Bowman’s layer in the cornea of the pig: changes in collagen fibril architecture at the corneoscleral limbus. European Journal of Anatomy 24(5), pp. 399-406.
- Wymant, J. M., Sayers, E. J., Muir, D. and Jones, A. T. 2020. Strategic trastuzumab mediated crosslinking driving concomitant HER2 and HER3 endocytosis and degradation in breast cancer. Journal of Cancer 11(11), pp. 3288-3302. (10.7150/jca.32470)
2019
- Pullin, H., Bray, A. W., Burke, I. T., Muir, D. D., Sapsford, D. J., Mayes, W. M. and Renforth, P. 2019. Atmospheric carbon capture performance of legacy iron and steel waste. Environmental Science and Technology 53(16), pp. 9502-9511. (10.1021/acs.est.9b01265)
- Tanner, D., McDonald, I., Harmer, R. J., Muir, D. D. and Hughes, H. S. 2019. A record of assimilation preserved by exotic minerals in the lowermost platinum-group element deposit of the Bushveld Complex: The Volspruit Sulphide Zone. Lithos 324-32, pp. 584-608. (10.1016/j.lithos.2018.10.032)
2018
- Ledwoch, K. et al. 2018. Beware Biofilm! Dry biofilms containing bacterial pathogens on multiple healthcare surfaces; a multicentre study. Journal of Hospital Infection 100(3), pp. e47-e56. (10.1016/j.jhin.2018.06.028)
- Pritchard, M. et al. 2018. Synthesis: PLUTONS: Investigating the relationship between pluton growth and volcanism in the Central Andes. Geosphere 14(3), pp. 954-982. (10.1130/GES01578.1)
2017
- McDonald, I., Hughes, H. R., Butler, I. B., Harris, J. W. and Muir, D. 2017. Homogenisation of sulphide inclusions within diamonds: A new approach to diamond inclusion geochemistry. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 216, pp. 335-357. (10.1016/j.gca.2017.04.039)
- Laumonier, M., Gaillard, F., Muir, D., Blundy, J. and Unsworth, M. 2017. Giant magmatic water reservoirs at mid-crustal depth inferred from electrical conductivity and the growth of the continental crust. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 457, pp. 173-180. (10.1016/j.epsl.2016.10.023)
2016
- Cassidy, M. et al. 2016. Volatile dilution during magma injections and implications for volcano explosivity. Geology 44(12), pp. 1027-1030. (10.1130/G38411.1)
2015
- Muir, D., Barfod, D. N., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C., Sparks, R. S. J. and Clarke, K. M. 2015. The temporal record of magmatism at Cerro Uturuncu, Bolivian Altiplano. Geological Society Special Publication 422(1), pp. 57-83. (10.1144/SP422.1)
2014
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C. and Hickey, J. 2014. Experimental constraints on dacite pre-eruptive magma storage conditions beneath uturuncu volcano. Journal of Petrology 55(4), pp. 749-767. (10.1093/petrology/egu005)
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. D., Hutchinson, M. C. and Rust, A. C. 2014. Petrological imaging of an active pluton beneath Cerro Uturuncu, Bolivia. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 167(3), article number: 980. (10.1007/s00410-014-0980-z)
2012
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. and Rust, A. 2012. Multiphase petrography of volcanic rocks using element maps: a method applied to Mount St. Helens, 1980-2005. Bulletin of Volcanology 74(5), pp. 1101-1120. (10.1007/s00445-012-0586-0)
2011
- Melnik, O. E., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C. and Muir, D. 2011. Subvolcanic plumbing systems imaged through crystal size distributions. Geology 39(4), pp. 403-406. (10.1130/G31691.1)
Articles
- Gleeson, M. et al. 2025. Persistent high-pressure magma storage beneath a near-ridge ocean island volcano (Isla Floreana, Galápagos). Journal of Petrology 66(5), article number: egaf031. (10.1093/petrology/egaf031)
- Smith, W. D., Henry, H., Heinonen, J. S., Maier, W. D., Muir, D. D., Barnes, S. and Andersen, J. ?. 2025. Role of chamber replenishment in the formation of the Merensky Reef and its footwall anorthosite. Journal of Petrology 66(3), article number: egaf015. (10.1093/petrology/egaf015)
- Maier, W. D., Muir, D. D., Barnes, S. J. and Szilas, K. 2025. Petrogenesis of Ni-sulfide mineralisation in the ca. 3.0 Ga Maniitsoq intrusive belt, western Greenland. Mineralium Deposita 60(2-3), pp. 479-501. (10.1007/s00126-024-01282-3)
- Mills, K. et al. 2025. Crystallographic and geochemical responses of giant clams on turbid reefs. Scientific Reports 15(1), article number: 7365. (10.1038/s41598-025-90614-y)
- Al Bahri, J. et al. 2024. Clay mineral geochemistry and paleoenvironmental reconstruction across the Cryogenian Sturtian Snowball glaciation. Precambrian Research 410, article number: 107498. (10.1016/j.precamres.2024.107498)
- Kasper-Zubillaga, J. J., Buchs, D. M., Muir, D. D., Carlos-Delgado, L., Arellano-Torres, E. and Álvarez-Sánchez, L. F. 2024. Physico-chemical alteration of pyroxene in coastal environments: Empirical constraints from New Zealand and the Azores. Sedimentary Geology 465, article number: 106632. (10.1016/j.sedgeo.2024.106632)
- De Caroli, S., Fagereng, ?., Ujiie, K., Blenkinsop, T., Meneghini, F. and Muir, D. 2024. Deformation microstructures of low- and high-strain epidote-blueschist (Ryukyu arc, Japan): Implications for subduction interface rheology. Journal of Structural Geology 180, article number: 105041. (10.1016/j.jsg.2023.105041)
- Mills, K. et al. 2024. Microstructure and crystallographic texture data in modern giant clam shells (Tridacna squamosa and Hippopus hippopus). Data in Brief 52, article number: 109947. (10.1016/j.dib.2023.109947)
- Hastie, A. R., Law, S., Bromiley, G. D., Fitton, J. G., Harley, S. L. and Muir, D. D. 2023. Deep formation of Earth's earliest continental crust consistent with subduction. Nature Geoscience 16, pp. 816-821. (10.1038/s41561-023-01249-5)
- Mills, K., John, E. H., Muir, D. D., Santodomingo, N., Johnson, K. G., Hussein, M. A. S. and Sosdian, S. 2023. Growth responses of mixotrophic giant clams on nearshore turbid coral reefs. Coral Reefs 42, pp. 593-608. (10.1007/s00338-023-02366-8)
- Smith, W. D., Maier, W. D., Muir, D. D., Andersen, J. C. ?., Williams, B. J. and Henry, H. 2023. New perspectives on the formation of the Boulder Bed of the western Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Mineralium Deposita 58(3), pp. 617-638. (10.1007/s00126-022-01150-y)
- Smith, W. D., Maier, W. D., Andersen, J. C., Muir, D. D., Mansur, E. and Bliss, I. 2022. Accessory phase perspectives for ore-forming processes and magmatic sulphide exploration in the Labrador Trough, northern Québec, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 59(5), pp. 259-277. (10.1139/cjes-2021-0109)
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. -., Muir, D., Savard, D., Lahaye, Y. and Smith, W. D. 2021. Formation of Bushveld anorthosite by reactive porous flow. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 176(1), article number: 3. (10.1007/s00410-020-01760-7)
- Hammond, G. M., Young, R. D., Muir, D. D. and Quantock, A. J. 2020. The microanatomy of Bowman’s layer in the cornea of the pig: changes in collagen fibril architecture at the corneoscleral limbus. European Journal of Anatomy 24(5), pp. 399-406.
- Wymant, J. M., Sayers, E. J., Muir, D. and Jones, A. T. 2020. Strategic trastuzumab mediated crosslinking driving concomitant HER2 and HER3 endocytosis and degradation in breast cancer. Journal of Cancer 11(11), pp. 3288-3302. (10.7150/jca.32470)
- Pullin, H., Bray, A. W., Burke, I. T., Muir, D. D., Sapsford, D. J., Mayes, W. M. and Renforth, P. 2019. Atmospheric carbon capture performance of legacy iron and steel waste. Environmental Science and Technology 53(16), pp. 9502-9511. (10.1021/acs.est.9b01265)
- Tanner, D., McDonald, I., Harmer, R. J., Muir, D. D. and Hughes, H. S. 2019. A record of assimilation preserved by exotic minerals in the lowermost platinum-group element deposit of the Bushveld Complex: The Volspruit Sulphide Zone. Lithos 324-32, pp. 584-608. (10.1016/j.lithos.2018.10.032)
- Ledwoch, K. et al. 2018. Beware Biofilm! Dry biofilms containing bacterial pathogens on multiple healthcare surfaces; a multicentre study. Journal of Hospital Infection 100(3), pp. e47-e56. (10.1016/j.jhin.2018.06.028)
- Pritchard, M. et al. 2018. Synthesis: PLUTONS: Investigating the relationship between pluton growth and volcanism in the Central Andes. Geosphere 14(3), pp. 954-982. (10.1130/GES01578.1)
- McDonald, I., Hughes, H. R., Butler, I. B., Harris, J. W. and Muir, D. 2017. Homogenisation of sulphide inclusions within diamonds: A new approach to diamond inclusion geochemistry. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 216, pp. 335-357. (10.1016/j.gca.2017.04.039)
- Laumonier, M., Gaillard, F., Muir, D., Blundy, J. and Unsworth, M. 2017. Giant magmatic water reservoirs at mid-crustal depth inferred from electrical conductivity and the growth of the continental crust. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 457, pp. 173-180. (10.1016/j.epsl.2016.10.023)
- Cassidy, M. et al. 2016. Volatile dilution during magma injections and implications for volcano explosivity. Geology 44(12), pp. 1027-1030. (10.1130/G38411.1)
- Muir, D., Barfod, D. N., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C., Sparks, R. S. J. and Clarke, K. M. 2015. The temporal record of magmatism at Cerro Uturuncu, Bolivian Altiplano. Geological Society Special Publication 422(1), pp. 57-83. (10.1144/SP422.1)
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C. and Hickey, J. 2014. Experimental constraints on dacite pre-eruptive magma storage conditions beneath uturuncu volcano. Journal of Petrology 55(4), pp. 749-767. (10.1093/petrology/egu005)
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. D., Hutchinson, M. C. and Rust, A. C. 2014. Petrological imaging of an active pluton beneath Cerro Uturuncu, Bolivia. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 167(3), article number: 980. (10.1007/s00410-014-0980-z)
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. and Rust, A. 2012. Multiphase petrography of volcanic rocks using element maps: a method applied to Mount St. Helens, 1980-2005. Bulletin of Volcanology 74(5), pp. 1101-1120. (10.1007/s00445-012-0586-0)
- Melnik, O. E., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C. and Muir, D. 2011. Subvolcanic plumbing systems imaged through crystal size distributions. Geology 39(4), pp. 403-406. (10.1130/G31691.1)
- Hammond, G. M., Young, R. D., Muir, D. D. and Quantock, A. J. 2020. The microanatomy of Bowman’s layer in the cornea of the pig: changes in collagen fibril architecture at the corneoscleral limbus. European Journal of Anatomy 24(5), pp. 399-406.
- Wymant, J. M., Sayers, E. J., Muir, D. and Jones, A. T. 2020. Strategic trastuzumab mediated crosslinking driving concomitant HER2 and HER3 endocytosis and degradation in breast cancer. Journal of Cancer 11(11), pp. 3288-3302. (10.7150/jca.32470)
- Pullin, H., Bray, A. W., Burke, I. T., Muir, D. D., Sapsford, D. J., Mayes, W. M. and Renforth, P. 2019. Atmospheric carbon capture performance of legacy iron and steel waste. Environmental Science and Technology 53(16), pp. 9502-9511. (10.1021/acs.est.9b01265)
- Tanner, D., McDonald, I., Harmer, R. J., Muir, D. D. and Hughes, H. S. 2019. A record of assimilation preserved by exotic minerals in the lowermost platinum-group element deposit of the Bushveld Complex: The Volspruit Sulphide Zone. Lithos 324-32, pp. 584-608. (10.1016/j.lithos.2018.10.032)
- Ledwoch, K. et al. 2018. Beware Biofilm! Dry biofilms containing bacterial pathogens on multiple healthcare surfaces; a multicentre study. Journal of Hospital Infection 100(3), pp. e47-e56. (10.1016/j.jhin.2018.06.028)
- Pritchard, M. et al. 2018. Synthesis: PLUTONS: Investigating the relationship between pluton growth and volcanism in the Central Andes. Geosphere 14(3), pp. 954-982. (10.1130/GES01578.1)
- McDonald, I., Hughes, H. R., Butler, I. B., Harris, J. W. and Muir, D. 2017. Homogenisation of sulphide inclusions within diamonds: A new approach to diamond inclusion geochemistry. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 216, pp. 335-357. (10.1016/j.gca.2017.04.039)
- Laumonier, M., Gaillard, F., Muir, D., Blundy, J. and Unsworth, M. 2017. Giant magmatic water reservoirs at mid-crustal depth inferred from electrical conductivity and the growth of the continental crust. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 457, pp. 173-180. (10.1016/j.epsl.2016.10.023)
- Cassidy, M. et al. 2016. Volatile dilution during magma injections and implications for volcano explosivity. Geology 44(12), pp. 1027-1030. (10.1130/G38411.1)
- Muir, D., Barfod, D. N., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C., Sparks, R. S. J. and Clarke, K. M. 2015. The temporal record of magmatism at Cerro Uturuncu, Bolivian Altiplano. Geological Society Special Publication 422(1), pp. 57-83. (10.1144/SP422.1)
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C. and Hickey, J. 2014. Experimental constraints on dacite pre-eruptive magma storage conditions beneath uturuncu volcano. Journal of Petrology 55(4), pp. 749-767. (10.1093/petrology/egu005)
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. D., Hutchinson, M. C. and Rust, A. C. 2014. Petrological imaging of an active pluton beneath Cerro Uturuncu, Bolivia. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 167(3), article number: 980. (10.1007/s00410-014-0980-z)
- Muir, D., Blundy, J. and Rust, A. 2012. Multiphase petrography of volcanic rocks using element maps: a method applied to Mount St. Helens, 1980-2005. Bulletin of Volcanology 74(5), pp. 1101-1120. (10.1007/s00445-012-0586-0)
- Melnik, O. E., Blundy, J. D., Rust, A. C. and Muir, D. 2011. Subvolcanic plumbing systems imaged through crystal size distributions. Geology 39(4), pp. 403-406. (10.1130/G31691.1)
Research
Using electron microscopy, I investigate magma system processes beneath arc volcanoes. Through imaging and chemical analysis of volcanic and plutonic rocks and their constituent minerals and glasses, I aim to understand how magmas evolve in the crust, the pressures and temperatures at which they are stored, and implications for eruptive processes. I have worked on a wide range of volcanic systems from the Cascades, the Andes and the Sumatran arc.
Where possible, I employ experimental petrology to replicate magma storage conditions in the crust and to relate these experimental findings to natural rocks. I am also interested in using electron backscatter diffraction to investigate deformation processes in igneous rocks to try to better understand crystallisation histories.
By assisting less experienced electron microscopy users with their research, I have been involved with a range of projects. In Earth Sciences, these include investigations of metalliferous miinerals in ore deposits, potential for carbon capture and storage in coal tips, and the formation of the continental crust in Early Earth. I have co-supervised a PhD project focusing on crystal growth in giant clams in response to changing climate using EBSD.
Teaching
I teach undergraduate fieldwork skills in various locations including Pembrokeshire, Cornwall and Cyprus.
Biography
Education and qualifications
- 2013: PhD (Earth Sciences) University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- 2008: MSc (Earth Sciences) University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- 2004: BSc (Earh Sciences) University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Career overview
- 2015 - present: Senior electron microbeam specialist, Cardiff University, UK
- 2006 - 2009: Engineering Geology and Geotechnical staff, Fugro Geoconsulting Ltd., Oxford, UK
- 2005 - 2006: Exploration Geologist, Almaden Minerals Ltd., Vancouver, Canada
Professional memberships
- Member of the Royal Microscopy Society
Academic positions
- 2013 - 2015: Postdoctoral researcher, Uppsala University, Sweden
Committees and reviewing
- Member of the Physical Sciences and Engineering Committee, Royal Microscopy Society
Impact
- Careers and role model panel, Grangetown Community Gateway, Cardiff (June 2020)
Contact Details
MuirD1@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29208 75059
Main Building, Floor 2, Room 2.26A, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
+44 29208 75059
Main Building, Floor 2, Room 2.26A, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT