Overview
Profile summary
My research uses multi-disciplinary analyses of the geological record to understand the tectonic evolution of Earth. In particular, I am interested in the deformation processes that control and facilitate plate tectonics from subgrain-scale to plate-scale in both marine and terrestrial settings.
Currently, my research focuses on the deformation and magmatic processes that control oceanic crust formation at mid-ocean ridges. This includes field-based and paleomagnetic analyses of the Oman ophiolite, and microstructural analyses of rock core drilled from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Atlantis Massif). I have expertise in fieldwork, petrography, and structural geology, including electron microscopy, EBSD, and paleomagnetic analyses, which I combine and integrate to understand deformation processes and plate tectonics across scales.
Previously, my research has focused on deformation processes and tectonics in continental settings, including continental collision belts (Himalaya; Norway), accretionary margins an subduction zones (Himalaya; NW Canada; SE Asia), and passive margins (East Greenland); some of these projects are still active. Additionally, I am involved in a number of collaborative projects investigating grain-scale deformation processes through experimental approaches.
At Plymouth, I have access to cutting edge research facilities at the Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre and the Paleomagnetism Laboratory. I am also involved in on-going marine scientific drilling research, through the International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP), including members of the IODP Science Office located here at SoGEES.
PROSPECTIVE RESEARCH STUDENTS
I have a range of exciting research projects suitable for prospective PhD, ResM and MSc students, which include opportunities for fieldwork and laboratory analyses. These can be tailored to suit individual needs and interests. Interested candidates should contact me by email to discuss these opportunities further.
IN THE NEWS: Rocks that originated in Earth’s mantle could reveal secrets of planet’s history
OMAN3D PROJECT: The 3D anatomy of magma transport at fast-spreading ocean ridges
NEW PAPERS:
A long section of serpentinized depleted mantle peridotite (Science)
Experimental Observation of a New Attenuation Mechanism in hcp Metals That May Operate in the Earth's Inner Core (GGG)
External Websites:
ResearchGate
Google Scholar
Teaching interests
- Structural Geology
- Geophysics
- Field geology & mapping
Supervised research degrees
PROSPECTIVE RESEARCH STUDENTS:
I have a range of exciting research projects suitable for prospective PhD, ResM and MSc students, which include opportunities for fieldwork and laboratory analyses. These can be tailored to suit individual needs and interests. Interested candidates should contact me by email to discuss these opportunities further.
Roles on external bodies
- Associate Editor for 'Tektonika' (2022-2023)
- Editorial board member for ‘Geology’ (GSA – 2020 to 2023)
- Editorial board member for ‘Frontiers in Earth Sciences’ (2021 to 2022)
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A long section of serpentinized depleted mantle peridotite
Lissenberg, J., McCaig, A. M., Lang, S. Q., Blum, P., Abe, N., Brazelton, W. J., Coltan, R., Deans, J. R., Dickerson, K. L., Godard, M., John, B. E., Klein, F., Kuehn, R., Lin, K.-Y., Liu, H., Lopes, E., Nozaka, T., Parsons, A., Pathak, V. & Reagan, M. & 9 others, , 8 Aug 2024, In: Science. 385, 6709, p. 623-629 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile61 Downloads (Pure) -
The Geodynamic Significance of Continental UHP Exhumation: New Constraints From the Tso Morari Complex, NW Himalaya
Bidgood, A. K., Parsons, A. J., Roberts, N. M. W., Waters, D., Tapster, S. & Gopon, P., 26 Apr 2024, In: Tectonics. 43, 5, e2023TC007976.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile29 Downloads (Pure) -
Experimental Observation of a New Attenuation Mechanism in hcp-Metals That May Operate in the Earth's Inner Core
Hunt, S. A., Walker, A. M., Lord, O. T., Stackhouse, S., Schardong, L., Armstrong, L. S., Parsons, A. J., Lloyd, G. E., Wheeler, J., Fenech, D. M., Michalik, S. & Whitaker, M. L., 21 Jun 2024, In: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 25, 6, e2023GC011386.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile14 Downloads (Pure) -
Australian Plate Subduction is Responsible for Northward Motion of the India‐Asia Collision Zone and ∼1,000 km Lateral Migration of the Indian Slab
Parsons, A. J., Sigloch, K. & Hosseini, K., 20 Sept 2021, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 48, 18Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile19 Downloads (Pure) -
Geological, geophysical and plate kinematic constraints for models of the India-Asia collision and the post-Triassic central Tethys oceans
Parsons, A. J., Hosseini, K., Palin, R. M. & Sigloch, K., Sept 2020, In: Earth-Science Reviews. 208, p. 103084-103084Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Dataset for Parsons et al 2022: U-Pb zircon geochronology from the Northern Cordillera, central Yukon, with implications for its tectonic assembly. Tectonics
Parsons, A. (Creator), McClelland, W. (Contributor), Zagorevski, A. (Contributor), Ryan, J. (Contributor), Coleman, M. (Contributor), Cleven, N. (Contributor) & van Staal, C. (Contributor), University of Plymouth, 12 Dec 2021
DOI: 10.24382/n33e-6495, https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/fose-datasets/22/
Dataset
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Bidgood et al. 2024 - Tso Morari - Supporting Information 2. EPMA methods and data.
BIDGOOD, A. (Creator), Gopon, P. (Contributor), Waters, D. (Contributor), Roberts, N. (Contributor) & Parsons, A. (Contributor), Mendeley Data, 5 Feb 2024
DOI: 10.17632/vcfbxm6h9f.1, https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/vcfbxm6h9f
Dataset
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Bidgood et al. 2024 - Tso Morari - Supporting Information 3: Geochronology data
BIDGOOD, A. (Creator), Roberts, N. (Contributor), Tapster, S. (Contributor), Waters, D. (Contributor), Parsons, A. (Contributor) & Gopon, P. (Contributor), Mendeley Data, 5 Feb 2024
DOI: 10.17632/t5fd58m67p.1, https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/t5fd58m67p
Dataset