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Co-Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 
Dr. Andrew Nyblade

Dr. Nyblade's research is focused on understanding the structure and evolution of continental lithosphere and its relationship to mantle dynamics.  Topics of interest include the formation of rift valleys, the origin of hotspot tectonism, the deep structure of Archean cratons, and plateau uplift. 

Dr. Nyblade was born and raised in Tanzania, and has spent the better part of the past 20 years conducting geophysical studies in eastern and southern Africa, including seismology, heat flow, gravity, and paleomagnetics.  During the past 10 years, Dr. Nyblade, together with students and colleagues, has conducted broadband seismic projects in Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Cameroon. 

More information about Dr. Nyblade can be found at: http://geosc.psu.edu/people/faculty/personalpages/anyblade/index.html

Dr. Paul Dirks

Dr. Dirks is head of the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).  Prior to coming to Wits in 2002, he worked in Zimbabwe where he was an Associate Professor and established the Mineral Resources Centre at the University of Zimbabwe.

Dr. Dirks is a structural geologist with an interest in geodynamics and the tectonic history of cratonic terrains (Archaean granite-greenstone terrains) and adjacent mobile belts, investigating their structural-metamorphic (P-T-t) evolution and associated mineralization patterns and deformation styles. He has extensive experience as a field geologist, and has lived, mapped and worked across 5 continents.

Dr. Dirks also has experience as a professional consultant, focusing mainly on structural geological mapping, stability problems in open pits, and gold and base metal exploration in southern Africa and beyond. He has been involved extensively in project generation and the management of multi-disciplinary research and consulting projects.

More information about Dr. Dirks can be found at: http://www.wits.ac.za/geosciences/Staff_cv/Dirks.htm