Dr. Richard M. Palin

Associate Professor of Petrology

Department of Earth Sciences
University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN
United Kingdom
 Telephone: +44 (0) 1865 610512
Email: richard.palin[at]earth.ox.ac.uk

“Rocks are records of events that took place at the time they formed. They are books. They have a different vocabulary, a different alphabet, but you learn how to read them.” – John McPhee


Research

Publications

Research group and visitors

Teaching

Links

Short biography

I completed my DPhil (PhD) at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, UK, in 2013, where I studied the thermal and structural evolution of parts of the Himalayan Range and Tibetan Plateau. Please see my Research and Publications sections for further information. I then worked as a lecturer and postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute of Geosciences, JGU Mainz, and subsequently joined the Colorado School of Mines, USA, as an Assistant Professor of Metamorphic Geology. I have now returned at last to Oxford as the Associate Professor of Petrology. Please see my Teaching section for more information and my Links for additional material of interest.

I frequently review for many journals, including Nature, Scientific Reports, Nature Communications, Nature Geoscience, Geology, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, and Journal of Petrology (and many others). I am an Associate Editor for the journal Geoscience Frontiers and Earth Science, Systems, and Society (ES-cubed), and on the editorial board for Precambrian Research and the Journal of Metamorphic Geology. I am also on the committee of the Metamorphic Studies Group of the Geological Society of London.

I have on-going collaborations with many researchers worldwide, including those at the Colorado School of Mines, USA; the University of Cambridge, UK; the University of St Andrews, UK; the Earth Observatory, Singapore; Simon Fraser University, Canada; China University of Geosciences, Beijing (CUGB), and others.

Research interests

I am principally a metamorphic petrologist, but frequently integrate geochemistry, isotope geochronology, and structural geology into my work. My major research interests include (but are not limited to):

Process- or technique-oriented studies:
  • The mechanisms and physico-chemical effects of fluid–rock and melt–rock interactions in different metamorphic environments and geodynamic settings (cf. Palin et al., 2014b; Palin et al., 2016b; Palin et al., 2017; Wade et al., 2017 – Nature; Hernandez-Uribe and Palin, 2019a; Hernandez-Uribe and Palin, 2019b – Scientific Reports; Hernandez-Uribe et al., 2019 – Geology).
  • Developing and testing new activity–composition (a–x) relations and computational techniques for use in petrological phase equilibrium modeling (cf. Green et al., 2016; Palin et al., 2016a; Hernandez-Uribe and Palin, 2019)
  • Early-Earth evolution, and secular changes in metamorphism and tectonic styles since the Archean (cf. Palin & White, 2016 – Nature Geoscience; Palin et al., 2016c; White et al., 2017; Wade et al., 2017 – Nature; Piccolo et al., 2019; Palin et al., 2020 – Earth-Science Reviews; Palin and Santosh, 2021 – Gondwana Research; Hernandez-Montenegro et al. 2021 – Scientific Reports).
  • The geology and geological evolution of terrestrial (rocky) bodies in our solar system, including 4 Vesta, Mars, and the Moon (cf. Wade et al., 2017 – Nature; Cone et al., 2020).
Studies of regional interest:
I have performed a number of field- and laboratory-based investigations on rocks from the Himalayan–Karakoram–Tibetan orogen that have produced quantitative models that have constrained the timing and nature of growth and deformation of parts of the Indian and Asian tectonic plates. I have an active interest in the geology of the United Kingdom, and have performed fieldwork investigating deep-crustal granulites from Glen Muick (northeast Scotland) and Assynt (northwest Scotland), and ophiolites and their associated metamorphic sole from the Lizard Complex, Cornwall, southwest England.

Publications

I have published numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles in ISI-indexed journals, which have been cited approximately 3100 times. My h-index is 30. For full and up-to-date citation data, please refer to my Google Scholar profile. PDFs of my first-author 'Author Accepted Manuscripts' are available for download on my ResearchGate profile page, all of which comply with publisher sharing policies. IF = impact factor at time of publication.

2022

[72] Chin, E.J., Palin, R.M., 2022. Water storage in cratonic mantle. Terra Nova, in press, doi: 10.1111/ter.12599. IF = 3.037.

[71] Li, S.S., Palin, R.M., Santosh, M., 2022. Contrasting mechanisms and timescales of subduction and exhumation as recorded by Paleoproterozoic and late Paleozoic high-pressure granulites in the North China Craton. GSA Bulletin, in press, doi: 10.1130/B36380.1, IF = 4.799.

[70] Zhang, Z., Ding, H., Palin, R.M., Dong, X., Tian, Z., Kong, D., Jiang, Y., Qin, S., Li, W., 2022. On the origin of high-pressure mafic granulite in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis: implications for the tectonic evolution of the Himalayan orogen. Gondwana Research, v. 104, p. 4–22, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2021.05.011. IF = 6.051.

[69] Maibam, B., Palin, R.M., Gerdes, A., White, R.W., Foley, S., 2022. Dating blueschist-facies metamorphism within the Naga ophiolite, Northeast India, using sheared carbonate veins. International Geology Review, p. 1–18, doi: 10.1080/00206814.2022.2048271, IF = 3.958.

[68] Ding, H., Zhang, Z., Palin, R.M., Kohn, M.J., Niu, Z., Chen, Y., Qin, S., Jiang, Y., Li, W., 2022. Late Cretaceous metamorphism and
anatexis of the Gangdese magmatic arc, South Tibet: implications for thickening and differentiation of juvenile crust. Journal of Petrology, v. 63, p. egac017, doi: 10.1093/petrology/egac017, IF = 4.515.

[67] Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Chen, X., Palin, R.M., Tian, Z., Shao, Z., Qin, S., Yuan, Y., 2022. Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic magmatism in the eastern Lhasa terrane: Implications for Andean-type orogeny along the northern margin of Rodinia and Gondwana. Precambrian Research, v. 369, p. 106520, doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2021.106520, IF = 4.725.

[66] Palin, R.M., 2022. Metamorphism and its bearing on geosystems. Geosystems and Geoenvironment, v. 1, p. 100012, doi: 10.1016/j.geogeo.2021.100012. [OPEN ACCESS] [INVITED REVIEW]

[65] Sun, Y., Niu, M., Yan, Z., Palin, R.M., Li, C., Li, X., Yuan, X., 2022. Late early Paleozoic continental collision on the northern margin of the Central Qilian Block, NE Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from a two-stage tectono-metamorphic event. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, p. 105121, doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2022.105121, IF = 3.449.

[64] Qin, S.K., Zhang, Z.M., Palin, R.M., Ding, H.X., Dong, X., Tian, Z.L., 2022. Tectonic burial of sedimentary rocks drives the building of juvenile crust of magmatic arc. GSA Bulletin, in press, doi: 10.1130/B36271.1, IF = 4.799.

[63] Wang, D., Liu, F.L., Palin, R.M., Wang, J.M., Wolf, M., Ji, L., Wang, F., 2022. A newly discovered Late Cretaceous metamorphic belt along the active continental margin of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. GSA Bulletin, v. 134, p. 223–240, doi: 10.1130/B35900.1, IF = 4.799.

[62] Jiang, Y.Y., Zhang, Z.M., Palin, R.M., Ding, H.X., Mo, X.X., 2022. Early Cenozoic partial melting of meta-sedimentary rocks of the eastern Gangdese arc, southern Tibet, and its contribution to syn-collisional magmatism. GSA Bulletin, v. 134, p. 179–200, doi: 10.1130/B35763.1, IF = 4.799.

2021

[61] Sepidbar, F., Ghorbani, G., Zoheir, B., Palin, R.M., Homam, S.M., Zafar, T., Ma, J., He, L., 2021. Coeval calc-alkaline and alkaline Cadomian magmatism in the Bafq, central Iran: Insights into their petrogenesis. Lithos, v. 406, p.106535, doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106535, IF = 4.004.

[60] Sepidbar, F., Ghorbani, G., Simon, A.C., Ma, J., Palin, R.M., Homam, S.M., 2021. Formation of the Chah-Gaz iron oxide-apatite ore (IOA) deposit, Bafq District, Iran: Constraints from halogens, trace element concentrations, and Sr-Nd isotopes of fluorapatite. Ore Geology Reviews, v. 140, p. 104599, doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104599, IF = 3.809.

[59] Palin, R.M., Roberts, N.M.W., 2021. Special Issue on Metamorphism at Convergent Plate Margins: Preface. Geoscience Frontiers, v. 13, p. 101288, doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2021.101288, IF = 6.853. [OPEN ACCESS]

[58] Sepidbar, F., Karsli, O., Palin, R.M., Casetta, F., 2021. Cenozoic temporal variation of crustal thickness in the Urumieh-Dokhtar and Alborz magmatic belts, Iran. Lithos, v. 400, p. 106401, doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106401, IF = 4.004.

[57] Huang, G., Guo, J., Palin, R.M., 2021. Phase equilibria modeling of anatexis during ultra-high temperature metamorphism of the crust. Lithos, v. 398–399, p. 106326, doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106326, IF = 4.004.

[56] Vesali, Y., Sepidbar, F., Palin, R.M., Chiaradia, M., 2021. Crustal architecture studies in the Iranian Cadomian arc: Insights into source, timing and metallogeny. Ore Geology Reviews, v. 136, p. 104280, doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104280, IF = 3.809.

[55] Sepidbar, F., Khedr, M.Z., Ghorbani, M.R., Palin, R.M., Xiao, Y., 2021. Petrogenesis of arc-related peridotite hosted chromitite deposits in Sikhoran-Soghan mantle section, South Iran: Evidence for proto-forearc spreading to boninitic stages. Ore Geology Reviews, v. 136, p. 104256, doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104256, IF = 3.809

[54] Dyck, B., Wade, J., Palin, R.M., 2021. The effect of core formation on surface composition and planetary habitability. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, v. 913, p. L10, doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/abf7ca, IF = 7.413.

[53] Palin, R.M., Moore, J.D.P., Zhang, Z., Huang, G., Wade, J., Dyck, B., 2021. Mafic Archean continental crust prohibited exhumation of orogenic UHP eclogite. Geoscience Frontiers, v. 12, p. 101255, doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2021.101225, IF = 4.202.

[52] Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Palin, R.M., Tian, Z., Xiang, H., Dong, X., Ding, H., Qin, S., Li, Y., 2021. Late Triassic orogenic assembly of the Tibetan Plateau: constraints from magmatism and metamorphism in the east Lhasa terrane. Journal of Petrology, v. 6, p. egab032, doi: 10.1093/petrology/egab032, IF = 3.451.

 [51] Hernandez-Montenegro, J.D., Palin, R.M., Zuluaga, C.A., Hernandez-Uribe, D., 2021. Archean continental crust formed by magma hybridization and voluminous partial melting. Scientific Reports, v. 11, p. 5263, doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-84300-y, IF = 3.998 [OPEN ACCESS] [PDF download]

[50] Yu, B., Santosh, M., Amaldev, T., Palin, R.M., 2021. Mesoarchean (ultra)-high temperature and high-pressure metamorphism along a microblock suture: Evidence from Earth's oldest khondalites in southern India. Gondwana Research, v. 91, p. 129–151, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2020.12.015, IF = 6.174.

[49] Palin, R.M., Santosh, M., 2021. Plate tectonics: What, where, why, and when? Gondwana Research Centennial Volume, in press, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2020.11.001, IF = 6.174 [INVITED REVIEW] [PDF download]
[48] Palin, R.M., Dyck, B., 2021. Metamorphism of Pelitic (Al-Rich) Rocks. In: Alderton, David; Elias, Scott A. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Geology, 2nd edition, v. 2, p. 445–456. United Kingdom: Academic Press, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102908-4.00081-3.

2020

[47] Huang, G., Palin, R.M., Wang, D., Guo, J., 2020. Open-system fractional melting of Archean basalts: implications for tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) magma genesis. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 175, p. 1–25, doi: 10.1007/s00410-020-01742-9, IF = 3.140.

[46] Piccolo, A., Kaus, B.J., White, R.W., Palin, R.M., Reuber, G., 2020. Plume–lid interactions during the Archean and implications for the generation of early continental terranes. Gondwana Research, v. 88, p. 150–168, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2020.06.024, IF = 6.174.

[45] Hernandez-Uribe, D., Palin, R.M., Cone, K.A., Cao, W., 2020. Petrological implications of seafloor hydrothermal alteration of subducted mid-ocean ridge basalt. Journal of Petrology, v. 61, p. egaa086, doi: 10.1093/petrology/egaa086, IF = 3.451.

[44] Huang, G., Guo, J., Cui, W., Palin, R.M., 2020. Deciphering garnet genesis in meta-igneous rocks: an example from the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, North China Craton. Precambrian Research, v. 348, p. 105871, doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2020.105871, IF = 4.427.

[43] Lamont, T.N., Searle, M.P., Gopon, P., Roberts, N.M.W., Wade, J., Palin, R.M., Waters, D.J., 2020. The Cycladic Blueschist Unit on Tinos, Greece. Cold NE subduction and SW-directed extrusion of the Cycladic continental margin under the Tsiknias Ophiolite. Tectonics, v. 39, e2019TC005890, doi: 10.1029/2019TC005890, IF = 3.98 [OPEN ACCESS]

[42] Palin, R.M., Santosh, M., Cao, W., Li, S., Hernandez-Uribe, D., Parsons, A.J., 2020. Secular change and the onset of plate tectonics on Earth. Earth-Science Reviews, v. 207, p. 103172, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103172, IF = 9.53, [OPEN ACCESS] [INVITED REVIEW] [PDF download]

[41] Kang, D.Y., Zhang. Z.M., Palin, R.M., Tian, Z.L., Dong, X., 2020. Prolonged partial melting of garnet amphibolite from the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis: implications for the tectonic evolution of large hot orogens. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, v. 125, p. e2019JB019119, doi: 10.1029/2019JB019119

[40] Cone, K.A., Palin, R.M., Singha, K., 2020. Unsupervised machine learning with petrological database ApolloBasaltDB reveals complexity in lunar basalt major element oxide and mineral distribution patterns. Icarus, v. 346, p. 113787, doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113787, IF = 3.535.

[39] Parsons, A.J., Hosseini, K., Palin, R.M., Sigloch, K., 2020. Geological, geophysical and plate kinematic constraints for models of the India-Asia collision and the post-Triassic central Tethys oceans. Earth-Science Reviews, v. 208, p. 103084, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103084, IF = 9.53, [OPEN ACCESS]

[38] Zhang, Z., Ding, H., Palin, R.M., Dong, X., Tian, Z., Chen, Y., 2020. The lower crust of the Gangdese magmatic arc, southern Tibet, implications for the growth of continental crust. Gondwana Research, v. 77, p. 136–146, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2019.07.010, IF = 6.478.

[37] Li, S.S., Palin, R.M., Santosh, M., Shaji, E., Tsunogae, T., 2020. Extreme thermal metamorphism associated with Gondwana assembly: Evidence from sapphirine-bearing granulites of Rajapalayam, southern India. GSA Bulletin, v. 132, p. 1013–1030, doi: 10.1130/B35378.1, IF = 4.212.

[36] Lamont, T.N., Searle, M.P., Waters, D.J., Roberts, N.M.W., Palin, R.M., Smye, A., Dyck. B.J., Gopon, P., Weller, O.M., St-Onge, M.R., 2020. Compressional origin of the Naxos metamorphic core comples, Greece: Structure, petrography, and thermobarometry. GSA Bulletin, v. 132, p. 149–197, doi: 10.1130/B31978.1, IF = 4.212, [OPEN ACCESS] [PDF download]

2019

[35] Hernandez-Uribe, D., Hernandez-Montenegro, J.D., Cone, K.A., Palin, R.M., 2019. Oceanic slab-top melting during subduction: implications for trace-element recycling and adakite petrogenesis. Geology, v. 48, p. ,216–220, doi: 10.1130/G46835.1, IF = 5.006.

[34] Huang, G., Guo, J., Jiao, S., Palin, R.M., 2019. What drives the continental crust to be extremely hot so quickly? Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, v. 124, p. 11218–11231, doi: 10.1029/2019/JB017840, IF = 3.59.

[33] Hernandez-Uribe, D., Palin, R.M., 2019. Catastrophic shear-removal of subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Colorado Plateau by the subducted Farallon slab. Scientific Reports, v. 9, p. 8153, doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44628-y, IF = 4.122 [OPEN ACCESS] [PDF download]

[32] Treloar, P.J., Palin, R.M., Searle, M.P., 2019. Towards resolving the metamorphic enigma of the Indian Plate in the NW Himalaya of Pakistan. Geological Society of London: Special Publications, v. 483, doi: 10.1144/SP483-2019-22, IF = 1.581.

[31] Weller, O.M., Copley, A., Miller, W.G., Palin, R.M., Dyck, B., 2019. The relationship between mantle potential temperature and oceanic lithosphere buoyancy. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 518, p. 86–99, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2019.05.005, IF = 4.581.

[30] Hernandez-Uribe, D., Palin, R.M., 2019. A revised petrological model for subducted oceanic crust: Insights from phase equilibrium modeling. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 37, p. 745–768, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12483, IF = 4.418.

[29] Piccolo, A., Palin, R.M., White, R.W., Kaus, B.J.P., 2019. Generation of Earth's early continents from a relatively cool Archean mantle. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 20, p. 1679–1697, doi: 10.1029/2018GC008079, IF = 2.98.

[28] Hernandez-Uribe, D., Gutierrez-Aguilar, F., Mattinson, C.G., Palin, R.M., Neill, O.K., 2019. A new record of deeper and colder subduction in the Acatlan Complex, Mexico: evidence from phase equilibrium modelling and Zr-in-rutile thermometry. Lithos, v. 324–325, p. 551–568, doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2018.10.003, IF = 3.857.

[27] Forshaw, J., Waters, D.J., Pattison, D.R.M., Palin, R.M., Gopon, P., 2019. A comparison of observed and thermodynamically predicted phase equilibria and mineral compositions in mafic granulites. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 37, p. 153–179, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12454, IF = 4.418.

[26] Sepidbar, F., Ao, S., Palin, R.M., Li, Q-L., Zhang, Z., 2019. Origin, age and petrogenesis of barren (low-grade) granitoids from the Bezenjan-Bardsir magmatic complex, southeast of the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt, Iran. Ore Geology Reviews, v. 104, p. 132–147, doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2018.10.008, IF = 3.993.

2018

[25] Li, S., Santosh, M., Palin, R.M., 2018. Metamorphism during the Archean–Paleoproterozoic transition associated with microblock amalgamation in the Dharwar Craton, India. Journal of Petrology, v. 59, p. 2435–2462, doi: 10.1093/petrology/egy102, IF = 4.100.

[24] Monecke, T., Monecke, J., Reynolds, T.J., Tsuruoka, S., Bennett, M.M., Skewes, W.B., Palin, R.M., 2018. Quartz solubility in the H2O–NaCl system: a framework for understanding vein formation in porphyry copper deposits. Economic Geology, v. 113, p. 1007–1046, doi: 10.5382/econgeo.2018.4580, IF = 2.519.

[23] Palin, R.M., Treloar, P.J., Searle, M.P., Wald, T., White, R.W., Mertz-Kraus, R., 2018. U–Pb monazite ages from the Pakistan Himalaya record pre-Himalayan Ordovician orogeny and Permian continental break-up. Geological Society of America: Bulletin, v. 130, p. 2047–2061,  doi: 10.1130/B31943.1, IF = 4.212.

[22] Palin, R.M., Sayed, A.B., White, R.W., Mertz-Kraus, R., 2018. Origin, age, and significance of deep-seated granulite-facies migmatites in the Barrow zones of Scotland, Cairn Leuchan, Glen Muick area. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 36, p. 1071–1096, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12428, IF = 3.673.

[21] Palin, R.M., Dyck, B., 2018. Metamorphic consequences of secular changes in oceanic crust composition and implications for uniformitarianism in the geological record. In: Palin, R.M. and Spencer, C.J. (Eds) "Secular Change in Earth Processes"; Geoscience Frontiers, v. 9, p. 1009–1019, doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2018.04.004, IF = 4.256 [OPEN ACCESS] [PDF download]

[20] Palin, R.M., Spencer, C.J., 2018. Secular Change in Earth Processes: Preface. Geoscience Frontiers, v. 9, p. 965–966, doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2018.05.001, IF = 4.256 [OPEN ACCESS] [PDF download]

[19] Feisel, Y., White, R.W., Palin, R.M., Johnson, T.E., 2018. New constraints on granulite-facies metamorphism and melt production in the Lewisian Complex, northwest Scotland. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 36, p. 799–819, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12311, IF = 3.673.

2017

[18] Wade, J., Dyck, B., Palin, R.M., Moore, J.D.P., Smye, A.J., 2017. The divergent fates of primitive hydrospheric water on Earth and Mars. Nature, v. 552, p. 391–394, doi: 10.1038/nature25031, IF = 40.317.

[17] Palin, R.M., Reuber, G.S., White, R.W., Kaus, B.J.P., Weller, O.M., 2017. Subduction metamorphism in the Himalayan ultrahigh-pressure Tso Morari massif: an integrated geodynamic and petrological modelling approach. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 467, p. 108–119, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.03.029, IF =  4.326.

[16] White, R.W., Palin, R.M., Green, E.C.R., 2017. High-grade metamorphism and partial melting in Archaean composite grey gneiss complexes. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 35, p. 181–195, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12227, IF = 3.673.

2016

[15] Palin, R.M., White, R.W., Green, E.C.R., 2016c. Partial melting of metabasic rocks and the generation of tonalitic–trondhjemitic–granodioritic (TTG) crust in the Archaean: constraints from phase equilibrium modelling. Precambrian Research, v. 287, p. 73–90, doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2016.11.001, IF = 4.037.

[14] Palin, R.M., White, R.W., Green, E.C.R., Diener, J.F.A., Powell, R., Holland, T.J.B., 2016b. High-grade metamorphism and partial melting of basic and intermediate rocks. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 34, p. 871–892, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12212, IF = 3.673.

[13] Green, E.C.R., White, R.W., Diener, J.F.A., Powell, R., Holland, T.J.B., Palin, R.M., 2016. Activity–composition relations for the calculation of partial melting equilibria for metabasic rocks. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 34, p. 845–869, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12211, IF = 3.673.

[12] Weller, O.M., St-Onge, M.R., Rayner, N., Waters, D.J., Searle, M.P., Palin, R.M., 2016. U–Pb zircon geochronology and phase equilibria modelling of a mafic eclogite from the Sumdo complex of south-east Tibet: insights into prograde zircon growth and the assembly of the Tibetan plateau. Lithos, v. 262, p. 729–741, doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2016.06.005, IF = 3.723.

[11] Palin, R.M., Weller, O.M., Waters, D.J., Dyck, B., 2016a. Quantifying geological uncertainty in metamorphic phase equilibria modelling; a Monte Carlo assessment and implications for tectonic interpretations. Geoscience Frontiers, v. 7, p. 591–607, doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2015.08.005, IF = 1.216 [OPEN ACCESS] [PDF download]

[10] Palin, R.M., White, R.W., 2016. Emergence of blueschists on Earth linked to secular changes in oceanic crust composition. Nature Geoscience, v. 9, p. 60–64, doi: 10.1038/ngeo2605, IF = 11.740.

2015

[9] Palin, R.M., Searle, M.P., St-Onge, M.R., Waters, D.J., Roberts, N.M.W., Horstwood, M.S.A., Parrish, R.R., Weller, O.M., 2015. Two-stage cooling and exhumation history of pelitic mylonite from the Dongjiu-Milin shear zone, northwest flank of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Gondwana Research, v. 28, p. 509–530, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2014.07.009, IF = 8.122.

[8] Weller, O.M., St-Onge, M.R., Searle, M.P., Waters, D.J., Rayner, N., Chung, S.L., Palin, R.M., Chen, S., 2015. Quantifying the P–T–t conditions of north-south Lhasa terrane accretion: new insight into the pre-Himalayan architecture of the Tibetan plateau. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 33, p. 91–113, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12112, IF = 3.4.

2014

[7] Palin, R.M., St-Onge, M.R., Waters, D.J., Searle, M.P., Dyck, B., 2014b. Phase equilibria modelling of retrograde amphibole and clinozoisite in mafic eclogite from the Tso Morari massif, northwest India: constraining the P–T–M(H2O) conditions of exhumation. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 32, p. 675–693, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12085, IF = 3.4.

[6] Palin, R.M., Searle, M.P., St-Onge, M.R., Waters, D.J., Roberts, N.M.W., Horstwood, M.S.A., Parrish, R.R., Weller, O.M., Chen, S., Yang, J., 2014a. Monazite geochronology and petrology of kyanite- and sillimanite-grade migmatites from the northwestern flank of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Gondwana Research, v. 26, p. 323–347, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2013.06.022, IF = 7.396.

2013

[5] Weller, O.M., St-Onge, M.R., Searle, M.P., Rayner, N., Waters, D.J., Chung, S.L., Palin, R.M., Lee, Y.H., Xu, X.W., 2013. Quantifying Barrovian metamorphism in the Danba Structural Culmination of eastern Tibet. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 31, p. 909–935, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12050, IF = 3.4.

[4] Palin, R.M., Searle, M.P., Morley, C.K., Charusiri, P., Horstwood, M.S.A., Roberts, N.M.W., 2013b. Timing of metamorphism of the Lansang gneiss and implications for motion along the Mae Ping (Wang Chao) strike-slip fault, Thailand. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Charles Hutchison Memorial Volume, v. 76, p. 120–136, doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2013.01.021, IF = 2.379.

[3] St-Onge, M.R., Rayner, N., Palin, R.M., Searle, M.P., Waters, D.J., 2013. Integrated pressure–temperature–time constraints for the Tso Morari dome (NW India): Implications for the burial and exhumation path of UHP units in the western Himalaya. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 31, p. 469–504, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12030, IF = 2.99.

[2] Palin, R.M., Searle, M.P., Waters, D.J., Parrish, R.R., Roberts, N.M.W., Horstwood, M.S.A., Yeh, M.W., Chung, S.L., Anh, T.T., 2013a. A geochronological and petrological study of anatectic paragneiss and associated granite dykes from the Day Nui Con Voi metamorphic core complex, North Vietnam; constraints upon the timing of metamorphism within the Red River shear zone. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 31, p. 359–387, doi: 10.1111/jmg.12025, IF = 2.99.

2012

[1] Palin, R.M., Searle, M.P., Waters, D.J., Horstwood, M.S.A., Parrish, R.R., 2012. Combined thermobarometry and geochronology of peraluminous metapelites from the Karakoram metamorphic complex, North Pakistan; New insight into the tectonothermal evolution of the Baltoro and Hunza regions. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 30, p. 793–820, doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2012.00999.x, IF = 3.148.

Research group and visitors

Current students at Oxford


 Tobermory Mackay-Champion, DPhil (PhD) candidate (Oxford, UK)

Toby will investigate the geodynamic and thermodynamic processes of Cu-Co ore body formation in the Katanga Basin, Central Africa as part of the NERC Copper Basin Exploration Science (CuBES) team. CuBES will determine the crustal framework of the Katanga basin by conducting passive seismic experiments along a profile of the basin in Zambia. These geophysical data will be used in tandem with structural field observations, metamorphic petrology and U-Pb geochronology to formulate an integrated and coherent process-driven evolution of the Katanga Basin and its Cu-Co pathways and ore bodies.


Lot Koopmans, DPhil (PhD) candidate (Oxford, UK)

Lot will investigate the petrogenesis Li-Cs-Ta (LCT) pegmatites which crystallized around the Archean-Proterozoic boundary by using phase equilibrium modelling and isotope geochemistry. He hopes use insights gained from LCT pegmatites to constrain crustal evolution processes in the Early Earth.


Felix M. H. Sihombing, DPhil (PhD) candidate (Oxford, UK)

Felix will investigate several machine learning tools for mineral exploration purposes. Some topics that will be studied are how the Graph Neural Network (GNN) algorithm can be utilised in mineral exploration, and the use of unsupervised machine learning for solving various mineral exploration problems.

Felix's webpage can be found here https://staff.blog.ui.ac.id/felix.sihombing/


Isabelle Goddard, Masters student (Oxford, UK)


Jamie Church, Masters student (Oxford, UK)


Lottie Robinson, Masters student (Oxford, UK)


Hector Skipworth, Masters student (Oxford, UK)

Current visitors at Oxford

Dr Jin Liu, Associate Professor, Jilin University, China

Jin is an Associate Professor at Jilin University, China, and his current research interests mostly include Archean and Paleoproterozoic geodynamics/tectonic processes, including dating the onset of subduction in the geological record and understanding the petrogenesis of TTG magmas in non-plate tectonic environments. He currently focuses on the Eoarchean-Nesoarchean tectothermal events in the North China Craton, and aims to establish the evolution process from ancient continental nucleus to final cratonization.

Jin is visiting the research group, funded by the China Scholarship Council, for 12 months.


Bing Yu, PhD candidate, China University of Geosciences Beijing (CUGB), China



Past students

PhD/DPhil students
Masters students
  • Lewis Llyod (MESc, Oxford, UK)
  • Hannah Worthington (MESc, Oxford, UK)
  • William Osborne (MESc, Oxford, UK)
    • Research project: "Metamorphic history of Earth’s oldest rocks: the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt"
  • Josh Evans (MESc, Oxford, UK)
    • Research project: "Petrogenesis of the Kennack Gneiss and other felsic intrusions in the Lizard Ophiolite, Cornwall, UK"
  • Annabel Elleray (MESc, Oxford, UK)
    • Research project: "Plate tectonics on other planets: a stochastic analysis of exoplanet mineralogy and composition"
  • Andrea Distel (MS, 2021, CSM, USA)
    • Dissertation: "Magmatic processes on the asteroid 4-vesta: implications for differentiation of small rocky bodies". Now a PhD student at ASU, USA.
  • Miranda Lehman (MS, 2020, CSM, USA)
    • Dissertation: "Taking the tectonothermal pulse of Mesoproterozoic metamorphism." Now a PhD student at CSM, USA
  • Trevor Copple (PM, 2020, CSM, USA)
    • Dissertation: "Analyzing mineral assemblages for metamorphic facies of the Flambeau deposit in northern Wisconsin."
  • Zachary Palmer (MS, 2019, CSM, USA)
    • Dissertation: "The nature and timing of metamorphism within the San Isabel granite aureole, Wet Mountains, south Colorado". Now working as an exploration geologist.
  • Hannah Cayes (MS, 2019, CSM, USA)
    • Dissertation: "Formation of topaz-enriched gneiss in the east-central Colorado front range via crystallization of Mesoproterozoic halogen-rich granitic magmas." Now working as an exploration geologist.
  • Yves Feisel (MS, 2017, JGU-Mainz, Germany)
    • Dissertation: "New constraints on granulite facies metamorphism and melt production in the Lewisian Complex, northwest Scotland." Now a PhD student at JGU Mainz. See Feisel et al. (2018; JMG)
  • Rudolf Legler (MS, 2017, JGU-Mainz, Germany)
    • Dissertation: "Petrological investigation of the Lizard Ophiolite Complex, England."
  • Maik Steinmark (MS, 2017, JGU-Mainz, Germany)
    • Dissertation: "Quantitative Texture Analysis of an Ophiolitic Dyke at the Bay of Coverack, Cornwall (SW-England)."
Undergraduate student research projects
  • Hannah Worthington (2020, Oxford, UK)
  • Lauren Miller (2019, CSM, USA)
  • Lauren Martin (2018, CSM, USA)
  • Jacob Tarpley (2018, CSM, USA)
  • Josie Kinzie (2017, CSM, USA)
  • Tanja Wald (2017, JGU Mainz)
  • Georg Reuber (2016, JGU Mainz)
  • Lorenzo Candiotti (2016, JGU Mainz)
  • Abdul Bari-Sayed (2016, JGU Mainz)
  • Alexander Schmidt (2015, JGU Mainz)
  • Florian Furhmann (2015, JGU Mainz)

Teaching

University of Oxford (2020 onwards)
  • Plate Tectonics (Michelmas term 2021; ~18 students. 3rd Year)
  • Metamorphic Petrology (Hillary term 2020, 2021; ~35 students, 2nd Year).
Colorado School of Mines (2017–2019)
  • GEGN307 – Petrology (Spring 2019; ~10 students, 3 credit hours).
  • GEOL498A – Planetary Geology (Fall 2018; ~20 students, 3 credit hours).
  • GEOL498A – Introduction to Plate Tectonics (Spring 2018; ~10 students, 3 credit hours).
  • GEOL525A – Principles of Metamorphic Geology (Fall 2017; ~20 students, 3 credit hours).
JGU Mainz (2014–2017)
  • 09.065.010 – Principles of Earth Sciences (GEOS 1r. Earth Systems) (1st year undergraduate level).
  • 09.065.060 – Maps and Cross Sections (GEOS 2.5 Geology 2) (2nd year undergraduate level).

Links

Goldschmidt 2023, Lyon
Session: 4dO1 - Crust formation, differentiation and stabilization on the early Earth: a metamorphic perspective
Presentation: The troublesome petrogenesis of Archean TTG magmas: current understanding and future directions (Richard Palin)
File: Papers/Palin_16061_oral.pptx        Papers/Palin_16061_oral.pdf