Dr Heather Sheldon: modelling geological processes
Dr Heather Sheldon’s work in the numerical modelling of geological processes is shedding light on the formation of ore deposits.
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4 October 2007 | Updated 14 October 2011
Overview
Current activities
Dr Heather Sheldon is a Research Scientist for CSIRO Exploration and Mining.
She is based at the Australian Resources Research Centre (ARRC) at Kensington in Perth, Western Australia.
Dr Sheldon is involved in several activities in computational geoscience. These include:
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numerical modelling to explore generic features of gold mineralisation in the Yilgarn craton in Western Australia
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development and numerical implementation of a ‘damage mechanics’ formulation for simulating rock deformation
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exploring the relationships between and benefits of different techniques for modelling rock deformation, for example, stress transfer, finite difference, discrete element.
Dr Sheldon is interested in understanding the interactions between mechanical, chemical, and thermal processes in geological systems.
Background
Dr Sheldon joined CSIRO in June 2003.
Her primary research interest lies in understanding the coupling between mechanical, chemical and thermal processes in geological systems.
She is especially interested in how these processes result in the formation of ore deposits.
Dr Sheldon uses numerical models to explore the interactions between:
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deformation
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fluid flow
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heat/mass transport
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chemical reactions.
Academic qualifications
Dr Sheldon has been awarded a:
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Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, in 1999
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Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom in 2003.
Her doctoral thesis was on numerical modelling of reactive fluid flow and deformation in geological systems with applications to pressure solution in sandstones and magma generation in the continental crust.
Achievements
Dr Sheldon has published several peer-reviewed journal articles, and given oral presentations and posters at Australian and international conferences.
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