PESGB Evening Lecture – May (Online)

Speaker: Professor Mike Searle – Oxford University

Topic: Tectonics of the Oman-UAE mountains – ophiolite obduction, continental and mountain building

Abstract
The Oman – UAE Mountains form a stunningly well exposed and complete geological belt in which to unravel processes operating during mountain belt formation. These include formation of the 96-95 Ma Semail ophiolite above a NE-dipping subduction zone, high-temperature metamorphic sole formed during initial subduction initiation, later continental subduction to form the High-pressure eclogites, and large-scale thrust tectonics. Matching fold and thrust structures in the mountains (Musandam, Hawasina Window, Jebel Akhdar and Saih Hatat) to well-constrained structures in the foreland in time and space are the key goal of our present work in Oman.

Professor Mike Searle – Oxford University

Mike Searle is Professor of Earth Sciences at Oxford University, a Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College, Oxford, an Honorary Associate at Oxford University Museum of Natural History and an Honorary Professor at Camborne School of Mines. He researches the tectonic, structural, metamorphic and magmatic evolution of mountain belts, focussing on the Himalayan, Karakorum and Hindu Kush ranges of Central Asia and also specialises in the tectonic of the Oman – United Arab Emirates mountain range. Mike has published over 220 peer-reviewed papers and three books including the popular science book, “Colliding Continents, a geological exploration of the Himalaya, Karakoram and Tibet” (Oxford University Press), as well as having co-edited 6 Special Publications. He has supervised nearly 50 graduate research students, many of who have gone on to work in industry.