ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid SystemsBruno Colas
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PhD Student Contact DetailsAustralian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems (CCFS), GEMOC
Mob : 61-(0)4-2258 5727
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Research Interests
Two projects:
- Understanding the dynamics of strike-slip faults at active margins
Supervisor: Simon Clark
The San Andreas Fault (SAF) has been studied extensively, perhaps more than any other fault zone in the world, but we still do not understand many of the basic properties of the fault. For example, heat flow and stress orientation data from across the fault suggest that the fault is much weaker than expected. A popular explanation for this is that fault friction is reduced by high pore fluid pressures although the mechanism allowing this has never clearly been established. It is thought that the weak zone is associated with clay‐rich rocks comprising interconnected networks of low friction smectitic phyllosilicates.
We propose to undertake a serie of experiments to determine the dehydration temperature of smectite (clay mineral) as a function of pressure under varying degrees of strain using conductivity, X-ray imaging and other diffraction methods. These data will be combined with results from SAFOD drilling and other fault data to help refine our models of fault dynamics.
- Determination of the hydrogen bonding network in amorphous calcium carbonate
Supervisor: Simon Clark
Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) plays a key role in the early stages of biomineralisation. Recent studies have shown the presence of a polyamorphic phase transition in the solid (Fernandez-Martinez et al., Angewandte Chemie (2013)) and a liquid-liquid binodal in the solution prior to solidification (Myerson et al., Science (2013)). Changes in the hydrogen bonding network is thought to be responsible for these behaviors.
We propose the first determination of the hydrogen bonding network in ACC using Monte Carlo simulations constrained by neutron and X-ray scattering data.
Publications
S.M. Clark, B. Colas, M. Kunz, S. Speziale, P.J.M. Monteiro. 2008. Effect of pressure on the crystal structure of ettringite. Cement and Concrete Research, 38, 1, 19–26.
B. Romanowicz, J. Rhie and B. Colas. 2005. Insights Into the Origin of Earth’s hum and its relation to Microseisms. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2005, abstract #S31A-0271; 2005AGUFM.S31A0271R
Experience
- 2011-2013: Mathematics Teacher in High School (Paris, France)
- 2009-2010: Research at Department of Earth & Planetary Science, University of California Berkeley
- Study of different materials under high pressure.
- Data analysis to study the seismic anisotropy in the Earth inner core. - 2007: Financial Risk Management, AXA UK, London
Exposure of AXA UK Insurance policies to systemic risk.
Research project on extreme events, tail correlation for Equity returns and Credit Spread. Risk assessment of AXA UK Investments.
- 2006: Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Data analysis and experiments on high pressure samples. I participated in a publication about the effect of pressure on the crystal structure of ettringite.
Publication: S.M. Clark, B. Colas, M. Kunz, S. Speziale, P.J.M. Monteiro. 2008. Effect of pressure on the crystal structure of ettringite. Cement and Concrete Research, 38, 1, 19–26. - 2005: Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley
Data collection and analysis of many seismic stations around the Pacific Ocean to better understand the seismic behaviour of this region.
Publication: Insights Into the Origin of Earth’s hum and its relation to Microseisms; B. Romanowicz, J. Rhie and B. Colas; American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2005, abstract #S31A-0271; 2005AGUFM.S31A0271R - 2004: Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley
Data analysis of a buried ocean-floor broadband seismic station - 2003: Magnetism and Optical Laboratory of Versailles (University of Versailles)
One month Internship, Study of Mössbauer effect - 2003-2009: Teacher in High School and Assistant Teacher in University (Mathematics and Physics)
Education
- 2004-2006: Master of Physics
Condensed Matter & Materials Sciences, Development and Characterization of the materials, Functional Properties of the materials, Technology and Devices, Quantum optics, Quantum physics, Statistical physics
Universite de Versailles St-Quentin, France - 2003-2004: Maîtrise of Physics
Quantum optics, Quantum physics, Statistical physics, Fluids mechanics, Semi-conductors
Universite de Versailles St-Quentin, France - 2000-2003: Licence of Physics & Mathematics
Numerical analysis, Differential calculus, Statistics and Probability, Quantum physics, Thermodynamics, Point mechanics
Universite de Versailles St-Quentin, France