Rob Holm
Lecturer in Earth and Oceans at James Cook University, Australia.
Ph.D Geology ('14) James Cook University, Australia
PGDip Engineering Geology ('10) University of Canterbury, NZ
BSc (Hons) Geology ('08) University of Canterbury, NZ
Ph.D Geology ('14) James Cook University, Australia
PGDip Engineering Geology ('10) University of Canterbury, NZ
BSc (Hons) Geology ('08) University of Canterbury, NZ
I currently hold the position of Lecturer in the Department of Earth and Oceans within the College of Science, Technology and Engineering at James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. I have been in this role since completing my PhD dissertation on the geodynamic evolution of Papua New Guinea mid 2013. My research and teaching interests have been fostered by teaching and mentoring at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in different learning environments from the University of Canterbury, a short time at the University of Queensland, and James Cook University. My undergraduate research interests developed in New Zealand very much revolved around field research in structural geology and active tectonic processes, which have been complimented by the addition of my exposure to in-depth petrology and tectonic geology in Australia and the southwest Pacific.
My main research interests revolve around tectonics, igneous petrology and structural geology. To date my research focus has been towards the investigation of the tectonic and magmatic processes that occur at convergent margins and associated subduction dynamics; the driving forces that cause major tectonic reorganisation, and how these are expressed in the geological record. Most of this research addresses large-scale geological processes; however, at a smaller-scale I am also interested in the feedbacks between tectonic and structural processes, natural hazards, landscape evolution/geomorphology and hydrologic systems. I employ multidisciplinary research methodologies that include elements of igneous petrology, geochemistry and geochronology, field studies and structural relationships, economic geology, stratigraphy and principles of sedimentology, geomorphology, and using geophysical methods to unravel geology at both regional terrane scale and on local scales. As part of this research, I am particularly interested in the generation of plate tectonic reconstructions and the use and development of novel-multidisciplinary methods to unravel the tectonic history of complex geological terranes, and further, what insights these reconstructions can provide us into the role of tectonics in ore deposit formation.
My dissertation addressed the Late Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of Papua New Guinea. Although Papua New Guinea formed only recently in geological terms, it lies in a complex tectonic setting of oblique convergence between the Pacific and Australian plates, and trapped between the converging Ontong Java Plateau of the Pacific plate and the Australian continent. Through my dissertation research into the geodynamic evolution of Papua New Guinea I have been able to illustrate how we might gain insights into subduction dynamics and crustal processes through magmatic arc processes in time that may be difficult to resolve via other means. Although my dissertation focused on Papua New Guinea, this is part of a wider collaborative research effort to understand the geology of the southwest Pacific and eastern Gondwana. This research involves collaboration with academics and industry from Papua New Guinea in addition to several Australian universities, and international contributors. This region of the world represents a great interest to me and I am enthusiastic to apply the methods and experience I have gained through this research to further unravel the tectonic and geodynamic history the region, and explore the application of these findings in other active and ancient plate boundaries around the world.
Publications
Holm, R.J., Rosenbaum, G., Richards, S.W., 2016. Post 8 Ma reconstruction of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands: Microplate tectonics in a convergent plate boundary setting. Earth-Science Reviews 156, 66-81.
Holm, R.J., Spandler, C., Richards, S.W., 2015. Continental collision, orogenesis and arc magmatism of the Miocene Maramuni arc, Papua New Guinea. Gondwana Research 28, 1117-1136.
Buys, J., Spandler, C., Holm, R.J., Richards, S.W., 2014. Remnants of ancient Australia in Vanuatu: Implications for crustal evolution in island arcs and tectonic development of the southwest Pacific. Geology 42, 939-942.
Holm, R.J., Spandler, C., Richards, S.W., 2013. Melanesian arc far-field response to collision of the Ontong Java Plateau: Geochronology and petrogenesis of the Simuku Igneous Complex, New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Tectonophysics 603, 189–212.
Holm, R.J., Richards, S.W., 2013. A re-evaluation of arc-continent collision and along-arc variation in the Bismarck Sea region, Papua New Guinea. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 60, 605–619.
Holm, R.J., Bell, D.H., 2013. Sedimentology and structure of the Malvern Hills Coal Mine, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 56, 39–52.
Richards, S.W., Holm, R.J., 2013. Tectonic preconditioning and the formation of giant porphyry deposits. Economic Geology Special Publication 17, 265–275.
Richards, S., Holm, R., Barber, G., 2011. When slabs collide: A tectonic assessment of deep earthquakes in the Tonga-Vanuatu region. Geology 39, 787–790.
My main research interests revolve around tectonics, igneous petrology and structural geology. To date my research focus has been towards the investigation of the tectonic and magmatic processes that occur at convergent margins and associated subduction dynamics; the driving forces that cause major tectonic reorganisation, and how these are expressed in the geological record. Most of this research addresses large-scale geological processes; however, at a smaller-scale I am also interested in the feedbacks between tectonic and structural processes, natural hazards, landscape evolution/geomorphology and hydrologic systems. I employ multidisciplinary research methodologies that include elements of igneous petrology, geochemistry and geochronology, field studies and structural relationships, economic geology, stratigraphy and principles of sedimentology, geomorphology, and using geophysical methods to unravel geology at both regional terrane scale and on local scales. As part of this research, I am particularly interested in the generation of plate tectonic reconstructions and the use and development of novel-multidisciplinary methods to unravel the tectonic history of complex geological terranes, and further, what insights these reconstructions can provide us into the role of tectonics in ore deposit formation.
My dissertation addressed the Late Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of Papua New Guinea. Although Papua New Guinea formed only recently in geological terms, it lies in a complex tectonic setting of oblique convergence between the Pacific and Australian plates, and trapped between the converging Ontong Java Plateau of the Pacific plate and the Australian continent. Through my dissertation research into the geodynamic evolution of Papua New Guinea I have been able to illustrate how we might gain insights into subduction dynamics and crustal processes through magmatic arc processes in time that may be difficult to resolve via other means. Although my dissertation focused on Papua New Guinea, this is part of a wider collaborative research effort to understand the geology of the southwest Pacific and eastern Gondwana. This research involves collaboration with academics and industry from Papua New Guinea in addition to several Australian universities, and international contributors. This region of the world represents a great interest to me and I am enthusiastic to apply the methods and experience I have gained through this research to further unravel the tectonic and geodynamic history the region, and explore the application of these findings in other active and ancient plate boundaries around the world.
Publications
Holm, R.J., Rosenbaum, G., Richards, S.W., 2016. Post 8 Ma reconstruction of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands: Microplate tectonics in a convergent plate boundary setting. Earth-Science Reviews 156, 66-81.
Holm, R.J., Spandler, C., Richards, S.W., 2015. Continental collision, orogenesis and arc magmatism of the Miocene Maramuni arc, Papua New Guinea. Gondwana Research 28, 1117-1136.
Buys, J., Spandler, C., Holm, R.J., Richards, S.W., 2014. Remnants of ancient Australia in Vanuatu: Implications for crustal evolution in island arcs and tectonic development of the southwest Pacific. Geology 42, 939-942.
Holm, R.J., Spandler, C., Richards, S.W., 2013. Melanesian arc far-field response to collision of the Ontong Java Plateau: Geochronology and petrogenesis of the Simuku Igneous Complex, New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Tectonophysics 603, 189–212.
Holm, R.J., Richards, S.W., 2013. A re-evaluation of arc-continent collision and along-arc variation in the Bismarck Sea region, Papua New Guinea. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 60, 605–619.
Holm, R.J., Bell, D.H., 2013. Sedimentology and structure of the Malvern Hills Coal Mine, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 56, 39–52.
Richards, S.W., Holm, R.J., 2013. Tectonic preconditioning and the formation of giant porphyry deposits. Economic Geology Special Publication 17, 265–275.
Richards, S., Holm, R., Barber, G., 2011. When slabs collide: A tectonic assessment of deep earthquakes in the Tonga-Vanuatu region. Geology 39, 787–790.
Rob in the news:
Hi-tech opens up Earth's secrets: Geology Page; Phys.org; Science Daily
Australian Geoscience Council: 34th IGC Travel Grant Media Release
Click here for a link to Rob's JCU Research Portfolio.
To view a humorous alternative biography, click here.
