BSc(Hons) (Otago) PhD(UCSB)
- Petrology (igneous and metamorphic)
- Geochemistry
- Geochronology
- Tectonics
Tel +64 3 479 7567
Email sophie.briggs@otago.ac.nz
Google Scholar: Sophie Briggs
ORCID orcid.org/0000-0003-4286-8740
Research Interests
My research focuses on unravelling the tectonic and geochemical evolution of Earth’s crust, using information recorded by high-temperature geochronometers (zircon, monazite, xenotime and garnet). Common to all of my research projects is the use of isotopic and elemental analysis of these minerals by ICP-MS (‘petrochronology’). My recent PhD research involves the application of these techniques to New Zealand’s Alpine Schist, which provides a record of the tectonic processes at play during the separation of Zealandia and Gondwana.
Figure 1: GEOL 252 students examine turbidite deposits at Benmore dam during Maerewhenua summer field camp.
Figure 2: Field work in the Mataketake Range, South Island, New Zealand.
Teaching
- EAOS 111 Earth and Ocean Science
- GEOL 112 Dynamic Earth: A New Zealand Perspective
- GEOL 252 Field Studies and New Zealand Geology
- GEOL 344 Advanced Field Studies
Publications
Briggs, S. (2020). School of rocks: Engaging students in earth science and geologic heritage. In K. N. Bassett, A. R. L. Nichols & C. H. Fenton (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 157A, (pp. 48). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]
Briggs, S. (2019). Waitaki Whitestone Geopark: UNESCO Global Geopark in the making. Proceedings of the New Zealand Snow and Ice Research Group (SIRG) Workshop. (pp. 28). Retrieved from https://sirg.org.nz
Briggs, S. I., & Cottle, J. M. (2018). Accessory mineral petrochronology reveals 30 m.y. of partial melting during the separation of Zealandia from eastern Gondwana. Lithosphere, 11(1), 169-189. doi: 10.1130/L1021.1
Briggs, S. I., Cottle, J. M., & Smit, M. A. (2018). Record of plate boundary metamorphism during Gondwana breakup from Lu–Hf garnet geochronology of the Alpine Schist, New Zealand. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 36(7), 821-841. doi: 10.1111/jmg.12313
Briggs, S. (2018, July). Unlocking the tectonic history of Zealandia: Insights from garnet and zircon geochronology of the Alpine Schist. Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Briggs, S. I., & Cottle, J. M. (2018). Accessory mineral petrochronology reveals 30 m.y. of partial melting during the separation of Zealandia from eastern Gondwana. Lithosphere, 11(1), 169-189. doi: 10.1130/L1021.1
Journal - Research Article
Briggs, S. I., Cottle, J. M., & Smit, M. A. (2018). Record of plate boundary metamorphism during Gondwana breakup from Lu–Hf garnet geochronology of the Alpine Schist, New Zealand. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 36(7), 821-841. doi: 10.1111/jmg.12313
Journal - Research Article
Simkins, L. M., DeWitt, R., Simms, A. R., Briggs, S., & Shapiro, R. S. (2016). Investigation of optically stimulated luminescence behavior of quartz from crystalline rock surfaces: A look forward. Quaternary Geochronology, 36, 161-173. doi: 10.1016/j.quageo.2016.09.002
Journal - Research Article
Briggs, S. (2020). School of rocks: Engaging students in earth science and geologic heritage. In K. N. Bassett, A. R. L. Nichols & C. H. Fenton (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 157A, (pp. 48). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Briggs, S. (2019). Waitaki Whitestone Geopark: UNESCO Global Geopark in the making. Proceedings of the New Zealand Snow and Ice Research Group (SIRG) Workshop. (pp. 28). Retrieved from https://sirg.org.nz
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Briggs, S. I., Cottle, J. M., Smit, M. A., & Arnush, N. F. (2016). Duration of convergence at the Pacific-Gondwana plate margin: Insights from accessory phase petrochronology of the Alpine Schist, New Zealand. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. V13D-2892. Retrieved from https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm16/meetingapp.cgi
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Briggs, S. (2018, July). Unlocking the tectonic history of Zealandia: Insights from garnet and zircon geochronology of the Alpine Schist. Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
