Joseph Aslin

My project focusses on the role mica minerals play in dictating the strength of fault and shear zones and the implications of this on deformation and rheology within the Earth’s crust. I am based in the deformation, microstructures and volcanology research group at Liverpool and my project involves extensive fieldwork in the Italian Alps and New Zealand. 

My research interests focus around structural geology, metamorphic petrology and tectonics, all of which form an integral part of my project. The main techniques I use include optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and electron backscatter diffraction, the latter of which is a relatively new discipline that was developed and pioneered at Liverpool. My project also contains a significant fieldwork component which is in my opinion a very important discipline in getting to grips with problems involving the Earth system. 

My project is funded by the NERC Earth, Atmosphere and Ocean DTP between Liverpool and Manchester. Which gives me the advantage of access to equipment and training in both institutions.