Basin Structure

Sedimentary basin and mountains

Our research promotes an integrated approach to investigating the evolution and deformation of sedimentary basins and their stratigraphic fills. We use examples from basins spanning the globe to address fundamental questions on sedimentary basin evolution.

 Sedimentary basins are regions of the Earth’s surface that have undergone prolonged subsidence, allowing for infill of sedimentary deposits. Basins evolve in diverse geological settings, driven by both local and global tectonic and geodynamic processes. Investigating the development of a sedimentary basin can provide insights into plate movements throughout time, and is fundamental to characterizing potential petroleum reservoirs in a region.

We aim to develop a better understanding of basins in a variety of tectonic settings by using seismic reflection interpretation, field studies, and structural modelling. In addition, many of our studies involve integration of structural basin analysis with a broader tectonic framework and petroleum systems modelling in both extensional and compressional margins.

We are part of Geosolutions Leeds.

Our research areas

All of our research has both regional and generic implications across the globe. The broad research themes that we are investigating are:

  • Rift Systems
  • Passive Margins
  • Salt Tectonics
  • Inversions Tectonics
  • Compressional Systems

The Basin Structure Group is global in extent with a focus on the following areas:

  • South Africa
  • Namibia
  • Southern Atlantic region generally
  • Greenland
  • NW European margin
  • NW Shelf Australia
  • East African Rift
  • Offshore East Africa

Contact us

We are keen to hear from prospective students, researchers and companies who have an interest in joining our group. If you would like to discuss an area of our research in more detail, please contact Dr Richard Collier.

If you are a company there are two mechanisms by which you can access our research results: a consortium membership (companies contribute to the research themes but do not have a specific project); or a company focused project including consortium membership – this provides specific research on your dataset with deliverables tailored to your requirements.