Carbon emissions along divergent plate boundaries modulate icehouse-greenhouse climates
Carbon emissions along divergent plate boundaries modulate icehouse-greenhouse climate transitions through mid-ocean ridge and rift degassing.
ben-mather
Professional Summary
I am an ARC Industry Research Fellow in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at The University of Melbourne. I am an expert in fusing Earth evolution models with data to understand how groundwater moves critical minerals through the landscape. Related research interests include the cycling of volatiles within the Earth, probabilistic thermal models of the lithosphere to unravel past tectonic and climatic events, and understanding the how enigmatic volcanoes form.
I am a vocal advocate for the integral role of geoscience in responding to challenges we face in transitioning to the carbon-neutral economy. As an expert in my field, I have been interviewed in national and international print media, TV, and radio on a wide variety of subjects including earthquakes, volcanoes, groundwater, and critical minerals.
Education
PhD in Earth Science
The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Monash University
Diploma of Film and Television
Monash University
Interests
Enigmatic volcanoes
Groundwater flow
Critical minerals and green energy
General health of the planet
Experience
ARC Industry Research Fellow
The University of Melbourne
Fusing Earth evolution models with data to understand how groundwater moves critical minerals through the landscape.
- Coupled fluid-thermal models of sedimentary basins to understand the formation of sediment-hosted copper deposits.
- Tectonic reconstructions of past continents and ocean basins.
MGE Geoscientist
BHP
Developing spatio-temporal data frameworks to uncover copper deposits using machine learning within the Metals Global Endowment team at BHP.
Research Fellow
The University of Sydney
Explore the dynamics of plume-ridge and plume-slab interaction
- Plume-slab interaction in the Tasman Sea
- The role of plume-ridge interaction on plate reorganisation
Computational Geophysicist
Sydney Informatics Hub
Coupling of geodynamic codes with surface processes and groundwater flow.
- Applied to the Sydney Basin.
- Parallel computing frameworks built on PETSc.
- Optimisation using deep learning algorithms.
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
3D integrated geothermal modelling of Ireland.
- Forward and inverse modelling of geothermal heat flux.
- Assimilate Curie depth, seismic velocity, gravity anomly, surface heat flow data.
Research Assistant
The University of Melbourne
Developer of Quagmire, a code for parallel surface processes modelling.
- Multiple meshing algorithms for unstructured, regular, and orthogonal meshes.
- Mesh decomposition and solving routines built on PETSc.
- Landscape evolution using stream flow algorithms.
Education
PhD in Earth Science
The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Monash University
Diploma of Film and Television
Monash University
Featured Publications
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1 min read
Craton boundary detection from full-waveform tomography model reveals links to critical metal deposits
Using full-waveform seismic tomography to detect craton boundaries and their spatial links to critical metal deposit locations.
hojat-shirmard
Regional carbonate compensation depth variability in the Pacific Ocean since the Oligocene
Reconstructing regional carbonate compensation depth variability in the Pacific Ocean since the Oligocene to understand deep-sea carbon cycling.
faranak-dalvand
Subducting seafloor anomalies promote porphyry copper formation
Plate tectonic reconstructions and machine learning show that subducting seafloor anomalies promote porphyry copper deposit formation.
ben-mather
Recent Publications
(2026).
Carbon emissions along divergent plate boundaries modulate icehouse-greenhouse climates.
Communications Earth & Environment.
(2025).
Craton boundary detection from full-waveform tomography model reveals links to critical metal deposits.
Geoscience Frontiers.
(2025).
Regional carbonate compensation depth variability in the Pacific Ocean since the Oligocene.
Frontiers in Earth Science.
(2025).
Subducting seafloor anomalies promote porphyry copper formation.
International Geology Review.
(2024).
Solid Earth Carbon Degassing and Sequestration Since 1 Billion Years Ago.
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems.
Recent & Upcoming Talks
Subducting seafloor anomalies promote porphyry copper emplacement
Ben Mather , Dietmar Müller, Chris Alfonso, Nicky Wright, Maria Seton 350% increase in copper demand by 2050 for renewable energy plants and EVs. No significant copper discoveries …
ben-mather