Jasmin Bower

PhD project title:

Paleostress and fluid flow during porphyry copper formation in the western USA

Project description:

My research investigates the tectonic controls on porphyry copper deposit (PCD) formation along the margin of the Colorado Plateau in the western USA, a region rich in copper resources. Copper is essential for low-carbon technologies, yet new sources are increasingly challenging to locate. Understanding how tectonic forces influence copper mineralization could improve exploration success.
 
The project focuses on the role of the Laramide Orogeny, a period of intense crustal deformation and magmatism associated with the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath North America. This tectonic activity caused large-scale stress variations across the Colorado Plateau and Wyoming Craton, influencing fluid movement in the crust and creating conditions favourable for PCDs.
 
Through structural and paleomagnetic analysis of dykes, along with mineralogical studies of hydrothermal veins, I aim to map stress field patterns that controlled the movement of copper-bearing fluids. This work will also examine how these stress variations shaped copper deposit formation by identifying spatial and temporal correlations between stress orientation and PCDs. By better understanding these relationships, this research has direct implications for identifying future copper resources in similar tectonic settings worldwide, aiding in sustainable copper exploration.

Resources:

• Email: jasmin.bower.20@ucl.ac.uk
• Supervisors: Dr Frances Cooper and Dr Katie McFall