Dr. Ben Mather

Dr. Ben Mather

Research Fellow in Geophysics

EarthByte Group

Biography

I am a Research Fellow in the EarthByte Group within the School of Geosciences at The University of Sydney. I am an expert in fusing Earth evolution models with data to understand the occurance of enigmatic volcanoes. 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 the response of groundwater flow pathways to tectonic forces.

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.

Interests
  • Enigmatic volcanoes
  • Groundwater flow
  • Critical minerals and green energy
  • General health of the planet
Education
  • PhD in Earth Science, 2016

    The University of Melbourne

  • Bachelor of Science (Hons), 2011

    Monash University

  • Diploma of Film and Television, 2010

    Monash University

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
The University of Sydney
Research Fellow
Nov 2020 – Present Sydney, Australia

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
 
 
 
 
 
Sydney Informatics Hub
Computational Geophysicist
Nov 2018 – Oct 2020 Sydney, Australia

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.
 
 
 
 
 
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Jun 2017 – Oct 2018 Dublin, Ireland

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.
 
 
 
 
 
The University of Melbourne
Research assistant
Jun 2017 – Oct 2018 Melbourne, Australia

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.

Recent & Upcoming Talks

Unravelling the origins of volcanism along Eastern Australia and the Tasman Sea
Volcanoes Downunder
Continent-scale groundwater models: constraining flow pathways across eastern Australia
GPlates and pyGPlates workshop

Recent Posts

Recent Publications

Contact