Sally Gibson
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About
Research Area
My research explores the dynamic interior of our planet and how deep Earth processes shape the surface environment we live in. Spanning a geological timescale from 3.5 billion years to the present day, my work focuses on mantle and volcanic rocks and the insights they offer into planetary evolution. Our group’s discoveries stem from a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach that combines fieldwork in some of the world’s most remote regions with advanced geochemical analysis, geophysical data, and numerical modelling. This strategy enables us to tackle major scientific questions at the forefront of global geodynamics.
A current research priority is the deep Earth cycling of volatiles—such as CO₂, H₂O, F, Cl, and S—which are vital for maintaining Earth’s habitability and for understanding the formation of metals essential to the global energy transition. In parallel, a new international collaboration with colleagues in the US and Ecuador focuses on the interaction between mantle plumes and mid-ocean ridges, investigating how volcanic activity shapes seafloor topography and affects marine ecosystems.
PhD students in my group gain strong expertise in petrology, geochemistry, and numerical modelling, alongside valuable transferable skills. They are encouraged to present at international conferences and engage with the broader scientific community. Our alumni have gone on to successful careers in academia and environmental consulting.
Project Interests
I am eager to develop research projects that integrate fieldwork, petrology, micro-scale analytical techniques, and numerical modelling to address key gaps in our understanding of volatile cycling—from the deep mantle to Earth’s surface via volcanism—and how mantle composition controls volcanic processes and ultimately critical metal deposits. This work leverages cutting-edge tools, including my LA-ICP-MS laboratory, advanced instrumentation within the Department of Earth Sciences at Cambridge, and national research facilities. PhD students are actively encouraged to present at national and international conferences and to engage in outreach, fostering both scientific impact and broader societal engagement.