Professor Peter Styles

Title: Professor in Applied and Environmental Geophysics
Phone: (+44) 01782 7 34116
Email:
Location: William Smith Building : WS 1.04
Role:
Contacting me:
Styles_Peter

As a boy growing up in a fishing and coal mining village in coastal Northumberland I was always fascinated by all aspects of science: astronomy, marine biology, geology but was also always sure that I wanted to be a Nuclear Physicist! I read Physics at Wadham College, Oxford graduating in 1972. However, Plate Tectonics had just been invented and I decided that this was the subject for me and studied for a PhD in Geophysics at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the rifting of Africa to form the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden which took me on research cruises and also fieldwork in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.

Pete Styles in the field As a Lecturer in Geophysics at Swansea University, I continued my research in East Africa but also became interested in using induced earthquakes to predict catastrophic failures in coal mines, landslide and glacial instability and other aspects of Environmental Geophysics especially microgravity. I moved to Earth Sciences at the University of Liverpool in 1988 where my plate tectonics research moved to remote Chilean Patagonia, investigating the subduction of the Chile Rise beneath the Taitao Peninsula with colleagues from Liverpool and venturers from Operation Raleigh using seismology, gravity and heat flow.

The mining and environmental research also prospered and I spent a sabbatical with CSIRO Division of Geomechanics in Brisbane, Australia studying stress imaging using microseismology and microgravity for the detection of abandoned gold workings at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and cave systems in the Middle East and the Bahamas. I moved to Keele as Professor of Geophysics in 2000 to head up the Applied and Environmental Geophysics group and my research is principally in renewable energy and environmental problems rather than tectonics.

I give a lot of invited external lectures (10 in the last year) and I was both proud and amazed to be elected President of the Geological Society of London from 2004 to 2006. As my hair has vanished and my beard greyed I have been asked to chair and serve on a number of Government Committees including the Board of BGS, Chair of the DEFRA/DTI Criteria Proposals Group (CPG) Sub-Surface Exclusion Criteria for Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste and a member of the Geosphere Characterisation Panel of the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency.

I am a member of the Research Institute for the Environment, Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics (EPSAM).

Selected Publications

  • Pringle JK, Stimpson IG, Toon SM, Caunt S, Lane VS, Husband CR, Jones GM, Cassidy NJ, Styles P. 2008. Geophysical characterization of derelict coalmine workings and mineshaft detection: a case study from Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. NEAR SURF GEOPHYS, vol. 6(3), 185-194.
  • Branston MW and Styles P. 2006. Site characterization and assessment using the microgravity technique: a case history. NEAR SURF GEOPHYS, vol. 4(6), 377-385.
  • STYLES P, England R, Stimpson I, Toon S. 2005. Microseismic and Infrasound Monitoring of Low Frequency Noise and Vibrations from Windfarms: Recommendations on the siting of windfarms in the vicinity of Eskdalemuir, Scotland. link>
  • Stuart G, Murray T, Brisbourne A, Styles P, Toon S. 2005. Seismic emissions from a surging glacier: Bakaninbreen, Svalbard. In J. Dowdeswell & IC. Willis (Eds.). ANNALS OF GLACIOLOGY, VOL 42, 2005 (vol. 42, pp. 151-157). INT GLACIOLOGICAL SOC.
  • STYLES P, Cassidy NJ, McGrath R, Thomas E. 2005. The use of microgravity for cavity characterization in karstic terrains. Quarterly Journal of Eng Geology & Hydrogeology, vol. 38(2), 155-169. doi>

Full Publications List show

Journal Articles

  • Pringle JK, Stimpson IG, Toon SM, Caunt S, Lane VS, Husband CR, Jones GM, Cassidy NJ, Styles P. 2008. Geophysical characterization of derelict coalmine workings and mineshaft detection: a case study from Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. NEAR SURF GEOPHYS, vol. 6(3), 185-194.
  • Branston MW and Styles P. 2006. Site characterization and assessment using the microgravity technique: a case history. NEAR SURF GEOPHYS, vol. 4(6), 377-385.
  • STYLES P, Cassidy NJ, McGrath R, Thomas E. 2005. The use of microgravity for cavity characterization in karstic terrains. Quarterly Journal of Eng Geology & Hydrogeology, vol. 38(2), 155-169. doi>
  • Rushforth I and Moorhouse A & Styles P. 2003. An integrated acoustic/microseismic approach to monitoring low frequency noise & vibration - a case study. Building Acoustics, vol. 10(1), 77-95.
  • Styles P. 2003. Environmental geophysics: a site characterization tool for urban regeneration in the post-mining era. Geology Today., vol. 19(5), 173-178.
  • STYLES P and Branston MW. 2003. The application of time-lapse microgravity for the investigation and monitoring of subsidence at Northwich, Cheshire. Quarterly Journal of Eng Geology & Hydrogeology, vol. 36(3), 231-244. doi>
  • Rushforth I, Moorhouse A, Styles P. 2002. A case study of low frequency noise assessed using DIN 45680 criteria. J LOW FREQ NOISE V A, vol. 21(4), 181-198.
  • McGrath RJ, Styles P, Thomas E & Neale S. 2002. Integrated high-resolution geophysical investigations as potential tools for water resource invesigations in karst terrain. Environmental Geology.
  • Manly D and Styles P & Scott J. 2002. Perceptions of the public of low frequency noise. Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Control, vol. 21(1), 37-44.
  • Styles P. 2002. Roanlad William Girdler 1930-2001, the leading edge. SEG.
  • Styles P. 2002. Ronald William Girdler 1930-2001. Astronomy and Geophysics, vol. 43(1), 35.
  • STYLES P, Daniel AJ, Kusznir NJ. 2001. Thermal and dynamic modeling of deep subduction of a spreading center: implications for the fate of the subducted Chile Rise, Southern Chile. J. Geophys. Res, vol. 106(B3), 4293-4304. doi>
  • Murdie RE, Styles P, Prior DJ, Daniel AJ. 2000. A new gravity map of southern Chile and its preliminary interpretation. REV GEOL CHILE, vol. 27(1), 49-63.
  • Murdie RE, Pugh DT, Styles P. 1999. A lightweight, portable, digital probe for measuring the thermal gradient in shallow water sediments, with examples from Patagonia. GEO-MAR LETT, vol. 18(4), 315-320. full text>
  • Rushforth IM, Styles P, Manley DMJP, Toon SM. 1999. Microseismic investigations of low frequency vibrations and their possible effects on populations. J LOW FREQ NOISE V A, vol. 18(3), 111-121.
  • Roberts AM, Kusznir NJ, Yielding G, Styles P. 1998. 2D flexural backstripping of extensional basins: the need for a sideways glance. PETROL GEOSCI, vol. 4(4), 327-338.
  • Daniel AJ and Styles P. 1997. Topographic accessibility and the tectonic interpretation of gravity data. GEOPHYS PROSPECT, vol. 45(6), 1013-1026.
  • OREILLY W, BROWN K, STYLES P, BLOXAM TW. 1993. A DETAILED GEOCHEMICAL AND ROCK MAGNETIC STUDY OF DREDGED BASALT FROM THE SHEBA RIDGE, GULF OF ADEN. MAR GEOPHYS RES, vol. 15(2), 101-119.
  • BISHOP I, STYLES P, ALLEN M. 1993. MINING-INDUCED SEISMICITY IN THE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COALFIELD. Q J ENG GEOL, vol. 26(4), 253-279.
  • MURDIE RE, PRIOR DJ, STYLES P, FLINT SS, PEARCE RG, AGAR SM. 1993. SEISMIC RESPONSES TO RIDGE-TRANSFORM SUBDUCTION - CHILE TRIPLE JUNCTION. GEOLOGY, vol. 21(12), 1095-1098.
  • FLINT S, PRIOR D, STYLES P, MURDIE R, AGAR S, TURNER P. 1993. UPPER PLATE RESPONSES TO ACTIVE SPREADING RIDGE TRANSFORM SUBDUCTION - THE TECTONICS, BASIN EVOLUTION, AND SEISMICITY OF THE TAITA AREA, CHILE TRIPLE JUNCTION. AAPG BULL, vol. 77(2), 318.
  • ROUSE C, STYLES P, WILSON SA. 1991. MICROSEISMIC EMISSIONS FROM FLOWSLIDE-TYPE MOVEMENTS IN SOUTH WALES. ENG GEOL, vol. 31(1), 91-110.
  • LISLE RJ, STYLES P, FREETH SJ. 1990. FOLD INTERFERENCE STRUCTURES - THE INFLUENCE OF LAYER COMPETENCE CONTRAST. TECTONOPHYSICS, vol. 172(3-4), 197-200.
  • BISHOP I and STYLES P. 1990. SEISMIC TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF A BURIED CONCRETE TARGET. GEOPHYS PROSPECT, vol. 38(2), 169-188.
  • ROBERTS JDM, BELCHAMBER RM, LILLEY T, BETTERIDGE D, BISHOP I, STYLES P. 1989. AN EVALUATION OF COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY FOR NEAR-SURFACE GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION. COMPUT GEOSCI, vol. 15(5), 727-&.
  • WADDAMS M, GIRDLER RW, NEWMAN P, STYLES P. 1986. GULF OF ADEN SEISMIC-REFLECTION PROFILES. GEOPHYS J INT, vol. 85(1), 274.
  • SAHOTA G and STYLES P. 1984. STRUCTURE OF THE GULF OF ADEN FROM GRAVITY-DATA. GEOPHYS J ROY ASTR S, vol. 77(1), 295-296.
  • SAHOTA G and STYLES P. 1983. A TWO-DIMENSIONAL GRAVITY MODEL FOR THE OMAN CONTINENTAL-MARGIN OF THE GULF OF ADEN. GEOPHYS J ROY ASTR S, vol. 73(1), 289.
  • STYLES P. 1983. MICROSEISMIC PRECURSORS TO A SPONTANEOUS OUTBURST IN CYNHEIDRE COLLIERY, DYFED, SOUTH-WALES. GEOPHYS J ROY ASTR S, vol. 73(1), 299.
  • STYLES P and GERDES KD. 1983. ST-JOHNS-ISLAND (RED-SEA) - A NEW GEOPHYSICAL MODEL AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EMPLACEMENT OF ULTRAMAFIC ROCKS IN FRACTURE-ZONES AND AT CONTINENTAL MARGINS. EARTH PLANET SC LETT, vol. 65(2), 353-368.
  • STYLES P and GERDES KD. 1982. GRAVITY AND MAGNETIC STUDIES OF ST-JOHNS ISLAND, RED-SEA. GEOPHYS J ROY ASTR S, vol. 69(1), 285.
  • GIRDLER RW and STYLES P. 1982. THE GULF OF ADEN - STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF A YOUNG OCEAN-BASIN AND CONTINENTAL-MARGIN - COMMENT. J GEOPHYS RES, vol. 87(NB8), 6761-6763.

Chapters

  • Styles P. 2004. Detection of Caves by Microgravity Geophysics,Bahamas. In Sinkholes and Subsidence. Wltham, Bell, Culshaw (Eds.). Springer, Chichester.
  • McGrath RJ, Styles P, Thomas E, Neale S. 2001. Integrated high-resolution geophysical investigations as potential tools for water resource investigations in karst terrain. Beck BF and Herring JG (Eds.). A A BALKEMA PUBLISHERS.
  • Styles P & Thomas E. 2001. The use of microgravity for the characterisation of karstic cavities on Grand Bahama, Bahamas. In Geotechnical and Environmental Application of Karst Geology and Hydrology. Beck B and Herring G (Eds.). Balkema, Netherlands.

Other

  • STYLES P, England R, Stimpson I, Toon S. 2005. Microseismic and Infrasound Monitoring of Low Frequency Noise and Vibrations from Windfarms: Recommendations on the siting of windfarms in the vicinity of Eskdalemuir, Scotland. link>
  • Stuart G, Murray T, Brisbourne A, Styles P, Toon S. 2005. Seismic emissions from a surging glacier: Bakaninbreen, Svalbard. In J. Dowdeswell & IC. Willis (Eds.). ANNALS OF GLACIOLOGY, VOL 42, 2005 (vol. 42, pp. 151-157). INT GLACIOLOGICAL SOC.
  • Styles P and McGrath R & Bate D. 2003. Microgravity techniques for the characterisation of conduit flow in karstic terrains. Geophysical Research Abstracts..
  • Vella G, Rushforth I, Mason E, Hough A, England R, Styles P, Holt T & Thorne P. 2002. Assessment of the effects of noise and vibration from offshore windfarms on marine wildlife.
  • McGrath RJ, Styles P, Thomas E & Neale S. 2002. Integrated high-resolution geophysical explorations as potential tools for water resource investigations in karst terrain. EEGS Proceedings, 7th Meeting.. doi>
  • Styles P, Bishop I, Toon S. 1997. Surface and borehole microseismic monitoring of mining-induced seismicity. In DM. McCann, M. Eddleston, PJ. Fenning & GM. Reeves (Eds.). MODERN GEOPHYSICS IN ENGINEERING GEOLOGY (pp. 315-326). GEOLOGICAL SOC PUBLISHING HOUSE.
  • Bishop I, Styles P, Emsley SJ, Ferguson NS. 1997. The detection of cavities using the microgravity technique: case histories from mining and karstic environments. In DM. McCann, M. Eddleston, PJ. Fenning & GM. Reeves (Eds.). MODERN GEOPHYSICS IN ENGINEERING GEOLOGY (pp. 153-166). GEOLOGICAL SOC PUBLISHING HOUSE.

Year one

  • ESC-10001 : The Solid Earth and Its Materials

Year Two

  • ESC-20031 : Advanced Systematic Geology and Solid earth Geophysics
  • ESC-20012 : Advanced Fieldwork Skills

Year Three

  • ESC-40007 : Spatial Geoscience Data Analysis
  • ESC-30005 : Single Honours Geology Research Projects
  • ESC-30026 : Independent Field Project 

Year 4

  • ESC-40004 :  MGeoscience Project (Supervisor)
  • ESC-40006 :  MGeoscience Project (Supervisor)
  • ESC-40007 :  Spatial Geoscience Data Analysis