Stuart Egan

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Biography

I first came to Keele in 1981 as an undergraduate student studying Geography and Geology. The Dual Honours system at Keele provided an ideal opportunity to develop my interests in both of these geoscience subjects. In 1985, I progressed to a PhD entitled ‘Rheological, Thermal and Isostatic Constraints on Continental Lithosphere Extension and Compression’ supervised by Professor Nick Kusznir at the University of Liverpool.

It was through this project that I developed research interests in the numerical and computer modelling of geological processes; a theme that dominates my research activities to the present day. After a brief spell in the IT industry, I was appointed as a lecturer in Geology at Keele in 1989 and since then have taught a broad range of class and field- based geoscience courses from Foundation Year to Masters level.

Research and scholarship

My main research area is the numerical and computer modelling of continental lithosphere extension and shortening, with emphasis on investigating the mechanisms that cause subsidence and uplift in sedimentary basin and mountain belt settings. This research area enables me to combine interests in geology and computing, and, at the same time, it has provided travel opportunities to many parts of the world in order to carry out field work.

I have developed two- and three-dimensional numerical models, which include a number of geological and geodynamic processes, in order to simulate the evolution of mountain belts and basin structures within a variety of tectonic regimes. These modelling techniques, combined with study of subsurface and field data, have provided new insights into the mechanisms that have contributed to the geological evolution of a number of case studies within the geological record, including the northern North Sea, the Laramide Province (Wyoming, western USA), the Black Sea and South Caspian Basin.

I am a member of the Basin Dynamics Research Group and I am a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and hold both Chartered Geologist and European Geologist status.

Teaching

Year 1:

ESC-10034: Geology: Time and Space
ESC-10045: Introductory Geology for Environmental Scientists
ESC-10047: Geoscience Data Interpretation, Analysis and Visualisation (Module Coordinator)
ESC-10048: The Earth System (Module Coordinator)

Year 2:

ESC-20036: Palaeoclimatology and Quaternary Studies (Module Coordinator)
ESC-20039: Advanced Structural Geology and Geological Mapping Training

Year 3:

ESC-30008: Structure and Geodynamics (Module Coordinator)
ESC-30039: Independent Field Project
ESC-30028: Economic Geology
ESC-30032: Geoscience Independent Field Project

Year 4 (MGeoscience):

ESC-40003: Literature Synthesis and Presentation Skills (Module Coordinator)
ESC-40004/5/6: MGeoscience Research Project

Selected Publications

Brown CS, Cassidy NJ, Egan SS, Griffiths D. 2021. Numerical modelling of deep coaxial borehole heat exchangers in the Cheshire Basin, UK. COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES, Article ARTN 104752, vol. 152. link> doi> full text>
Howell L, Brown CS, Egan SS. 2021. Deep geothermal energy in northern England: Insights from 3D finite difference temperature modelling. COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES, Article ARTN 104661, vol. 147. link> doi> full text>
Howell L, Besly B, Sooriyathasan S, Egan S, Leslie G. 2021. Seismic and borehole-based mapping of the late Carboniferous succession in the Canonbie Coalfield, SW Scotland: evidence for a 'broken' Variscan foreland?. SCOTTISH JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY, Article ARTN sjg2020-007, vol. 57(1). link> doi> full text>
Howell L, Egan S, Leslie G, Clarke S, Mitten A, Pringle J. 2020. The influence of low-density granite bodies on extensional basins. Geology Today, 22-26, vol. 36(1). doi> link> full text>
Howell L, Egan SS, Leslie G, Clarke S. Structural and geodynamic modelling of the influence of granite bodies during lithospheric extension: application to the Carboniferous basins of northern England. Tectonophysics. doi> full text>

Full Publications Listshow

Journal Articles

Brown CS, Cassidy NJ, Egan SS, Griffiths D. 2021. Numerical modelling of deep coaxial borehole heat exchangers in the Cheshire Basin, UK. COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES, Article ARTN 104752, vol. 152. link> doi> full text>
Howell L, Brown CS, Egan SS. 2021. Deep geothermal energy in northern England: Insights from 3D finite difference temperature modelling. COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES, Article ARTN 104661, vol. 147. link> doi> full text>
Howell L, Besly B, Sooriyathasan S, Egan S, Leslie G. 2021. Seismic and borehole-based mapping of the late Carboniferous succession in the Canonbie Coalfield, SW Scotland: evidence for a 'broken' Variscan foreland?. SCOTTISH JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY, Article ARTN sjg2020-007, vol. 57(1). link> doi> full text>
Howell L, Egan S, Leslie G, Clarke S, Mitten A, Pringle J. 2020. The influence of low-density granite bodies on extensional basins. Geology Today, 22-26, vol. 36(1). doi> link> full text>
Howell L, Egan SS, Leslie G, Clarke S. Structural and geodynamic modelling of the influence of granite bodies during lithospheric extension: application to the Carboniferous basins of northern England. Tectonophysics. doi> full text>
Rogers S, Egan S, Stimpson IG. 2018. Tracking Sustainability Concepts in Geology and Earth Science Teaching and Learning, Keele, University, UK. The Journal of Academic Development and Education.
Rogers SL, Egan SS, Stimpson IG. Tracking Sustainability Concepts in Geology and Earth Science Teaching and Learning, Keele University, UK. The Journal of Academic Development and Education (JADE). full text>
Moseley DB, Pringle JK, Haslam RB, Egan SS, Rogers SL, Gertisser R, Cassidy NJ, Stimpson I. 2015. Geophysical surveys to help map buried igneous intrusions, Snowdonia, North Wales, UK. Geology Today, 109-115, vol. 31(3). doi> link> full text>
Meredith DJ & Egan SS. 2002. The geological and geodynamic evolution of the eastern Black Sea basin: insights from 2-D and 3-D tectonic modelling. Tectonophysics, 157-179, vol. 350(2). doi>
Egan SS, Kane S, Buddin TS, Williams GD, Hodgetts D. 1999. Computer modelling and visualisation of the structural deformation caused by movement along geological faults. COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES, 283-297, vol. 25(3). link> doi>
Hodgetts D, Egan SS, Williams GD. 1998. Flexural modelling of continental lithosphere deformation: a comparison of 2D and 3D techniques. TECTONOPHYSICS, 1-20, vol. 294(1-2). link> doi>
Buddin TS, Kane SJ, Williams GD, Egan SS. 1997. A sensitivity analysis of 3-dimensional restoration techniques using vertical and inclined shear constructions. TECTONOPHYSICS, 33-50, vol. 269(1-2). link> doi>
EGAN SS and URQUHART JM. 1993. NUMERICAL MODELING OF LITHOSPHERE SHORTENING - APPLICATION TO THE LARAMIDE OROGENIC PROVINCE, WESTERN USA. TECTONOPHYSICS, 385-411, vol. 221(3-4). link> doi>
KARNER GD, EGAN SS, WEISSEL JK. 1992. MODELING THE TECTONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE TUCANO AND SERGIPE-ALAGOAS RIFT BASINS, BRAZIL. TECTONOPHYSICS, 133-160, vol. 215(1-2). link> doi>
EGAN SS. 1992. THE FLEXURAL ISOSTATIC RESPONSE OF THE LITHOSPHERE TO EXTENSIONAL TECTONICS. TECTONOPHYSICS, 291-308, vol. 202(2-4). link> doi>
EGAN SS and KUSZNIR NJ. 1988. THE FORMATION OF THE JEAN DARC BASIN - GRAND-BANKS - A NUMERICAL STUDY. GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL-OXFORD, 546, vol. 92(3). link>

Chapters

Egan SS, Mosar J, Brunet M-F, Kangarli T. 2009. Subsidence and Uplift Mechanisms Within The South Caspian Basin: Insights From The Onshore And Offshore Azerbaijan Region. In South Caspian to Central Iran Basins. Brunet M-F, Wilmsen M, Granath JW (Eds.). (vol. 312). The Geological Society. doi>
Egan SS and Meredith DJ. 2007. A kinematic modelling approach to lithosphere deformation and basin formation: application to the Black Sea. In Imaging, Mapping and Modelling Continental Lithosphere Extension and Breakup. Karner GD, Manatschal G, Pinheiro LM (Eds.). (vol. 282). The Geological Society.
Clarke SM, Burley SD, Williams GD, Richards AJ, Meredith D, Egan SS. 2006. Integrated 4D modelling of sedimentary basin architecture and hydrocarbon migration. In Analogue and numerical modelling of crustal scale processes. Butler SJH and Schreurs G (Eds.). (vol. 253). doi>
Kusznir NJ, Marsden G, Egan SS. 1991. A flexural cantilever simple-shear/pure-shear model of continental lithosphere extension: application to the Jeanne d'Arc basin, Grand Banks and Viking Graben, North Sea. In The Geometry of Normal Faults. Yielding AM and Freeman B (Eds.). (vol. 56).
Shelton AW and Egan SS. 1991. The obduction of the northern Oman ophiolite - crustal loading and flexure. In Ophiolite Genesis and Evolution of Oceanic Lithosphere. Peters TJ, Nicolas A, Coleman RG (Eds.).
Egan SS. 1991. The rheological strength of the lithosphere following extensional and compressional tectonics. In Computer Modelling in the Environmental Sciences. Farmer DG and Rycroft MJ (Eds.). Oxford University Press.
Kusznir NJ and Egan SS. 1989. Simple-Shear and Pure-Shear Models of Extensional Sedimentary Basin Formation: Application to the Jeanne D'Arc Basin, Grand Banks of Newfoundland. In Sedimentary Basins and Basin Forming Mechanisms. Tankard AJ and Balkwill HR (Eds.). (vol. 46).
Kusznir NJ, Karner GD, Egan SS. 1987. Geometric, thermal, and isostatic consequences of detachments in continental lithosphere extension and basin formation. In Sedimentary Basins and Basin Forming Mechanisms. Beaumont C and Tankard AJ (Eds.). (vol. 12).

Other

Brown C, Cassidy N, Egan SS, Griffiths D. Modelling low-enthalpy deep geothermal reservoirs in the Cheshire Basin,UK as a future renewable energy source. Geophysical Research Abstracts, V. 21, EGU2019-5078. full text>
Brown C, Cassidy N, Egan SS, Griffiths D. Modelling low-enthalpy deep geothermal reservoirs in the Cheshire Basin,UK as a future renewable energy source. Geophysical Research Abstracts, V. 21, EGU2019-5078. full text>
Howell L, Egan SS, Brown C, Leslie G, Clarke S. The influence of granite bodies on extensional basins: insights from structural, geodynamic and thermal modelling. Geophysical Research Abstracts, V. 21, EGU2019-7863. full text>
Howell L, Egan SS, Brown C, Leslie G, Clarke S. The influence of granite bodies on extensional basins: insights from structural, geodynamic and thermal modelling. Geophysical Research Abstracts, V. 21, EGU2019-7863. full text>
Brown C, Cassidy N, Egan S, Griffiths D. Evaluating the Response of Geothermal Reservoirs in the Cheshire Basin: A Parameter Sensitivity Analysis.
Brown C, Cassidy N, Egan S, Griffiths D. Evaluating the Response of Geothermal Reservoirs in the Cheshire Basin: A Parameter Sensitivity Analysis.
Al-Madhachi L, Clarke SM, Egan SS. Quantitative Subsidence Analysis of the Southeast of the Mesopotamian Basin, Southeastern Iraq: Implications for Basin Evolution Since the Middle Jurassic Period. AAPG. full text>
Al-Madhachi L, Clarke SM, Egan SS. Quantitative Subsidence Analysis of the Southeast of the Mesopotamian Basin, Southeastern Iraq: Implications for Basin Evolution Since the Middle Jurassic Period. AAPG. full text>
Howell L, Egan SS, Leslie G, Clarke SM. Structural and Geodynamic Modeling of the Influence of Granite Bodies During Lithospheric Extension: Application to the Carboniferous Basins of Northern England. AAPG. full text>
Howell L, Egan SS, Leslie G, Clarke SM. Structural and Geodynamic Modeling of the Influence of Granite Bodies During Lithospheric Extension: Application to the Carboniferous Basins of Northern England. AAPG. full text>
Jones S, Clarke S, Stricker S, Imber J, Henderson J, Egan SS. Controls on Sedimentary Fill in Salt-Walled Mini-Basins of the Triassic and Jurassic, Melville Basin, Western Approaches, United Kingdom. full text>
Jones S, Clarke S, Stricker S, Imber J, Henderson J, Egan SS. Controls on Sedimentary Fill in Salt-Walled Mini-Basins of the Triassic and Jurassic, Melville Basin, Western Approaches, United Kingdom. full text>
Imber J, Clarke SM, Egan SS, Daniels S, England R, Henderson R, Holdsworth B, Jones S, Lee J, McCaffrey K, Moore J, Selby D, Stricker S. The Influence of “Cimmerian” Exhumation on the Hydrocarbon Potential of the Southwest Approaches, Offshore NW Europe. full text>
Imber J, Clarke SM, Egan SS, Daniels S, England R, Henderson R, Holdsworth B, Jones S, Lee J, McCaffrey K, Moore J, Selby D, Stricker S. The Influence of “Cimmerian” Exhumation on the Hydrocarbon Potential of the Southwest Approaches, Offshore NW Europe. full text>
Mosar J, Kangarli T, Bochud M, Brunet M-F, Egan SS. 2007. Evolution of the Eastern Greater Caucasus: Proxy for the South Caspian Basin?. Geophysical Research Abstracts.
Egan SS, Mosar J, Brunet M-F, Kangarli T. 2007. Subsidence and uplift mechanisms within the South Caspian Basin: Insights from the onshore and offshore Azerbaijan region.
Mosar J, Kangarli T, Bochud M, Brunet M-F, Egan SS, Sosson M. 2007. Tectonics of the Greater Caucasus (Azerbaijan): A proxy to the North South Caspian basin.
Egan SS, Mosar J, Brunet M-F, Bochud M, Kangarli T, Mountney NP. 2006. Subsidence mechanisms within the South Caspian Basin (N° 02-09): Year 3 Report.
Mosar J, Kangarli T, Bochud M, Brunet M-F, Egan SS, Mountney NP. 2006. The Eastern Greater Caucasus – A repeatedly inverted passive margin. Geophysical Research Abstracts.
Egan SS, Mosar J, Brunet M-F, Bochud M, Kangarli T. 2004. Subsidence mechanisms within the South Caspian Basin (N° 02-09): Year 2 Report.
SS MDE. 2003. 2-D and 3-D geodynamic modelling - applications to the Eastern Black Sea (kinematic, thermal and rheological). Geophysical Research Abstracts..
Egan SS & Meredith DJ. 2003. A comparison contrast of the geological and geodynamic evolution of the Black and Caspian Seas from Mesozoic to recent. Geophysical Research Abstracts..
Egan SS, Brunet M-F, Mosar J. 2003. Subsidence mechanisms within the South Caspian Basin (N° 02-09): Year 1 Report.
Meredith D & Egan SS. 2001. 2-D and 3-D geodynamic modelling - application to the eastern Black Sea. Fourth International Turkish Geology Symposium Abstracts..
Meredith, DJ & Egan, SS. 2001. Numerical modeling of the subsidencemechanisms controlling the evolution of the Black and Caspian Seas. Journal of Conference Abstracts, Volume 6..
Kelling G, Egan SS, Gurbuz K, Safak U & Unlugenc UC. 2001. Oligo-Miocene basins of south-central Turkey: synthesis and appraisal. Fourth International Turkish Geology Symposium (ITGS, IV, Abstracts)..
Egan SS & Meredith D. 2001. The geological and geodynamic evolution of the Turkish and central regions of the Black Sea basin. Fourth International Turkish Geology Symposium, Abstracts..
Ghail RC and Egan SS. 2000. A Numerical Orogenic Model of South-East Thetis Region. Proceedings of the Lunar Planetary Science Conference (p. 1594, vol. 31).
Ghail RC and Egan SS. 2000. A Numerical Rift Model of Diana Chasma. Proceedings of the Lunar Planetary Science Conference (p. 1584, vol. 31).
Robb NA, Egan SS, Williams GD. 1998. Integrated structural, sequence stratigraphic and geodynamic modelling of the western Black Sea: Early Mesozoic to Recent. Geo-Eco-Marina.
Robb NA, Egan SS, Williams GD. 1998. Structural, sequence stratigraphic and geodynamic modelling of the western Black Sea: Early Mesozoic to Recent.
Richards AJ, Williams GD, Egan SS. 1998. Three dimensional stratigraphic and burial history modelling.
Egan SS, Buddin TS, Hodgetts D, Kane SJ, Richards A, Williams GD. 1997. New Techniques for the 3-D Modelling of Structural and Isostatic Processes Occurring During Continental Tectonics. Terra Nova.
Richards A and Williams GD. 1997. Numerical modelling of burial history in three dimensions. Terra Nova.
Egan SS, Buddin TS, Kane SJ, Williams GD. 1997. Three-Dimensional Modelling And Visualisation In Structural Geology: New Techniques For The Restoration And Balancing Of Volumes. Proceedings of the 1996 Geoscience Information Group Conference on Geological Visualisation - the intelligent picture? (pp. 67-82, vol. 1). Electronic Geology.
Egan SS, Hodgetts D, Williams GD. 1996. Integrated structural and geodynamic modelling of the Ninian fault block, northern North Sea.
Egan SS. 1995. An integrated structural, metamorphic and geodynamic model of orogenic collapse. TERRA Nova.
Egan SS. 1994. The causes of orogenic collapse: the role of phase changes and lithosphere flexure. The JAG Newsletter.
Hodgetts D, Egan SS, Williams GD. 1994. Three dimensional modelling of flexural isostatic adjustments and associated gravity anomalies in response to crustal fault movements. The JAG Newsletter.
Egan SS. 1992. The role of flexural isostasy in extensional sedimentary basin formation. The Petroleum Science and Technology Institute.
Egan SS and Urquhart JM. 1991. Numerical modelling of lithosphere shortening: Application to Laramide Orogenic Province, Western USA. Geophysical Journal International.
Egan SS. 1990. The rheological strength of the lithosphere following compressional tectonics. Geophysical Journal International.
Kusznir NJ and Egan SS. 1989. Determination of flexural rigidity and fault geometry during extensional basin formation. Journal of the Royal Atronomical Society.
Egan SS and Kusznir NJ. 1989. Thermo-rheological implications of simple shear-pure shear lithosphere extension. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Atronomical Society.
Kusznir NJ, Marsden G, Egan SS. 1988. Fault Block Rotation During Continental Lithosphere Extension: A Flexural Cantilever Model. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Atronomical Society.
Egan SS and Kusznir NJ. 1988. The Formation of the Jeanne D'Arc Basin - Grand Banks: A Numerical Study. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Atronomical Society.
Kusznir NJ and Egan SS. 1987. Numerical models of continental extension using low angle faults and detachments. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Atronomical Society.

PGR/PGT Students

Current PhD students

L. Al-Madhachi. PhD Thesis title: The Cretaceous reservoir evolution of the south east Mesopotamian Basin, south-eastern: Geological Modelling evaluation.
Stuart Campbell. PhD Title: Unconventional and geothermal energy resources within the Main Karoo Basin, South Africa
Louis Howell. PhD Thesis title: Structural, stratigraphic and geodynamic controls on the evolution of the Carboniferous succession of northern England and southern Scotland.

Past PhD students

Linda Austin. 2014. The geological and geodynamic evolution of the Northumberland Trough Region: insights from numerical modelling. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Keele University.
Rose Smithells. 2014. A comparison of the geological, geodynamic and rheological evolution of the northern and southern Rockall Trough : a numerical modelling approach. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Keele University.

PGT Students

Liam Hartley. 2017. Using LiDAR data for geological mapping and outcrop analysis: application to the Watchet area, SW England. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.
Rob Stewart. 2016. 2D structural, isostatic, thermal and stratigraphic modelling of lithosphere extension: insights into the mechanisms controlling basin subsidence/uplift and magma generation. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.
Ross Field. 2015. Numerical modelling of lithosphere extension: Its application to the North-East Atlantic Region. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.