Thomas Stachel

Professor, Faculty of Science - Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Admin

Contact

Professor, Faculty of Science - Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Admin
Email
tstachel@ualberta.ca
Phone
(780) 492-0865
Address
1-14 Earth Sciences Building
11223 Saskatchewan Drive NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2E3

Overview

Research

Research area

Diamond Geology

Research interest

Thomas Stachel’s main research area is diamond geology. By studying the chemical and physical properties of diamonds (stable isotope composition, nitrogen contents and aggregation levels) and the geochemistry of their mineral inclusions, he seeks to define the conditions under which diamonds are formed and stored within the Earth’s mantle. Because diamonds form over a large depth interval extending from the deep lithosphere (>140 km depth) into the lower mantle (beneath the 660 km discontinuity), they provide a unique means of obtaining direct information on this otherwise inaccessible region of our planet

Research opportunity

PhD and MSc projects are currently available in the following fields

  • Systematic studies on diamonds and their mineral inclusions from mines in Canada and worldwide
  • The evolution of cratonic roots (the origin of cratonic peridotites, eclogites, and pyroxenites).
  • The mineralogy and geochemistry of the deep mantle (asthenosphere, transition zone and lower mantle)

Courses

EAS 232 - Mineralogy II

Optical techniques in determinative mineralogy with particular emphasis on transmitted-light microscopy and its application to common rock-forming minerals. Mineral associations, textures and elementary ideas on the origin of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Prerequisite: EAS 224. [Faculty of Science]


EAS 461 - Advanced Petrology: Diamond Exploration

Concepts in mantle petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, and diamond research that form the basis of modern exploration strategies for kimberlites and diamonds. Prerequisites: EAS 331 and EAS 332, which may be taken concurrently with permission of the instructor. [Faculty of Science]


EAS 561 - Advanced Petrology: Diamond Exploration

Concepts in mantle petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, and diamond research that form the basis of modern exploration strategies for kimberlites and diamonds. Classes concurrent with EAS 461. [Faculty of Science]


Browse more courses taught by Thomas Stachel

Featured Publications

Hogberg K., Stachel T., Stern R.A.

Lithos. 2016 January; 265


Stachel T., Luth R.W.

Lithos. 2015 January; 220-223


Ickert R.B., Stachel T., Stern R.A., Harris J.W.

Geochemical Perspectives Letters. 2015 January; 1