Associate Professor Kathryn Amos
Associate Professor
School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
I am an Associate Professor of Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and GeoEnergy at the University of Adelaide. Recent leadership roles include Head of School for the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources (2020-2022) and Associate Dean (Future Students and Student Experience)(2018-2019). My research and teaching expertise is in clastic sedimentology, focusing on understanding the controls behind processes of sediment transport and deposition in a range of environments, based on the study of modern environments and the rock record. A key driver for all of my research is the application of improved understanding about depositional systems to the interpretation of ancient successions, and engagement with government and industry to maximise impact of research and teaching outcomes.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
My key research interests are:
1) The sedimentology and geomorphology of dryland continental and highly variable discharge rivers. Key field localities are: rivers of the Lake Eyre drainage basin in semi-arid central Australia, the Mitchell, Burdekin and Fitzroy Rivers in the humid tropics of north Queensland.
2) Outcrop description and interpretation of siliciclastic depositional processes and environments. Research is focused on outcrops of the Flinders Ranges, northern South Australia, and on core from various Australian basins, spanning deep marine, marginal marine, lacustrine and continental environments.
3) Experimental modelling of turbidity currents.
Recent research projects have included a focus on: sedimentology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, petroleum geology, reservoir and seal analogues, Quaternary climate change, outcrop studies, sequence stratigraphy, facies analysis, geomorphology, sedimentologic fluid dynamics.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2023 - ongoing Associate Professor, School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences University of Adelaide 2022 - 2022 Associate Professor University of Adelaide 2020 - 2022 Head of School University of Adelaide 2018 - 2019 Director, Student Experience University of Adelaide 2015 - 2021 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide 2009 - 2014 Lecturer University of Adelaide 2007 - 2009 Research Fellow University of Adelaide 2005 - 2007 Postdoctoral Research Associate University of New South Wales @ ADFA 2004 - 2005 Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Leeds -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2013 Teaching Award ECMS Prize for Excellence in Teaching Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide - - 2011 Recognition Geological Society of America Exceptional Reviewer Geological Society of America - - -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2004 University of East Anglia United Kingdom PhD 1999 Unviersity of East Anglia United Kingdom BSc (Hons) Environmental Science -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Book Chapters
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2013 Moron Polanco, S., & Amos, K. (2013). Avulsion in anabranching dryland rivers. In 10th International Conference in Fluvial Sedimentology (pp. 0 pages). United Kingdom: University of Brighton. 2012 Futalan, K., Mitchell, A., Amos, K., & Backe, G. (2012). Seismic facies analysis and structural interpretation of the Sandakan Sub-basin, Sulu Sea, Philippines. In Proceedings of AAPG 2012 International Conference and Exhibition (pp. 1-18). Singapore: AAPG. 2010 Backe, G., Giles, D., Baines, G., & Amos, K. (2010). 3D geological modelling of potential geothermal energy reservoirs in the Flinders Ranges, Australia. In Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2010 (pp. 1-5). CD: World Press. 2010 Amos, K. J., Soria, A., & Krapf, C. (2010). The geomorphology of dryland river terminations around Lake Eyre, central Australia. In X. Ubeda, D. Vericat, & R. J. Batalla (Eds.), Avances de la Geomorfologia en Espana, 2008 - 2010 (pp. 189-192). Lerida, Spain. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2017 Craig, M. J., Baas, J., Manning, A., Amos, K., & Strachan, L. (2017). Not just along for the ride – the influence of extracellular polymeric substances on fine-grained sediment gravity flows. Poster session presented at the meeting of Geological Society of London Lyell Meeting. London, United Kingdom. 2017 Craig, M. J., Baas, J., Manning, A., Amos, K., & Strachan, L. (2017). Does Organic Matter Have an Unacknowledged Influence on the Dynamics and Deposits of Fine-Grained Submarine Sediment Gravity Flows?. Poster session presented at the meeting of AAPG ACE. Houston, United States of America. 2016 Craig, M. J., Baas, J., Amos, K., Strachan, L., & Baker, M. (2016). How does organic matter affect the head velocity and run-out distance of
cohesive sediment gravity flows?. Poster session presented at the meeting of EGU General Assembly. Vienna, Austria.2016 Craig, M. J., Baas, J., Amos, K., Strachan, L., & Baker, M. (2016). Experimental analogue study - How does organic matter affect the head velocity and run-out distance of cohesive sediment gravity flows?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Earth Sciences Convention. Adelaide, Australia. 2015 Counts, J., & Amos, K. (2015). A rare insight into the sedimentology and stratigraphy of a salt-withdrawal minibasin : outcrop investigation of the neoproterozoic Billy Springs Formation, South Australia. Poster session presented at the meeting of Search and Discovery. Melbourne, Vic.: AAPG/Datapages. 2015 Counts, J., & Amos, K. (2015). A clastic fluvial-deltaic highstand system from the neoproterozoic of South Australia: an excellent outcrop analog for marginal marine deposits in the subsurface. Poster session presented at the meeting of Search and Discovery. Melbourne,Vic.: AAPG/Datapages. 2014 Nanson, R. A., Lane, T. I., Rarity, G. F., Nyberg, B. B., Amos, K., Vakarelov, B. V., . . . Ishak, N. (2014). The Geometry and Heterolithic Fill of Tide Influenced Channels in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. Poster session presented at the meeting of GeoConventio Focus 2014 - Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. Calgary, Canada.
Summary:
‐ National Competitive Schemes: Co-Investigator for ARC-LIEF project; Lead investigator for two AINSE Awards.
‐ Industry Funded Research: >$700k
‐ University and Faculty funded research and learning and teaching grants >$100k
- Consulting income 2013-2019: $275k
Funded research projects:
2014-2017: Fluvio-lacustrine analogues for the Cuisinier Field, Eromanga Basin. Amos and Mann
2014-2016: Magdalena River research. Amos and Morón
2011-2012: Mitchell Channels and Architecture. Nanson, R., Amos and Ainsworth.
2010: Sonic drilling to provide contamination-free core sampling. PI: Nanson, G (Uni Wollongong) and participants from five institutions.
2010: Amadeus Basin Unconventionals. Backé and Amos.
2008-2010: Lake Eyre Basin Analogues Research Group Phase III. Payenberg, Krapf, Amos
2008-2009: Fine-grained sediment deposition in an ephemeral river. Amos, Krapf, Zawadzki.
BSc Hons (Petroleum Geology and Geophysics):
PETROGEO4010, Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience I - modules in facies analysis, core description and interpretation, depositional environments and their interpretation
PETROGEO4020/4021, Honours Research Project - supervision of Hons students
Masters in Petroleum Geoscience:
PETROGEO7010, Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience I - modules in facies analysis, core description and interpretation, depositional environments and their interpretation
PETROGEO7020, Advanced Petroleum Geoscience I - modules in sedimentology and stratigraphy, field-scale palaeogeographic reconstruction
BEng (Petroleum Engineering):
PETROENG2005, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy for Petroleum Engineers
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Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2018 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Palaeoenvironments of the Tonian to Cryogenian transition in the Adelaide Superbasin Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Georgina Mitford Virgo 2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Geochronology, Provenance, and Tectonic Evolution of the Adelaide Superbasin, South Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Jarred Cain Lloyd 2016 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Controls on the Sedimentology and Paleoenvironmental Evolution of the Permian and Triassic of the Sydney Basin, New South Wales, Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Chen Yu 2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Controls on the Geometry, Stratigraphic Distribution and Quality of Coals of Middle to Upper Jurassic Strata in Eastern Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Carmine Christopher Wainman 2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor A Focus on the Sedimentology of Transgressions in Interior Seaways: Utilising Modern and Outcrop Analogues to Interpret the Subsurface Cretaceous Murta Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sandra Jean Mann 2013 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Sedimentology, Provenance, and Salt-Sediment Interaction in the Ediacaran Pound Subgroup, Flinders Ranges, South Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr John Waldon Counts 2012 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Understanding the Origin and Controls on the Development of Anabranching Rivers Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sara Eugenia Moron Polanco 2010 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Impact Sedimentation of the Tookoonooka and Talundilly Marine Impact Structures, Australia: An Impact Reservoir Generated by Cratering in a Petroleum Basin Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Katherine Bron
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2011 - 2013 Member Faculty Research Advisory Committee Faculty of ECMS, University of Adelaide - 2010 - 2014 Member Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration Management Committee University of Adelaide - 2010 - 2013 Member Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee Faculty of ECMS, University of Adelaide - -
Consulting/Advisories
Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country 2013 - ongoing - - - - -
Offices Held
Date Office Name Institution Country 2016 - ongoing Post-graduate Co-ordinator Australian School of Petroleum, The University of Adelaide - 2013 - 2015 School SGDE and Blended Learning Co-ordinator Australian School of Petroleum, University of Adelaide - 2011 - 2015 Petroleum Geoscience Honours and MSc Degree Programs Co-ordinator University of Adelaide -
Connect With Me
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