Kathryn Amos

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.

Outcrop description and interpretation of depositional processes and environments. My current geological outcrop research, in collaboration with Dr Rachelle Kernen, is focused on improving understanding of salt – sediment interactions, in basins with syn-depositional salt tectonics. This is presently based on investigation of outcrops of the Flinders Ranges in northern South Australia. These outcrops form an outstanding outcrop analogue for similar subsurface successions, thus are of relevance for a wide range of geoenergy applications. The Flinders Ranges successions are also of significance for understanding environmental changes through the snowball earth glaciations, and the environments in which early multicellular life evolved.

The sedimentology and geomorphology of dryland continental and highly variable discharge rivers. Key field localities include: 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.

Over the past ten years, research projects have included a focus on: outcrop sedimentology, stratigraphy and geochronology (Flinders Ranges, Adelaide Superbasin), Quaternary fluvial sedimentology, geomorphology and environmental change (Magdalena River, Colombia: Neales River, Lake Eyre Basin; Burdekin River, northern Australia; Lake Yamma Yamma, Lake Eyre Basin, Moonie River, Murray-Darling Basin), biomediation of experimental submarine sediment gravity flows, gender equity and diversity in professional geological societies, underground hydrogen storage.

My research leadership in the past four years has focused on projects that will improve understanding of and site selection for the geological storage of CO2 and hydrogen, securing a total of over $13 million AUD from industry and government, funding new analytical and experimental equipment, staff positions, and projects.

  • 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
    Energy Sedimentology Stratigraphy

Summary:
Industry and government funding for CO2 and H2 storage research (2020-2024) $13 million
Funded Sedimentology Research Projects (2008-2020): >$700k
University and Faculty funded research and learning and teaching grants >$100k
Consulting income 2013-2019: $277k
National Competitive Schemes: Co-Investigator for ARC-LIEF project (2010); Lead investigator for two AINSE Awards (2005, 2009).

Funded sedimentology 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.

 

 

 

I currently teach into courses within the BSc program, in Geology: Building a Habitable Planet (first year), Sedimentary Geology (second year), Energy Resources (third year).

 

  • 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

  • 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 -
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83134309
  • Email: kathryn.amos@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83134345
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Mawson, floor First Floor
  • Room: 120
  • Org Unit: Earth Sciences
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