Kathryn Amos

Research Interests

Energy Sedimentology Stratigraphy

Prof Kathryn Amos

Chair of GeoEnergy

School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences

College of Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.

I hold the Chair in GeoEnergy at the University of Adelaide, leading a multi-disciplinary program of research and education activities in subsurface energy resources as we transition to a net zero emissions future. Previous 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 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.

Date Position Institution name
2024 - ongoing Chair in GeoEnergy University of Adelaide
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

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 - -

Date Institution name Country Title
2004 University of East Anglia United Kingdom PhD
1999 Unviersity of East Anglia United Kingdom BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Year Citation
2024 Bunch, M. A., Schacht, U., Amos, K., & Kernen, R. (2024). Key considerations for evaluating Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) potential in five contrasting Australian basins. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 67, 406-420.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6
2024 Kernen, R., Amos, K. J., Anell, I., Evans, S., & Rodriguez-Blanco, L. (2024). The role of salt basins in the race to net zero: a focus on Australian basins and key research topics. Australian Energy Producers Journal, 64(S1), S402-S406.
DOI
2024 Lloyd, J., Collins, A., Blades, M., Gilbert, S., Mulder, J., & Amos, K. (2024). Mid- to Late Neoproterozoic Development and Provenance of the Adelaide Superbasin. Tektonika, 2(2), 85-111.
DOI
2023 Kernen, R., Amos, K., Abu, C., Allen, J., Ahmed, S., Birgenheier, L., . . . Rysak, B. (2023). Creating and promoting gender equity and diversity in professional geological societies: A focus on AAPG. JOURNAL OF GEOETHICS AND SOCIAL GEOSCIENCES, 1(1), 1-31.
DOI
2023 Lloyd, J. C., Preiss, W. V., Collins, A. S., Virgo, G. M., Blades, M. L., Gilbert, S. E., . . . Amos, K. J. (2023). Geochronology and formal stratigraphy of the Sturtian Glaciation in the Adelaide Superbasin. Geological Magazine, 160(7), 1321-1344.
DOI Scopus6 WoS7
2023 Tibby, J., Marshall, J. C., Lobegeiger, J. S., Amos, K. J., Pickering, G., & Myburgh, T. (2023). Sedimentation from landscape clearance-induced soil erosion threatens waterhole persistence in a semi-arid river system, southern Queensland, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 74(12), 1050-1070.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2023 Kernen, R., Amos, K., Abu, C., Allen, J., Ahmed, S., Birgenheier, L., . . . Rysak, B. (2023). Creating and promoting genderequity and diversity in professional geological societies: a focus on AAPG. Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences.
DOI
2022 Mann, S. J., & Amos, K. J. (2022). Sedimentology and geomorphology of Lake Yamma Yamma - A long-lived structurally controlled playa lake of the Lake Eyre Basin, Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 146(1), 1-28.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2022 Lloyd, J. C., Collins, A. S., Blades, M. L., Gilbert, S. E., & Amos, K. J. (2022). Early Evolution of the Adelaide Superbasin. Geosciences, 12(4), 154-1-154-28.
DOI Scopus18 WoS18
2021 Virgo, G. M., Collins, A. S., Amos, K. J., Farkaš, J., Blades, M. L., & Subarkah, D. (2021). Descending into the “snowball”: High resolution sedimentological and geochemical analysis across the Tonian to Cryogenian boundary in South Australia. Precambrian Research, 367, 106449-1-106449-28.
DOI Scopus7 WoS8
2020 Herbert, C. M., Alexander, J., Amos, K. J., & Fielding, C. R. (2020). Unit bar architecture in a highly-variable fluvial discharge regime: Examples from the Burdekin River, Australia. SEDIMENTOLOGY, 67(1), 576-605.
DOI Scopus21 WoS19
2020 Craig, M. J., Baas, J. H., Amos, K. J., Strachan, L. J., Manning, A. J., Paterson, D. M., . . . Baker, M. L. (2020). Biomediation of submarine sediment gravity flow dynamics. Geology, 48(1), 72-76.
DOI Scopus48 WoS33
2020 Alexander, J., Herbert, C. M., Fielding, C. R., & Amos, K. J. (2020). Controls on channel deposits of highly variable rivers: Comparing hydrology and event deposits in the Burdekin River, Australia. Sedimentology, 67(5), 26 pages.
DOI Scopus12 WoS13
2020 Lloyd, J. C., Blades, M. L., Counts, J. W., Collins, A. S., Amos, K. J., Wade, B. P., . . . Drabsch, M. (2020). Neoproterozoic geochronology and provenance of the Adelaide Superbasin. Precambrian Research, 350, 105849-1-105849-29.
DOI Scopus56 WoS56
2019 Counts, J. W., Dalgarno, C. R., Amos, K. J., & Hasiotis, S. T. (2019). Lateral facies variability along the margin of an outcropping salt-withdrawal minibasin, South Australia. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 89(1), 28-45.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8
2018 Morón, S., & Amos, K. (2018). Downstream grain-size changes associated with a transition from single channel to anabranching. Sedimentology, 65(5), 1590-1610.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2017 Morón Polanco, S., Amos, K., Edmonds, D., Payenberg, T., Sun, X., & Thyer, M. (2017). Avulsion triggering by El Niño−Southern Oscillation and tectonic forcing: the case of the tropical Magdalena River, Colombia. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 129(9/10), 1300-1313.
DOI Scopus14 WoS12
2017 Morón, S., Edmonds, D., & Amos, K. (2017). The role of floodplain width and alluvial bar growth as a precursor for the formation of anabranching rivers. Geomorphology, 278, 78-90.
DOI Scopus17 WoS12
2016 Counts, J. W., Rarity, F., Ainsworth, R. B., Amos, K. J., Lane, T., Moron Polanco, S., . . . Nanson, R. (2016). Sedimentological interpretation of an Ediacaran delta: Bonney Sandstone, South Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 63(3), 257-273.
DOI Scopus16 WoS16
2016 Counts, J., & Amos, K. (2016). Sedimentology, depositional environments and significance of an Ediacaran salt-withdrawal minibasin, Billy Springs Formation, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Sedimentology, 63(5), 1084-1123.
DOI Scopus16 WoS11
2014 Amos, K. J., Moron, S., & Mann, S. (2014). Fluvial reservoirs in dryland endorheic basins: the Lake Eyre basin as a world class modern analogue. Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) Journal, 119-134.
2012 Amos, K., & McGowan, U. (2012). Integrating academic reading and writing skills development with core content in science and engineering. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, Spec. Ed., 1-24.
2012 Amos, K., Goodwin, C., & Soria Jauregui, A. (2012). Incised valleys in marginal-lacustrine depositional environments: A new reservoir analogue from Lake Eyre, Central Australia. APPEA Journal, 2012, 513-524.
2012 Ainsworth, R., Hasiotis, S., Amos, K., Krapf, C., Payenberg, T., Sandstrom, M., . . . Lang, S. (2012). Tidal signatures in an intracratonic playa lake. Geology, 40(7), 607-610.
DOI Scopus37 WoS33
2011 Croke, J., Jansen, J., Amos, K., & Pietsch, T. (2011). A 100 ka record of fluvial activity in the Fitzroy River Basin, tropical northeastern Australia. Quaternary Science Reviews, 30(13-14), 1681-1695.
DOI Scopus38 WoS38
2010 Amos, K., Peakall, J., Bradbury, P., Roberts, M., Keevil, G., & Gupta, S. (2010). The influence of bend amplitude and planform morphology on flow and sedimentation in submarine channels. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 27(7), 1431-1447.
DOI Scopus61 WoS55
2009 Amos, K., Croke, J., Timmers, H., Owens, P., & Thompson, C. (2009). The application of caesium-137 measurements to investigate floodplain deposition in a large semi-arid catchment in Queensland, Australia: a low-fallout environment. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 34(4), 515-529.
DOI Scopus24 WoS20
2009 Fitzsimmons, K., Magee, J., & Amos, K. (2009). Characterisation of aeolian sediments from the Strzelecki and Tirari Deserts, Australia: Implications for reconstructing palaeoenvironmental conditions. Sedimentary Geology, 218(1-4), 61-73.
DOI Scopus57 WoS46
2008 Corney, R., Peakall, J., Parsons, D., Elliott, L., Best, J., Thomas, R., . . . Amos, K. (2008). Reply to discussion of Imran et al. on "The orientation of helical flow in curved channels" by Corney et al., Sedimentology, 53, 249–257. Sedimentology, 55(1), 241-247.
DOI Scopus28 WoS28
2008 Amos, K., Croke, J., Hughes, A., Chapman, J., Takken, I., & Lymburner, L. (2008). A catchment-scale assessment of anabranching in the 143 000 km2 Fitzroy River catchment, northeastern Australia. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 33(8), 1222-1241.
DOI Scopus20 WoS17
2007 Peakall, J., Amos, K., Keevil, G., Bradbury, P., & Gupta, S. (2007). Flow processes and sedimentation in submarine channel bends. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 24(6-9), 470-486.
DOI Scopus130 WoS114
2006 Keevil, G., Peakall, J., Best, J., & Amos, K. (2006). Flow structure in sinuous submarine channels: Velocity and turbulence structure of an experimental submarine channel. Marine Geology, 229(3-4), 241-257.
DOI Scopus132 WoS121
2006 Corney, R., Peakall, J., Parsons, D., Elliott, L., Amos, K., Best, J., . . . Ingham, D. (2006). The orientation of helical flow in curved channels. Sedimentology, 53(2), 249-257.
DOI Scopus104 WoS94
2006 Amos, K., & Peakall, J. (2006). Down by the river. Planet Earth, (Winter), 26-27.
2004 Amos, K., Alexander, J., Horn, A., Pocock, G., & Fielding, C. (2004). Supply limited sediment transport in a high-discharge event of the tropical Burdekin River, North Queensland, Australia. Sedimentology, 51(1), 145-162.
DOI Scopus73 WoS72
2004 Amos, K. J., Alexander, J., Horn, A., Pocock, G. D., & Fielding, C. R. (2004). Supply limited sediment transport in a high-discharge event of the tropical Burdekin River, North Queensland, Australia (vol 51, pg 145, 2004). SEDIMENTOLOGY, 51(4), 899-900.
DOI
- Virgo, G. M., Collins, A. S., Blades, M. L., & Amos, K. J. (2023). Tectonic, eustatic and climate controls on facies architecture during the transition to the Neoproterozoic icehouse in the Adelaide Superbasin, Australia. Sedimentologika, 1(1).
DOI

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.

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.

Year Citation
- Tibby, J., Marshall, J., Lobegeiger, J., Amos, K., Pickering, G., & Myburgh, T. (n.d.). Dataset for:    Tibby J, Marshall JC, Lobegeiger J, Amos K, Pickering G, Myburgh T (Accepted (25/5/2023)) Sedimentation from landscape clearance induced soil erosion threatens waterhole persistence in a semi-arid river system, southern Queensland, Australia. <em>Marine and Freshwater Research</em>.    https://doi.org/10.1071/MF23016.
DOI

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:  Earth, Climate and Life Systems (first year), Sedimentary Geology (second year), Energy Resources (third year).

 

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Co-Supervisor Tracking 600,000 years of flooding and aridification in Australia’s deserts Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alexander Kim Rahmann
2025 Co-Supervisor Unlocking Australia's Hydrogen Industry Through Geological Storage in Salt Caverns Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Obinna Chukwuemeka Ugwu
2025 Co-Supervisor Unlocking Australia's Hydrogen Industry Through Geological Storage in Salt Caverns Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Obinna Chukwuemeka Ugwu
2025 Co-Supervisor Tracking 600,000 years of flooding and aridification in Australias deserts Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alexander Kim Rahmann

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

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 -

Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
2013 - ongoing - - - -

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 -

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