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BSc in Geology, Queens University Belfast
PhD in Earth Sciences, University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡

Dr Stevenson was born in Northern Ireland and studied geology in Belfast before moving to Birmingham to study for PhD on granite emplacement. He was appointed lecturer in Geology at Birmingham in 2007.

2007-current Lecturer in Geology, GEES, University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡
2005-2007 Teaching fellow in Earth Sciences, University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡
2001-2005 PhD Earth Sciences (Birmingham) 
1998-2001 BSc Geology (Belfast)

Dr Stevenson teaches structural geology, geological mapping, field geology and ore geology. He has also been involved in integrating digital technologies into teaching and is part of an international initiative developed by Midland Valley Exploration, Glasgow (www.mve.com). Involving 14 geoscience departments and schools in universities from the UK, USA, Netherlands, Italy and Australia, the initiative aims to enhance 3D visualisation, interpretation and geological mapping in geoscience undergraduates.

Continental Deformation (Semester 1) 

Field Skills II (Semester 1) 

Deformation processes and maps (geological map interpretation, Semester 2) 

Research methods and project planning for geological mapping project (Semester 2) 

Geological Mapping project (coordinator)

Contribution to:

• Topics in Geology (essay) 
• Advances in Earth Sciences (essay) 
• Mapping supervision (Ireland and Spain) 
• Field Skills I 
• Mineral deposits: formation, environmental impact and restoration 
• Advanced projects

Field courses: 

• Assynt 
• Bude
• Pembrokeshire

Carl Stevenson’s principal research uses rock magnetic techniques to measure very weak or subtle mineral alignment fabrics in igneous rocks. He is a specialist in anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis. This technique can be employed in a number of different settings and Dr Stevenson uses it to detect ‘frozen in’ evidence for magma flow in igneous intrusions from granite plutons to dykes and sills that form the roots of deeply eroded ancient volcanoes. This data can then be used to test theories about how magma travels through the crust and how large igneous intrusions (or fossil magma chambers) are constructed, essentially assessing the volcano plumbing. Dr Stevenson is developing the application of AMS to study the fabrics of glacial sediments. If the sediment and till are frozen to the base of the glacier they will deform much less than if they are not frozen and behave like soft mud. AMS provides a wealth of information including the direction of ice flow and the conditions at the base of the glacier. Dr Stevenson welcomes enquiries from prospective doctoral researchers in his areas of interest.

Dr Carl Stevenson is a structural geologist with a focus on the emplacement and subsurface distribution of geological materials from magma to sediment to salt. His research uses rock magnetism, geophysics and petrology to determine the large-scale geometry and internal architecture of intrusions and has led to breakthroughs in understanding magma transport and accommodation in the Earth’s crust.

Admin responsibilities

Geology Programme Leader
Deputy Chair Earth Sciences student-staff committee
Geosystems representative on School Web advisory committee

Other activity

Associate editor, Journal of the Geological Society London
Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group committee
Mineralogical Society Birmingham rep

Affiliations

Geological Society London (Fellow)
American Geophysical Union