JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Melanie Finch

About

Dr Melanie Finch is a structural and metamorphic geologist at James Cook University, Australia. She completed her PhD at Monash University in 2016 on the tectono-metamorphic evolution of a hot back arc and its thick shear zones. She was then awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Tuebingen, Germany. Melanie returned to Australia in 2018 in a teaching-research position at Monash University and then moved to JCU in 2022.

Melanie's research focuses on understanding how viscous shear zones accommodate strain and fluid flow. She works on fluid transport from subduction slabs, into the subduction channel shear zone and through the mantle wedge. She is also interested in the role of shear zones in forming critical mineral ore deposits.

Melanie is a 2021-2022 STA ‘Superstar of STEM’ and the President of Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences Australasia (WOMEESA).

Teaching

CS3002: Soil Mechanics and Geology (Level 3; TSV)
EA1110: Evolution of the Earth (Level 1; TSV)
EA2010: Introductory Geology (Level 2; TSV)
EA3210: Structural Geology and Tectonics (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
EA5211: Structural Geology and Tectonics (Level 5; CNS)

Interests

Research

I am interested in understanding how ductile shear zones accommodate strain and transport fluids in a variety of settings. I would like to determine the role of ductile shear zones in the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits, particularly in skarn deposits. I am also interested in understanding the fluid flux from the subducting slab, into the subduction channel shear zone, and through the mantle.

Experience

2019 to 2021 - Lecturer, Monash University
2016 to 2018 - Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Tuebingen (Germany)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2021 to 2022 - STA Superstar of STEM

Memberships

2021 - President of Women in Earth and Environmental Science Australasia (WOMEESA)

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Finch M, Bons P, Weinberg R, Llorens M, Griera A and Gomez-Rivas E (2022) A dynamic atlas of interference patterns in superimposed, opposite sense ductile shear zones. Journal of Structural Geology, 165.
Ribeiro B, Finch M, Cawood P, Faleiros F, Murphy T, Simpson A, Glorie S, Tedeschi M, Armit R and Barrote V (2022) From microanalysis to supercontinents: insights from the Rio Apa Terrane into the Mesoproterozoic SW Amazonian Craton evolution during Rodinia assembly. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 40 (4). pp. 631-663
Yu P, Weinberg R, Zheng Y and Finch M (2022) Multiple crustal melting pulses and Hf systematics in zircons. Lithos, 410-411.
Finch M, Weinberg R, Barrote V and Cawood P (2021) Hf isotopic ratios in zircon reveal processes of anatexis and pluton construction. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 576.
Finch M, Bons P, Steinbach F, Griera A, Llorens M, Gomez-Rivas E, Ran H and de Riese T (2020) The ephemeral development of C? shear bands: A numerical modelling approach. Journal of Structural Geology, 139.
Handley H, Hillman J, Finch M, Ubide T, Kachovich S, McLaren S, Petts A, Purandare J, Foote A and Tiddy C (2020) In Australasia, gender is still on the agenda in geosciences. Advances in Geosciences, 53. pp. 205-226
Ribeiro B, Lagoeiro L, Faleiros F, Hunter N, Queiroga G, Raveggi M, Cawood P, Finch M and Campanha G (2020) Strain localization and fluid-assisted deformation in apatite and its influence on trace elements and U–Pb systematics. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 545.
Riberio B, Cawood P, Faleiros F, Mulder J, Martin E, Finch M, Raveggi M, Teixeira W, Cordani U and Pavan M (2020) A long-lived active margin revealed by zircon U–Pb–Hf data from the Rio Apa Terrane (Brazil): New insights into the Paleoproterozoic evolution of the Amazonian Craton. Precambrian Research, 350.
Riberio B, Mulder J, Faleiros F, Kirkland C, Cawood P, O’Sullivan G, Campanha G, Finch M, Weinberg R and Nebel O (2020) Using apatite to resolve the age and protoliths of mid-crustal shear zones: A case study from the Taxaquara Shear Zone, SE Brazil. Lithos, 378-379.
Tomkins A, Alkemade S, Nutku S, Stephen N, Finch M and Jeon H (2020) A small S-MIF signal in Martian regolith pyrite: Implications for the atmosphere. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 290. pp. 59-75
Ran H, de Riese T, Llorens M, Finch M, Evans L, Gomez-Rivas E, Griera A, Jessell M, Lebensohn R, Piazolo S and Bons P (2019) Time for anisotropy: The significance of mechanical anisotropy for the development of deformation structures. Journal of Structural Geology, 125. pp. 41-47
Ran H, Bons P, Wang G, Steinbach F, Finch M, Griera A, Gomez-Rivas E, Llorens M, Ran S, Liang X and Zhou J (2018) High-strain deformation of conglomerates: Numerical modelling, strain analysis, and an example from the Wutai Mountains, North China Craton. Journal of Structural Geology, 114. pp. 222-234

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 16+ research outputs authored by Dr Melanie Finch from 2014 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Australian Research Council - Discovery - Projects

Add mountains and shake: fault and earthquake pattern controls in active plate boundaries.

Indicative Funding: $17,500 over 3 years (administered by Monash University)
Summary: Transpressional mountain building occurs when tectonic plate boundaries undergo shortening and shearing parallel and perpendicular to the plate boundary. Such regions are characterised by mountains, interacting fault networks, earthquakes, volcanoes and ore deposits. We aim to determine the fundamental physical processes that link topography, seismicity, volcanism and the evolution of fault networks in these mountain belts. This work will: determine fault patterns, seismic and volcanic hazards in transpressional mountain belts, determine how seismicity modulates fault pathways, determine how high topography affects fault networks, seismic and volcanic unrest, and provide a new framework for mineral exploration at these plate boundaries.
Investigators: Alexander Cruden, Mark Quigley and Melanie Finch (Monash University, The University of Melbourne and College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: mountains

Department of the Environment and Energy - Contract Research

Seismic Interpretation of NE QLD

Indicative Funding: $50,000 over 1 year
Summary: This project will update the interpretation of deep seismic lines across NE QLD, from Georgetown to Thomson and Hodkinson provinces. Work carried out at JCU with regard to tectonic models of the development of the eastern margin of the north Australian craton and new processing techniques should allow a better understanding of the fundamental geological and tectonic structure of NE Queensland. Understanding of the large scale distribution of geological provinces in 3 dimensions will underpin other works in the region such as geological mapping and lead to better understanding of mineral systems which include significant potential for critical minerals.
Investigators: Ioan Sanislav, Lauren Waszek and Melanie Finch (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Deep seismic lines; North Australian craton; Seismic interpretation; Geological provinces; Tectonic provinces; Georgetown inlier

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Provenance, Sedimentology and Geomorphology of Coastal Dune Fields in Queensland (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
The role of structurally-controlled saline fluid flow in the formation of Australia?s Rare Earth Element deposits (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Petrogenesis of the Croydon gold field and adjacent gold deposits, North West Queensland, Australia. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
The structural, stratigraphic, and tectonic setting of the southern part of the Western Succession, Mt Isa inlier with implication for sediment-hosted Zn-Pb-Ag?Cu deposits. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.