Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES)

Profile

General Information

I am fortunate to work in many geologically exciting parts of the world, collaborating with a wide range of talented researchers. This typically involves detailed field-based studies within a multidisciplinary approach. Currently my research emphasises volcano geodynamics and hazards, particularly flank instability, structural geology and tectonics, particularly neotectonics, and palaeoseismology and earthquake hazards.  My teaching experience, gained on both sides of the Atlantic, additionally includes field geology and remote sensing interpretation, geological resources and the environment, and igneous and metamorphic petrology and petrography.

Teaching

Teaching responsibilities centre on the MSc programme, with undergraduate teaching primarily in Level 1.

Career History

• 1996–07   Lecturer, Brunel University.
• 1990-96   Subject Leader in Geology, West London Institute of Higher Education.
• 1986-90   Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh.
• 1978-85   Lecturer, Humboldt State University, California.
• 1976-78   Research Assistant, University of California.
• 1973-78   MA, PhD, University of California.
• 1969-72   BSc, University of London.

Research

Research interests and experience

• Volcano geodynamics and hazards, particularly flank instability.
• Structural geology and tectonics, particularly neotectonics.
• Palaeoseismology and earthquake hazards, exposure to risk and mitigation measures.
• Slope stability studies, particularly related to coastline retreat and seismically triggered landslides.

Current research projects

• Tectonic causes of volcano failure and possible premonitory signals. NATO International Lithosphere Programme, with Prof Alessandro Tibaldi, University of Milan.
• Tectonic and geophysical analysis of the outer forearc of the Hellenic subduction zone, western Crete. 
• Research collaboration with Prof Filippos Vallianatos, Technological Educational Institute of Crete.
• Neotectonic and palaeoseismological studies of the Talas - Fergana fault zone, Tien Shan mountains, Kyrgyzstan. Collaboration with Dr Andrey Korjenkov and Prof Ernes Mamyrov, Institute of Seismology, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
• Geodynamic behaviour and volcanic hazards of Mount Etna.  Research collaboration with Dr Marco Neri of the Italian National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology, Catania, Sicily.
• Studies of active deformation and earthquake hazards in the Hikurangi forearc, North Island, New Zealand. 
• Research in collaboration with Dr Rodney Grapes, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. 
• Volcano behaviour, volcanic hazards and volcanism-related mineral resources. European Science Foundation with Dr Alexandru Szakacs, Sapientia University, Romania, and Dr. Ioan Seghedi, Institute of Geodynamics, Romanian Academy.
• Ground movements in eastern Sicily and their geotechnical significance. Research collaboration with Dr Laurance Donnelly, Halcrow Engineering Ltd, Handforth, Cheshire.
• Tectonic and palaeoenvironmental analysis of fault-bounded basins and associated sediments, eastern Turkey.
• Research in collaboration with Dr Salih Bayraktutan, Erzurum University, Turkey.

Future research: funding applications pending

• Ecuador Government, Research Grant Programme. ‘Slope stability and related hazards at Cotopaxi, Reventador and Sumaco volcanoes, Ecuador’. Collaboration with Prof.Theofilos Toulkeridis, San Francisco University of Quito, Ecuador.
• European Science Foundation, Research Networking Programme. 'Volcanic slope stability evaluation'. Co-Leader with Dr Laurance Donnelly, Halcrow Engineering Ltd, Handforth, Cheshire, and Prof Alessandro Tibaldi, University of  Milan.
• European Commission Seventh Framework Programme. ‘Risk posed by island and submarine volcanoes in Greece and Italy’. Collaboration with Prof Alessandro Tibaldi, University of Milan and Dr Gianluca Groppelli, CNR, Milan.
• NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. ‘Geo-environmental security of the Toktogul hydroelectric power station region.’ Joint Project Director with Dr Andrey Korjenkov, Institute of Seismology, Kyrgyzstan.
  International Year of Planet Earth. ‘From volcanoes to their magma chambers: a worldwide approach to understanding volcanic feeding systems.’ Multi-partner project led by Prof Agust Gudmundsson, University of Göttingen and Prof Alessandro Tibaldi, University of Milan.
• European Commision COST (Co-operation in Scientific and Technical Research) Programme. ‘Volcanic landslide assessment network (VoLAN).’  Multi-partner project led by Prof Alessandro Tibaldi, University of Milan.
• International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) ‘Exploring relationships between hydrothermal ore genesis, volcano-instability-related processes and volcano tectonics at composite volcanoes.’  Multi-partner project led by Dr Alexandru Szakacs, Sapientia University, Romania, Dr Ferenc Molnár, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary and Prof Alessandro Tibaldi, University of Milan.

Recent Publications

More recent publications

Publications Before 2006

• Kalisperi, D., Romano, G., Rust, D., Vallianatos, F. and Makris, J. 2007. Magnetotelluric investigation of the crust of western Crete, Greece. Proceedings, 4th International Symposium on Three-Dimensional Electromagnetics, Freiberg, September 2007 (in press).
• Rust, D. 2005. Palaeoseismology in steep terrain: the Big Bend of the San Andreas fault, Transverse Ranges, California. Tectonophysics, Special Volume on Palaeoseismology, 408,193-205.
• Rust, D., Behncke, B. Neri, M. and Ciocanel, A. 2005. Nested zones of instability in the Mount Etna volcanic edifice, Sicily. Jour. Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Special Issue on the Tectonics and Physics of Volcanoes, 144, 137-153.
• Collins, P. E. F., Rust, D. J., Bayraktutan, M. S. and Turner, S. D. 2005. Fluvial stratigraphy and palaeoenvironments in the Pasinler Basin, eastern Turkey. Quaternary International, 140-141, 121-134.
• Makris, J., Kalisperi, D., Rust, D. and Vallianatos, F. 2005. Software modules for studying magnetotelluric theory. Proceedings, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), EUROCON 2005, Belgrade, November 2005, 862-865.
• Kalisperi, D., Hloupis, G., Makris, J., Rust, D., Vallianatos, F., Saltas, V., Soupios, P., and Vardiambasis, I. 2005. Educational software bundle for studying magnetotelluric theory and specific geoelectric structure models. Proceedings, WSEAS (World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society) Int. Conf. on Engineering Education, Athens, July 2005, 477-486, ISBN: 960-8457-28-9
• Rust, D. (contributor) 2005. Living with the Changing California Coast. Griggs, G., Patsch, K. and Savoy, L. eds. University of California Press, 400 pages, ISBN: 0520244451
• Antonioli, F., Kershaw, S., Renda, P. and Rust, D. 2004. Contrasting patterns of late Quaternary tectonic uplift around the coastline of Sicily. 32nd International Geological Congress, Florence, Italy, August, 2004 Field Trip Guidebook P10, 20 pages.
• Antonioli, F., Kershaw, S., Rust, D. and Verrubbi, V. 2003. Holocene sea-level change in Sicily and its implications for tectonic models: new data from the Taormina area, northeast Sicily.  Marine Geology, 196, 53-71.
• Rust, D. and Gardener, J. 2002. Lithological and structural controls on style and rate of coastal slope failure: implications for future planning and remedial engineering measures, SW coast, Isle of Wight. in McInnes, R. G. and Jakeways, J. eds. Instability, Planning and Management: seeking sustainable solutions to ground movement problems, Thomas Telford, London, 649-656.  ISBN: 07277-313-27
• Rust, D., Ciocanel, A., Lanzafame, G. and Neri, M. 2002. Activity on flank faults: Mount Etna, Sicily. Proceedings, International Symposium on Interaction between Volcanoes and their Basement and Related Geological Hazards, Santiago, Chile, 17 pages.
• Stewart, I. S., Firth, C. R., Rust, D. J., Collins, P. E. F. and Firth, J. A. 2001. Postglacial fault movement and palaeoseismicity in western Scotland: A reappraisal of the Kinloch Hourn fault, Kintail.  Journal of Seismology, 5, 307-328.
• Rust, D. and Kershaw, S. 2000. Holocene tectonic uplift patterns in north-eastern Sicily: evidence from marine notches in coastal outcrops. Marine Geology, 167, 105-126.