Sediment and carbon transport during tsunami transport in the South Sandwich Islands REP 2026

Project background

Scientific Background

One of the largest ever recorded earthquakes in the South Atlantic (Mw 8.2) occurred in the South Sandwich Islands in 2021, which caused a global spreading tsunami that reached nearly every ocean basin.

Tsunamis can be generated by sudden displacement of the ocean, either by earthquake, or earthquake-triggered submarine landslide (or combination of both). Submarine landslides can generate the largest and most destructive tsunamis, as they displace huge volumes of sediment, often exceeding the size of their terrestrial counterparts by several orders of magnitude. It is unknown which mechanism caused the tsunami following the Mw 8.2 earthquake. Furthermore, the South Sandwich Islands pose an unknown global geohazard risk with little known about how active slope processes (e.g. submarine landslides) are due to the isolated and logistically challenging location limiting seafloor mapping. The arc consists of submarine volcanoes and seamounts within an active subduction zone on the South Sandwich tectonic plate. Available bathymetric data show numerous submarine landslides on the flanks of submarine volcanoes and seamounts with recent analysis showing >300 slide scars. Additionally, downslope transport into trenches from earthquake-triggered turbidites has been recognised as a efficient transport pathway of organic carbon and the primary mechanism for carbon transport from the surface to the Earth’s interior, though significant uncertainties on the volume of carbon remain.

Research Methodology

A recent scientific expedition to the region collected targeted push cores alongside video-imaging and sea-floor mapping. This project will investigate the causes and impacts of submarine landsliding, for example the impact of submarine landsliding on marine habitats and recolonization, and the amount of organic carbon transported into South Sandwich Island trench. This aim will be achieved through the in-depth study of two cores, allowing a spatial comparisons to be made, with the following objectives:

Qualitative description of the core sedimentology
Quantitative characterisation of grainsize,
Compositional analysis including carbon content and optical microscopy
Micropalaeontological analysis
Assessment of carbon sequestration and cycling within the cores.

All laboratory work will be undertaken in the SoGEES sedimentology and micropalaeontology laboratories and associated analytical facilities. Following core splitting, the core will be described following standard protocols and ~20 samples taken at 1 cm intervals from each core.

Training in core description, sample preparation, microscope work and carbon analysis will be provided by Drs Fisher and Gales. Training in data interpretation will be provided by all supervisors.

The successful candidate will join our vibrant and active research group of students, postdocs, and faculty from the University of Plymouth, which meets regularly in-person through research groups and the Centre for Research in Natural Hazards and Risk Reduction (CHaRR). The results of this project will form parts of a peer-reviewed publication and proof of concept data for a NERC Pushing the Frontiers proposal.

Eligibilty criteria

Students must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed below to apply for a REP:

Be undertaking their first undergraduate degree studies (or integrated Masters) – note that students in in their final year who have graduated and no longer have student status at the time the placement starts are not eligible;
Be eligible for subsequent NERC PhD funding (please see the relevant text in the ‘Terms and conditions for training funding’ and associated guidance for further information – https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/); and
Have the right to work in the UK.

Students from outside the UK who do not already have right to work in the UK should not apply.

How to apply

The deadline for applications will be midday (12 noon BST) on Wednesday 20 May 2026.

In order to be considered for a placement, please apply to aries.dtp@uea.ac.uk providing the following:

A supporting statement explaining your motivation for applying for this project. Please include answers to the following questions:
- which project are you applying for?
- why have you applied for this project (e.g. what interested you about this project, what in particular made you want to undertake this research)?
- what do you hope to achieve by undertaking this placement (e.g. is it for experience, to gain skills, to develop your interests)?
- what skills do you have that make you an ideal candidate for this placement (e.g. what skills have you developed during your degree that might apply)?
- what do you hope to do when you complete your degree (e.g. have you considered a working in scientific research in the future, or is this your first experience)?
A recent CV
A reference from your personal tutor (please ask your tutor to send this to us directly)
An interim transcript if available
Please also complete the online EDI form (this form is a mandatory part of the application process, but contains ‘prefer not to say’ options for all questions asked)

Selection process

Applications are screened for eligibility
Applications are forwarded to supervisors (the EDI form is not included)
Supervisors shortlist candidates and interview for the placement.

Candidates will be scored according to the following criteria:

Fit to project (e.g. your current skills, area of study, interests)
Enthusiasm for environmental research (e.g. what you hope to achieve through undertaking this placement, why you chose this project in particular)
Evidence of suitability to undertake a research placement (e.g. evidence from your tutor reference, transcript, and CV that you are an engaged student)

Successful candidates will be informed by Friday 12 June 2026.