Max Webb

Biography

Fieldwork based geologist with expertise in geochronology, geochemisty, structural geology, geological mapping of complex terranes, and regional tectonics.

I currently work as a Post-doctoral Researcher with the SE Asia Research Group at Royal Holloway University studying the geology and tectonics of SE Asia. I use detailed fieldwork, U-Pb zircon geochronology, and major/trace element and isotopic geochemical analyses in order to gain insights into how the rocks in this region formed and have evolved other time. I currently have projects studying rapid mountain building in New Guinea, the basin evolution of offshore Borneo using analogue studies from difficult to access islands in the South China Sea, and the sedimentary provenance of the Nicobar Fan.

A large part of my PhD and Postdoc position has involved long field seasons doing detailed geological mapping and sample collection in the remote jungle environments of SE Asia.

Background

Professional

Post-doctoral Research and Research Group Manager – SE Asia Research Group, Royal Holloway University of London – 2019 to present

Demonstrator (structural geology and GIS modules – Royal Holloway University of London and University of Wollogong – 2014 to 2018

Education

PhD in Geology – ‘The record of collision along the northern margin of the Australian Plate’ – University of Wollongong – 2016 to 2019

MSc (By Research) Geology – ‘Timing of Magmatism in the Netoni Intrusive Complex; implications for crustal growth in the Bird’s Head’ – Royal Holloway University of London – 2014 to 2016

Relevant Publications (top five)

Webb, M., White, L. T., Manning, C. J., Jost, B. M., & Tiranda, H. 2020. Isotopic mapping reveals the location of crustal fragments along a long-lived convergent plate boundary. Lithos, 372, 105687. [Link]
Webb, M., White, L. T., Jost, B. M., Tiranda, H., & BouDagher-Fadel, M. 2020. The history of Cenozoic magmatism and collision in NW New Guinea–New insights into the tectonic evolution of the northernmost margin of the Australian Plate. Gondwana Research, 82, 12-38. [Link]
Webb, M., White, L. T., Jost, B. M., & Tiranda, H. 2019. The Tamrau Block of NW New Guinea records late Miocene–Pliocene collision at the northern tip of the Australian Plate. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 179, 238-260. [Link]
Jost, B. M., Webb, M., & White, L. T. 2018. The Mesozoic and Palaeozoic granitoids of north-western New Guinea. Lithos, 312, 223-243. [Link]
Webb, M., White, L.T. 2016. Age and nature of Triassic magmatism in the Netoni Intrusive Complex, West Papua, Indonesia. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 132, 58-74. [Link]

Past fieldwork experience

Natuna, Indonesia – 2020
Myanmar – 2018
Eastern Australia – 2017
West Papua, Indonesia – 2014/2015/2016
Almeria, Spain – 2015/2016
Troodos, Cyprus – 2014
Isle of Mull, Scotland – 2013/2019
NW France – 2013
Assynt, NW Scotland – 2012

Student Supervision

Megan Poole: Undergraduate Research Assistant and Digital Archivist for SEARG. Royal Holloway 2020 to present. Supervisor.

Recent Papers –

Max Webb et al., 2020. Isotopic mapping reveals the location of crustal fragments along a long-lived convergent plate boundary. Lithos.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2020.105687

Max Webb et al., 2020. The history of Cenozoic magmatism and collision in NW New Guinea – New insights into the tectonic evolution of the northernmost margin of the Australian Plate. Gondwana Research.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2019.12.010

Amy Gough et al., 2020. Mid-Cenozoic fluvio-deltaic to marine environments of the Salin Sub-basin, Central Myanmar. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2019.104143

Recent News –

Amy Gough and Max Webb attended the Restech 2.0 Virtual Reservoir Conference. Amy Gough presented new SEARG research on the pitfalls of light mineral studies for sedimentary provenance in tropical climates.

Amy Gough was awarded an honorary research fellowship of the British Geological Survey and continues to foster collaborative relationships between SEARG and the BGS.