Professor Siwan Davies

Research Highlights

1. COOK, E., Abbott, P., Pearce, N., Mojtabavi, S., Svensson, A., Bourne, A., Rasmussen, S., Seierstad, I., Vinther, B., Harrison, J., Street, E., Steffensen, J., Wilhelms, F., & Davies, S. (2022). Volcanism and the Greenland ice cores: A new tephrochronological framework for the last glacial-interglacial transition (LGIT) based on cryptotephra deposits in three ice cores. Quaternary Science Reviews, 292, 107596

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107596, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60342
2. Pearson, C., Sigl, M., Burke, A., Davies, S., Kurbatov, A., Severi, M., Cole-Dai, J., Innes, H., Albert, P., & Helmick, M. (2022). Geochemical ice-core constraints on the timing and climatic impact of Aniakchak II (1628 BCE) and Thera (Minoan) volcanic eruptions. PNAS Nexus, 1(2)

   https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac048, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59960
3. Mojtabavi, S., Wilhelms, F., Cook, E., Davies, S., Sinnl, G., Jensen, M., Dahl-Jensen, D., Svensson, A., Vinther, B., Kipfstuhl, S., Jones, G., Karlsson, N., Faria, S., Gkinis, V., Kjær, H., Erhardt, T., Berben, S., Nisancioglu, K., Koldtoft, I., & Rasmussen, S. (2020). A first chronology for the East Greenland Ice-core Project (EGRIP) over the Holocene and last glacial termination. Climate of the Past, 16(6), 2359-2380.

   https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2359-2020, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56009
4. Turney, C., Fogwill, C., Golledge, N., McKay, N., Sebille, E., Jones, R., Etheridge, D., Rubino, M., Thornton, D., Davies, S., Ramsey, C., Thomas, Z., Bird, M., Munksgaard, N., Kohno, M., Woodward, J., Winter, K., Weyrich, L., Rootes, C...., & Cooper, A. (2020). Early Last Interglacial ocean warming drove substantial ice mass loss from Antarctica. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(8), 3996-4006.

   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1902469117, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53543
5. Fogwill, C., Turney, C., Menviel, L., Baker, A., Weber, M., Ellis, B., Thomas, Z., Golledge, N., Etheridge, D., Rubino, M., Thornton, D., Ommen, T., Moy, A., Curran, M., Davies, S., Bird, M., Munksgaard, N., Rootes, C., Millman, H...., & Cooper, A. (2020). Southern Ocean carbon sink enhanced by sea-ice feedbacks at the Antarctic Cold Reversal. Nature Geoscience, 13(7), 489-497.

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-020-0587-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54640
6. Seierstad, I., Abbott, P., Bigler, M., Blunier, T., Bourne, A., Brook, E., Buchardt, S., Buizert, C., Clausen, H., Cook, E., Dahl-Jensen, D., Davies, S., Guillevic, M., Johnsen, S., Pedersen, D., Popp, T., Rasmussen, S., Severinghaus, J., Svensson, A., & Vinther, B. (2014). Consistently dated records from the Greenland GRIP, GISP2 and NGRIP ice cores for the past 104 ka reveal regional millennial-scale δ18O gradients with possible Heinrich event imprint. Quaternary Science Reviews, 106, 29-46.

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.10.032, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19598
7. Blockley, S., Bourne, A., Brauer, A., Davies, S., Hardiman, M., Harding, P., Lane, C., MacLeod, A., Matthews, I., Pyne-O’Donnell, S., Rasmussen, S., Wulf, S., & Zanchetta, G. (2014). Tephrochronology and the extended intimate (integration of ice-core, marine and terrestrial records) event stratigraphy 8–128 ka b2k. Quaternary Science Reviews, 106, 88-100.

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.11.002, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19759
8. Griggs, A., Davies, S., Abbott, P., Coleman, M., Palmer, A., Rasmussen, T., & Johnston, R. (2015). Visualizing tephra deposits and sedimentary processes in the marine environment: The potential of X‐ray microtomography. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 16(12), 4329-4343.

   https://doi.org/10.1002/2015gc006073, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21422
9. Abbott, P., Bourne, A., Purcell, C., Davies, S., Scourse, J., Pearce, N., Davies, S., & Abbott, P. (2015). Last glacial period cryptotephra deposits in an eastern North Atlantic marine sequence: Exploring linkages to the Greenland ice-cores. Quaternary Geochronology, 31, 62-76.

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2015.11.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24276
10. Smedley, R., Scourse, J., Small, D., Hiemstra, J., Duller, G., Bateman, M., Burke, M., Chiverrell, R., Clark, C., Davies, S., Fabel, D., Gheorghiu, D., McCarroll, D., Medialdea, A., Xu, S., McCarroll, D., Davies, S., & Hiemstra, J. (2017). New age constraints for the limit of the British-Irish Ice Sheet on the Isles of Scilly. Journal of Quaternary Science, 32(1), 48-62.

    https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.2922, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31716

All Research

• Constraining the timing and scale of past explosive volcanism and climate change using cryptotephra preserved in Mediterranean sedimentary archives (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Paul Albert

• GEC133 Peryglon Naturiol a Chymdeithas

  .Bydd y modiwl hwn yn ymchwilio i agweddau peryglus amgylchedd y Ddaear a pherthynas y gymdeithas â nhw. Bydd egwyddorion cychwynnol yn cynnwys diffiniad o berygl naturiol, trychineb, risg a cholled ac ymagweddau at leihau risg a rheoli trychinebau. Mae¿r prif fathau o berygl naturiol yn cael eu hastudio er mwyn deall sut maent yn gweithredu, ble, a pha mor aml maent yn debygol o ddigwydd. Caiff canlyniadau peryglus eu hystyried, yn ogystal â sut gall y gymdeithas ymateb i ddigwyddiadau peryglus. Mae agweddau allweddol yn cynnwys trafod peryglon cynradd ac eilradd, rhagweld a monitro peryglon, a deall sut y gellir lleihau eu heffeithiau niweidiol. Bydd y peryglon naturiol a fydd yn cael eu hystyried yn y modiwl hwn yn cynnwys ffrwydradau llosgfynyddoedd, daeargrynfeydd, tswnamïau, tanau gwyllt, tirlithriadau, digwyddiadau tywydd eithafol, llifogydd, cwympfeydd eira a Pheryglon Mawr. Bydd y modiwl hefyd yn ystyried y cysyniad o ¿Bobl fel Peryglon¿. Bydd darlithoedd yn ymdrin ag egwyddorion cyffredinol ynghyd ag astudiaethau achos. Bydd dosbarthiadau ymarferol yn atgyfnerthu¿r cysyniadau a drafodir mewn darlithoedd. Bydd agwedd ymarferol y gwaith hwn yn dod i uchafbwynt mewn diwrnod efelychu rheolaeth mewn trychineb. This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised. Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. The module will also consider the concept of ¿Humans as Hazards¿. Lectures consider general principles as well as case studies. Practical classes reinforce concepts learned in lectures. The practical aspect of the work will culminate in a disaster management simulation day.

• GEC269 Cyfathrebu Gwyddoniaeth

  This module introduces students to the subject of Science Communication. Students will learn how to communicate complex science and social science concepts to different audiences using a variety of techniques. Each session of the course will focus onto different modes of communication and will include theoretical and practical components. Examples of sessions include: - Personal communication styles and performance training. - Press releases and print media - Critical thinking and agendas - Audible media - Visual media - Science communication and outreach - Social Media and Blogs

• GEC333 Ffiniau Ymchwil Daearyddol

  Mae'r modiwl yma yn yn rhoi cyfle i fyfyrwyr i ddangos eu cymhwysedd fel Daearyddwyr drwy gyflawni dadansoddiad beirniadol o amrywiaeth o ffynonellau llenyddol. Er bod y traethawd hir fel arfer yn canolbwyntio ar ddylunio a chyflawni prosiect ymchwil sy'n seiliedig ar gasglu, dadnsoddi a dehongli data, mae'r modiwl yma yn canolbwyntio ar ymgysylltu a llenyddiaeth academaidd ar y ffin o un agwedd o Ddaearyddiaeth. Gall myfyrwyr ddewis o ystod eang o ffiniau ymchwil o fewn Dearyddiaeth Dynol a Ffisegol sydd wedi eu dewis o flaen llaw gan staff academaidd yr adran. Gan bod y modiwl yma yn ffocysi ar arddull o ddysgu "myfyriwr-canolog" (student centered), ni fydd y ffinau wedi eu trafod mewn unrhyw fanylder o fmewn modiwlau blaenorol, er efallai bydd rhai modiwlau wedi cyflwyno'r ffiniau. Bydd yna gyflwyniad fyr i bob ffin ac rhestr fyr o gyfeiriadau pwysig ar Canvas. Nodwch: rhaid i'r testun a ddewisir beidio a gorgyffwrdd gyda'r testun Traethawd Hir. Os oes unrhyw amheuaeth, yna rhaid i chi drafod gyda'ch Tiwtor Cefnogaeth Traethawd Hir ac bydd angen i chi dderbyn cytundeb ysgrifenedig. This module provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their competence as a Geographer by undertaking a critical analysis of a wide variety of literature-based sources in order to develop a cogent, substantial, and persuasive argument. While the Dissertation in Geography normally focuses on the design and execution of an evidenced-based research project that assesses the capacity of students to undertake effective data analysis and interpretation, the purpose of this module is to assess the extent to which students are capable of engaging with the academic literature at the frontier of a particular part of Geography. Students select from a wide range of research frontiers in Human and Physical Geography that have been identified by the academic staff within the Department. Given that this module emphasizes student-centred learning, none of the frontiers will have been covered in other modules, although in many cases modules will have taken students up to some of these frontiers. However, to orientate students and provide them with suitable points of departure and way-stations, there will be a brief introduction to each frontier and a short list of pivotal references disseminated via canvas. (Note: The topic selected by you must not overlap with the subject of your Dissertation. If there is any doubt about potential overlap, this must be discussed with your Dissertation Support Group supervisor and agreed in writing.)

• GEG133 Natural Hazards and Society

  This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised. Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. Lecture material considers general principles as well as case studies. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience.

• GEG252SI Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Isles of Scilly

  The module is concerned with identifying and defining climate and environment change questions within the Isle of Scilly, which serves as an example of a region with unique habitats and climate in the UK and applying relevant environmental and climate science skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied micro-climates and habitat features of the Isle of Scilly. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods, including seminars, posters and reports. Students taking this field course focus on both climate change, sustainable living and the environment and conduct project work appropriate to their specialism. The module comprises preparatory sessions in Swansea during teaching block 2 and one week field course, which typically runs in the last week of teaching block 2.

• GEG333 Geographical Research Frontiers

  This module provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their competence as a Geographer by undertaking a critical analysis of a wide variety of literature-based sources in order to develop a cogent, substantial, and persuasive argument. While the Dissertation in Geography normally focuses on the design and execution of an evidenced-based research project that assesses the capacity of students to undertake effective data analysis and interpretation, the purpose of this module is to assess the extent to which students are capable of engaging with the academic literature at the frontier of a particular part of Geography. Students select from a wide range of research frontiers in Human and Physical Geography that have been identified by the academic staff within the Department. Given that this module emphasizes student-centred learning, none of the frontiers will have been covered in other modules, although in many cases modules will have taken students up to some of these frontiers. However, to orientate students and provide them with suitable points of departure and way-stations, there will be a brief introduction to each frontier and a short list of pivotal references disseminated via Canvas. (Note: The topic selected by you must not overlap with the subject of your Dissertation. If there is any doubt about potential overlap, this must be discussed with your Dissertation Support Group supervisor and agreed in writing.)

• GEG363 Volcanology

  In this module, students will study magmatic and volcanic processes, from source to surface. We will follow the journey of magma, from its production inside the Earth, to eruption at the surface through volcanoes, and injection of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. The module will cover magma generation, storage and evolution, ascent and eruption. Students will gain an understanding of processes underpinning eruptive styles and interpretation of these processes from the volcanic products. The module also explores how volcanism affects our planet¿s climate and society. Delivery of the module will include a combination of on-campus sessions and a field course to the Eifel Volcanic Field (Germany). The field course will enable in-situ study of diverse volcanic landforms and products, formed via a wide range of eruptive styles, including effusive and explosive eruptions. During the field course, students will study various aspects of volcanic geology, including learning how to observe, measure and interpret volcanic rocks and deposits. The module has a strong geological focus, and therefore a keen interest in geology and some previous knowledge of geology is highly recommended.

• Professor of Physical Geography, Swansea University

  2012 - Present

• Reader, Swansea University

  2011 - 2012

• Senior Lecturer, Swansea University

  2008 - 2011

• Lecturer, Swansea University

  2004 - 2008

• Post-doctoral research assistant, University of Copenhagen

  2003 - 2004

• Post-doctoral research assistant, Stockholm University

  2002 - 2003

• Director of Recruitment and Marketing , College of Science, Swansea University

  2012 - Present

• President, INQUA International, Tephrochronology and Volcanism

  2007 - 2011

• Awards Officer, Quaternary Research Association

  2010 - 2013

• BRITICE-CHRONO Constraining rate and style of marine influenced ice-sheet decay 2012 - 2017

  (NERC Consortium) University of Sheffield, Principal Investigator: Clark, C

• TRACE Tephra constraints on RApid Climatic Events 2006 - 2011

  European Research Council (ERC) Independent Starting Grant (Project no. 259253). Principal Investigator. , €1,471,116.80

• Holocene tephra constraints on the timing of millennial-scale variability in the subpolar North Atlantic. 2006 - 2011

  Principal Investigator: Austin, WEN. Co-Investigators Davies, SM & Cage, AG., NERC Small grant (NE/H012273/1) , £51,767

• Reconstructing 8000 years of Environmental and Landscape change in the Cairngorms. 2006 - 2011

  Principal Investigator: Wilson, R. Co-Investigators: Edwards, KJ & Davies, SM., Leverhulme Trust (F/00 268/BG) , £248,715

• Synchronising marine and ice-core records using tephrochronology (SMART) 2011 - 2016

  Principal Investigator; Co-Investigators: Austin, WEN and Pearce, NJG., NERC Standard grant (NE/F020600/1)