Prof. Dr. Christophe PASCAL
Head of Structural Geology Group at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.
Born in León (Spain)
French nationality
Married, two children
https://de.linkedin.com/in/christophe-pascal-ab89b43b
Research interests
Structural geology/tectonics, fault and brittle tectonics, neotectonics, lithospheric stresses, numerical modelling, heat flow/geothermy, lithosphere dynamics and rheology.
Education and career
- 2011- ... Full professor in Structural Geology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
- 2007-2011 Research professor (1183 grade) at Geological Survey of Norway.
- 2005-2007 Senior researcher (1110 grade) at Geological Survey of Norway.
- 2005-2008 Visiting research fellow at Tectonics Group, Free Univ., Amsterdam.
- 1999-2005 Post-doc Fellow at Free Univ., Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- 1998-1999 Post-doc Fellow at Univ. of Bergen, Norway.
- 1998 PhD thesis in Tectonophysics (supervised by J. Angelier), Sorbonne Université, France.
- 1993-1994 Military service.
- 1993 MSc ("DEA") in Quantitative Geosciences, Inst. Français du Pétrole-Sorbonne Université, Fr.
- 1992 MSc ("Maîtrise") in Theoretical Physics, Univ. Bordeaux I, France.
Main administrative responsibilities
- 2009-present Principal Investigator: Geothermal Group, Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC).
- 2015-2016 Director Institute of Geology, Minerology and Geophysics, RUB.
- 2014-2015 Vice-director Institute of Geology, Minerology and Geophysics, RUB.
- 2009-2010 Project leader: Quantitative assessment of geothermal resources in the Oslo and Bergen Regions.
- 2007-2011 Project leader: The Møre-Trøndelag Fault Complex an integrated study.
- 2007-2010 Project leader: HeatBar, Heat flow characterisation of the Barents Sea.
- 2006-2009 Project leader: Impact of recent glacial erosion on subsurface temperatures.
- 2005-2008 Co-ordinator of the TopoScandia initiative.
Teaching and supervision
- Since 2011 Teaching 9 SWS/term including Fundamentals of Struct. Geol. and Tectonics (BSc), Struct. Geol. (MSc), Fault slip inversion techniques (MSc), Basin tectonics (MScc) and 20-30 days of field courses at BSc and MSc levels.
- Since 2013 Invited lecture, University of Alicante, Spain (BSc, 1h every year, in Spanish).
- 2019 Invited professor at North Caucasus Federal University, Stavropol, Russia, one-week lecture on Tectonics (BSc-MSc).
- 2017 Invited professor at Tongji University, Shanghai, one-week lecture on Fault slip inversion techniques (MSc).
- 2003-2004 Practical courses in numerical modelling techniques (post-graduate level, EU-Entec Programme, Free Univ., Amsterdam, 15h/yr).
- 2001-2003 Fault slip inversion and paleostress reconstruction techniques (BSc level, Free Univ., Amsterdam, 20h/yr).
- 2000 Invited lecturer at Univ. of Bergen, Norway: Fault-slip inversion techniques (post-graduate level).
- 1999-2004 Responsible for practical courses in numerical modelling techniques (BSc-MSc level, Free Univ., Amsterdam, 35h/yr).
Supervision
PhD theses
Richard Löwe. 2015-2020: Steady-state vs transient heat transfer in the COSC-1 drillhole, Central Sweden (RUB).
Benoit Nigon, 2014-2018: Fracture flow and heat transport modeling using natural joint surfaces (RUB/GZB).
Armaghan Miraj, 2013-2017: Integrated analysis and modelling of structural inversion of the Barents Sea (RUB).
Aziz Nasuti, 2007-2011: An integrated geophysical and geological study of the Møre-Trøndelag Fault Complex (NTNU, Univ. Trondheim).
MSc theses
Lingeswaren Ravindran, 2019: Heat flow determinations from from bottom Hole Temperatures of the Norwegian Shelf (RUB).
Michael Tusch, 2018: Structural mapping in the External Zone of the Betics: La Murta, Alicante, Spain (RUB).
Julia Buescher, 2018. Thermal modelling of key-transects in the Norwegian Shelf (RUB).
Julian Treutler, 2016. Aquifer Storage Eschenfelden –A 3D Petrel Study (Uniper/RUB).
Tim Hupe, 2016. 3D structural restoration of the Frøy Field, northern North Sea (RUB).
Anna Kutovaya, 2015: Miocene geology and structure in 3D - a depleted gas field modelled with Petrel (East-Molasse Basin, Bavaria) (E.On Gas Storage/RUB).
Onyedikachi Igbokwe, 2014: 3D structural modelling of the Osning Zone (RUB).
Tim Bauer, 2014: 3D modelling of the Frøy Field, northern North Sea (RUB).
Khadija Darwich, 2013: Heat flow determinations from exploration drillholes in the Norwegian Margin (RUB).
Anna Kozakowski, 2012: Kinematics and 3D structure of the Osning Zone (RUB).
Richard Löwe, 2012: 3D Geomodelling of a depleted gas field in the East-Molasse Basin (Bavaria) (E.On Gas Storage/RUB, awarded with the “Praxispreis Geowisseschaften” in 2013).
Therese Rudlang, 2010-2011: Heat Flow and Deep Underground Temperatures in the Bergen Region (NTNU, Univ. Trondheim).
Marianne Kolstrup, 2009-2010: Lithosphere structure of Fennoscandia: joint inversion of seismic, gravity and heat flow data (Univ. Oslo, main supervisor Prof. V. Maupin).
Camille Raulin, 2007: Stress state and structure of the Fennoscandian lithosphere (MSc thesis, Univ. Paris VI).
BSc theses
Marc Ogan, 2021. High-resolution geological mapping around Cala del Charco, Betics, Spain (RUB).
Felix Wilke, 2020. Detailed structural mapping of the paleo-landsides of Cala del Charco, Betics, Spain (RUB).
Andreas Grzeschik, 2016: Geodatenmanagement für das Abgrabungsmonitoring NRW (Festgesteine) des Geologischen Dienstes NRW (Geologischer Dienst NRW/RUB).
Martin Balcewicz, 2016: Structural characterization of fractures in core samples from the GZB drill site (RUB/Geothermal Center Bochum).
Michael Tusch, 2015: Structural mapping consecutive to recent trenching on the RUB campus (RUB).
Erik Wanningen, 2004: Paleostress reconstruction using fault-slip data, Yorkshire, UK (Free Univ. Amsterdam).
Bart de Vries, 2004: Numerical modelling of Cenozoic faulting in the North Sea (Free Univ. Amsterdam).
Involvement in evaluation committees
- 2019 Opponent: Karst water management in semi-arid environments: Central West Bank, Palestine by Hassan Jebreen (PhD thesis, RUB).
- 2017 Opponent: Thermal properties of rocks: a periodic solution of thermal diffusion and its application to the pressure dependency of thermal properties by Thomas Andolfsson (PhD thesis, RUB).
- 2015 Opponent: Acoustic emission monitoring of laboratory hydraulic fracturing experiments – potentials and limitations by Michael Molenda (PhD thesis, RUB).
- 2015 Opponent: 3D waveform tomography of the Hellenic subduction zone by Samir Lamara (PhD thesis, RUB).
- 2013 Opponent: The late Paleocene and early Eocene hyperthermal events evidenced by calcareous nannofossils and geochemistry by Christian Joachim (PhD thesis, RUB).
- 2013 Member of the evaluation committee of Jun. Prof. Thomas Müller (RUB).
- 2012 Opponent: Hydrogeology and geothermal system in continental rift zone: hydrochemistry and isotope hydrology in the Central Main Ethiopian Rift by Shemelis Weldesenbet (PhD thesis, RUB).
- 2006-2008 External examiner for the Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, Univ. Trondheim, Norway.
- 2003 Opponent: Cooling and denudation of the Norwegian and Barents Sea margins, northern Scandinavia by Bart Hendriks (PhD thesis, VU Amsterdam).
Obtained grants and contracts
- 2019 DFG grant support for scientific drilling: Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC-2), role main proponent.
- 2017 ICDP grant for scientific drilling: Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC-2), role co-proponent (PI C. Juhlin, Uppsala Univ.).
- 2015-2018 Research and PhD grant: Steady-state vs transient heat transfer in the COSC-1 drillhole, Central Sweden; implications for heat and fluid flows in Precambrian shields (DFG “ICDP Schwerpunktprogramm”), role main proponent.
- 2014-2016 Research and Post-doc grant: Structural and mechanical characterisation of natural hydrofractures in 3D (DFG “Sachbeihilfe”), role main proponent.
- 2013-2015 ICDP grant for scientific drilling: Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC, www.icdp-online.org/projects/world/europe/are-jarpen) complemented with a grant from the Swedish Research council, role co-proponent for both proposals (PI C. Juhlin, Uppsala Univ.).
- 2010-2012 Research grant: North Sea crustal onshore-offshore project, financed by ConocoPhillips, Det Norske, Lundin, Noreco, Statoil, Total, Wintershall and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (~1.6 Mio€), role co-proponent (PI O. Olesen, NGU).
- 2009-2012 Networking grant: Scientific Drilling in the Nordic Countries, financed by Norforsk (~110 k€), role co-proponent (PI H. Lorenz, Uppsala Univ.).
- 2009-2011 Research grant: COSC High resolution reflection seismic imaging in western Jämtland, financed by the Research Council of Sweden, role co-proponent (PI C. Juhlin, Uppsala Univ.).
- 2009-2010 Research contract: Quantitative assessment of geothermal resources in the Oslo and Bergen Regions (financed by Statoil, confidential), role main proponent.
- 2009 Workshop grant: Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC), financed by ICDP (25 k€), role co-proponent (PI D.G. Gee, Uppsala Univ.).
- 2009 Workshop grant: Postglacial Fault Drilling Project (PFDP), financed by ICDP, role co-proponent (PI I. Kukkonen, Geol. Survey of Finland).
- 2007-2010 Research and PhD grant: The Møre-Trøndelag Fault Complex an integrated study, financed by the Research Council of Norway, role main proponent.
- 2006-2009 Research contract: Impact of recent glacial erosion on subsurface temperatures: (EroGen), financed by Det Norske AS , role main proponent.
- 2006-2010 Visiting research fellow (personal) grant: Integrated 3D modelling of the structure of the lithosphere (Dutch Integrated Solid Earth Science programme, ISES project 9.2.2, www.ises.nu).
- 2006-2010 PhD grant (never filled!): Post-breakup inversion of the mid-Norwegian margin; (ISES 9.2.1.), role main proponent.
- 2005-2009 Research contract: HeatBar, Heat flow characterisation of the Barents Sea, financed by StatoilHydro and the Research Council of Norway, role co-proponent.
- 2003-2006 Post-doc (personal) grant: Stress state of the Norwegian margin, Euromargins project NemsDyn-EMA16 (European Science Foundation).
- 2002-2003 Post-doc (personal) grant: Lithosphere modelling and rifted margins (ISES 6.4.1.).
- 2001-2002 Post-doc (personal) grant: Intraplate deformation and dynamics of rifting (ISES 3.3.2.).
Service
- 2013 Co-convenor GD2.2: Geothermal Heat Flow: Linking Earth's Deep Interior and Surface Processes. EGU 2013, Vienna 07-12 April 13.
- 2012 Organiser and chairman of the DynaQlim “Lithosphere-cryosphere interactions” workshop (RUB, Sept. 26-27).
- 2012 Organiser and chairman of the “Scientific drilling and geothermal studies” workshop (RUB, Sept. 24-25).
- 2010-2011 Member of the reader panel of Nature.
- 2010-2011 Member of the steering committee of the Norwegian Center for Geothermal Energy Research (www.cger.no).
- 2010 Member of the scientific program committee of the Geological Society of Norway 22nd Norwegian Winter Conference to be held in Stavanger, Jan. 11-13, 2011.
- 2010 Chairman for the symposium 16J: Advanced Technology. World Geothermal Congress 2010, Bali 25-30 Apr. 10.
- 2010 Convenor for the symposium ER3: Terrestrial heat flow: From Geodynamics to Society. 29th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting, Oslo 11-13 Jan. 10.
- 2010 Co-convenor for the symposium ID5: Continental scientific drilling in the Nordic countries. 29th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting, Oslo 11-13 Jan. 10.
- 2009-2011 Member of the steering committee of the Scientific Drilling in the Nordic Countries network, financed by Nordforsk (www.sdnc.eu).
- 2008-2013 Member of the steering committee of the International Lithosphere Program DynaQlim project (dynaqlim.fgi.fi).
- 2008-… Member of Swedish Deep Drilling Programme working group (www.sddp.se).
- 2008 Convenor for the symposium: Neotectonics and stress state in formerly glaciated regions, 33rd International Geological Congress, Oslo, 6-14 Aug. 08.
- 2008 Convenor for the symposium TopoScandia: the enigmatic topography of Scandinavia, its causes and consequences. 28th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting, Aalborg 7-10 Jan. 08.
- 2008 Co-convenor for the symposium Ground heat and geothermics. 28th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting, Aalborg 7-10 Jan. 08.
- 2006-2007 Organiser and chairman of the 1st TopoNorge Workshop (Trondheim, March 06) and the TopoScandia Coordination Meeting (Trondheim, March 07).
Reviewer for: Basin Research, Computers and Geosciences, Compte-rendus Geoscience, EGS Special Publications, EPSL, GeoArabia, Geology, Geological Society of London, Geophysical Journal International, Geophysical Research Letters, Geothermics, International Journal of Earth Sciences, Journal of Earth System Science, Journal of Geodynamics, Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal of Structural Geology, Lithosphere, Marine and Petroleum Geology, Mathematical Geology, Nature Geoscience, NGU Bulletin, Precambrian Research, Solid Earth, Tectonics, Tectonophysics, Terra Nova and sorry but I'm starting to lose track of all journal names…
Reviewer for DFG (research council of Germany), NWO (research council of The Netherlands), European Commision.
Computer skills
Developed numerical codes: Fracprobe (1993), Sortan (1995-2003), Pote (2004- …).
Softwares: Ansys, 3DEC, UDEC, Flac3D, 3DMove, Hypermesh, Geosoft…
Languages and Systems: ANSI C, FORTRAN77, PASCAL, X11, DOS, UNIX, LINUX.
Softwares: Ansys, 3DEC, UDEC, Flac3D, 3DMove, Hypermesh, Geosoft…
Languages and Systems: ANSI C, FORTRAN77, PASCAL, X11, DOS, UNIX, LINUX.
Language skills
French and Spanish: native speaker.
English: fluent (not like a native for sure...).
German: modest.
Norwegian: relatively confident but mostly read.
English: fluent (not like a native for sure...).
German: modest.
Norwegian: relatively confident but mostly read.