School of Earth and Environment
Untitled Document

Derek Fairhead Prof Derek Fairhead

Managing Director: GETECH; Emeritus Professor of Applied Geophysics

Telephone number: 0113 322 2200
Email address: d.fairhead@leeds.ac.uk
Room: GETECH Group plc

GETECH

Biography

Did Joint Honours in Physics and Geology at Durham and an MSc and PhD in Geophysics at Newcastle on the seismicity of Africa and the crustal structure of the East African Rift System based on gravity data. He now heads GETECH (Geophysical Exploration Technology), a division of the University of Leeds Industrial Services Ltd. a wholly University owned company to provide the oil and mineral industries with continental gravity and aeromagnetic database products for enhancing their exploration activities. His main academic interests lie in Applied Geophysics: geological and geophysical controls on sedimentary basin development within and along the margins of the continents; and crust/mantle processes related to: rifting and break-up of continents and the influence that plate tectonics has on continental tectonics. This involves the integration of gravity, magnetic and seismic data.

Research Interests

  • Rifting and basin formation
  • gravity and magnetic compilations and interpretations

Publications

  • Salem, A; Lei, KX; Green, C; Fairhead, JD; Stanley, G (2010) Removal of cultural noise from high-resolution aeromagnetic data using a two stage equivalent source approach, EXPLOR GEOPHYS, 41, pp.163-169. doi:10.1071/EG09047
  • Daho, SAB; Mendas, A; Fairhead, JD; Derkaoui, A (2009) Impact of the new GRACE Geopotential Model and SRTM data on the geoid modelling in Algeria, J GEODYN, 47, pp.63-71. doi:10.1016/j.jog.2008.07.006
  • Maus, S; Barckhausen, U; Berkenbosch, H; Bournas, N; Brozena, J; Childers, V; Dostaler, F; Fairhead, JD; Finn, C; von Frese, RRB; Gaina, C; Golynsky, S; Kucks, R; Luhr, H; Milligan, P; Mogren, S; Muller, RD; Olesen, O; Pilkington, M; Saltus, R; Schreckenberger, B; Thebault, E; Tontini, FC (2009) EMAG2: A 2-arc min resolution Earth Magnetic Anomaly Grid compiled from satellite, airborne, and marine magnetic measurements, GEOCHEM GEOPHY GEOSY, 10, . doi:10.1029/2009GC002471
  • Salem, A; Williams, S; Fairhead, JD; Smith, R; Ravat, D (2008) Interpretation of magnetic data using tilt angle derivatives, Geophysics, 73, pp.L1-L10. doi:10.1190/1.2799992
  • Daho, SAB; Fairhead, JD; Zeggai, A; Ghezali, B; Derkaoui, A; Gourine, B; Khelifa, S (2008) New investigation on the choice of the tailored geopotential model for Algeria, J GEODYN, 45, pp.154-162. doi:10.1016/j.jog.2007.10.002
  • Daho, SAB; Fairhead, JD (2007) Accuracy assessment of the available geoid models in Algeria, COMPUT GEOSCI-UK, 33, pp.76-82. doi:10.1016/j.cageo.2006.05.009
  • Maus, S; Sazonova, T; Hemant, K; Fairhead, JD; Ravat, D (2007) National Geophysical Data Center candidate for the World Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map, GEOCHEM GEOPHY GEOSY, 8, . doi:10.1029/2007GC001643
  • Salem, A; Williams, S; Fairhead, JD; Ravat, D; Smith, R (2007) Tilt-depth method: a simple depth estimation method using first-order magnetic derivatives, The Leading Edge, pp.1502-1505.
  • Daho, SAB; Kahlouche, S; Fairhead, JD (2006) A procedure for modelling the differences between the gravimetric geoid model and GPS/levelling data with an example in the north part of Algeria, COMPUT GEOSCI-UK, 32, pp.1733-1745. doi:10.1016/j.cageo.2006.04.003
  • Fairhead, JD (2005) Rethinking exploration strategy first, Petroleum World (London), .
  • Fairhead, JD; Wilson, M (2005) Plate tectonic processes in the South Atlantic Ocean: do we need deep mantle plumes?, In: Foulger; R, G; Natland; H, J; Presnall; C, D; Anderson; L, D (Ed) Plates, plumes and paradigms, Geological Society of America Special Paper , Geological Society of America, pp.537-553.
  • Eagles, G; Livermore, RA; Fairhead, JD; Morris, P (2005) Tectonic evolution of the west Scotia Sea, J GEOPHYS RES-SOL EA, 110, . doi:10.1029/2004JB003154
  • Bansal, AR; Fairhead, JD; Green, CM; Fletcher, KMU (2005) Revised gravity for offshore India and the isostatic compensation of submarine features, TECTONOPHYSICS, 404, pp.1-22. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2005.03.017
  • Williams, SE; Fairhead, JD; Flanagan, G (2005) Comparison of grid Euler deconvolution with and without 2D constraints using a realistic 3D magnetic basement model, GEOPHYSICS, 70, pp.L13-L21.
  • Mushayandebvu, MF; Lesur, V; Reid, AB; Fairhead, JD (2004) Grid Euler deconvolution with constraints for 2D structures, GEOPHYSICS, 69, pp.489-496. doi:10.1190/1.1707069
  • Stone, V; Fairhead, JD; Oterdoom, WH; Carigali, P (2004) The meter reader: Micro-magnetic seep detection in the Sudan, Leading Edge, 23, pp.734-737. doi:10.1190/1.1786893
  • Verduzco, B; Fairhead, JD; Green, CM; MacKenzie, C; Chris, CM (2004) The meter reader: New insights into magnetic derivatives for structural mapping, Leading Edge, 23, pp.116-119. doi:10.1190/1.1651454
  • Fairhead, JD; Green, CM; Fletcher, KMU (2004) Hydrocarbon screening of the deep continental margins using non-seismic methods, First Break, 22, pp.59-64.
  • Verduzco, B; Fairhead, JD; Green, CM; MacKenzie, C (2004) New insights into magnetic derivatives for structural mapping, Leading Edge, 23, pp.116-119. doi:10.1190/1.1651454
  • Fairhead, JD; Maus, S (2003) CHAMP satellite and terrestrial magnetic data help define the tectonic model for South America and resolve the lingering problem of the pre-break-up fit of the South Atlantic Ocean, Leading Edge, 22, pp.779-783. doi:10.1190/1.1605081
  • Fairhead, JD; Green, CM; Blitzkow, D (2003) The use of GPS in gravity surveys, Leading Edge, 22, pp.954-959. doi:10.1190/1.1623636
  • Fairhead, JD; Odegard, M (2002) The Meter Reader - Advances in gravity survey resolution, Leading Edge, 21, pp.36-37. doi:10.1190/1.1445845
  • Fairhead, JD; Green, CM; Odegard, M (2001) Satellite-derived gravity having an impact on marine exploration, Leading Edge, 20, pp.873-876. doi:10.1190/1.1487298
  • Nnange, JM; Poudjom Djomani, YH; Fairhead, JD; Ebinger, CJ (2001) Determination of the isostatic compensation mechanism of the region of the Adamawa Dome, West Central Africa using the admittance technique of gravity data, African Journal of Science and Technology. Series A. Technology, 1, pp.29-35.
  • Mushayandebvu, MF; van Driel, P; Reid, AB; Fairhead, JD (2001) Magnetic source parameters of two-dimensional structures using extended Euler deconvolution, GEOPHYSICS, 66, pp.814-823.
  • Fairhead, JD; Green, CM; Dickson, WG (2001) Oil exploration from space: fewer places to hide, First Break, 19, pp.514-519.
  • Zhang, C; Mushayandebvu, MF; Reid, AB; Fairhead, JD; Odegard, M (2000) Euler deconvolution of gravity tensor gradient data, Geophysics, 65, pp.512-520.
  • Poudjom Djomani, YH; Fairhead, JD; Griffin, WL (1999) The flexural rigidity of Fennoscandia: reflection of the tectonothermal age of the lithospheric mantle, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 174, pp.139-154.
  • Watts, AB; Fairhead, JD (1999) A process-oriented approach to modelling the gravity signature of continental margins, Leading Edge, pp.258.
  • Vidotti, RM; Ebinger, CJ; Fairhead, JD (1998) Gravity signature of the western Paraná basin, Brazil, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 159, pp.117-132.
  • Maus, S; Green, CM; Fairhead, JD (1998) Improved ocean-geoid resolution from retracked ERS-1 satellite altimeter waveforms, Geophysical Journal International, 134, pp.243-253.
  • Fairhead, JD; Somerton, IW (1998) New insights into old data, Leading Edge, pp.71-72.
  • Green, CM; Fairhead, JD (1998) Satellite derived gravity: where we are and what next, Leading Edge, pp.77-79.
  • Watts, AB; Fairhead, JD (1997) Gravity anomalies and magmatism along the western continental margin of the British Isles, Journal of the Geological Society, 154, pp.523-529.
  • McKenzie, D; Fairhead, JD (1997) Estimates of the effective elastic thickness of the continental lithosphere from Bouguer and free air gravity anomalies, Journal of Geophysical Research, 102, pp.27523-27552.
  • Maus, S; Gordon, DRH; Fairhead, JD (1997) Curie-temperature depth estimation using a self-similar magnetization model, Geophysical Journal International, 129, pp.163-168.
  • Miranda, JV; Ebinger, CJ; Fairhead, JD (1997) Regional gravity and magnetic investigation of the Takutu Basin, Roraima - Brazil, Proceedings of the V International Congress of the Brazilian Geophysical Society, Sao Paulo, Brazil, pp.883-884.
  • Ibrahim, AE; Ebinger, CJ; Fairhead, JD (1996) Lithospheric extension northwest of the Central African Shear Zone in Sudan from potential field studies, Tectonophysics, 255, pp.79-97.