School of Earth and Environment

David Gubbins Prof David Gubbins

Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences

Email address: d.gubbins@leeds.ac.uk

Link to personal page

Biography

Did Physics at Cambridge and a PhD on "Geomagnetic Dynamos", in the Department of Geodesy and Geophysics, Cambridge. His main research interest remains the origin of the Earth's magnetic field and PhD projects are offered this year in both observational and theoretical aspects of geomagnetism. A comprehensive dataset of magnetic observations from the last 400 years has been collected and resides on the computer system in the School; it is still being added to and provides the basis for several research studies. The research emphasis is now moving towards understanding long term behaviour of the magnetic field through dynamo models and interpretation of the paleomagnetic record.

Further interests are in seismology and all aspects of theoretical geophysics, both pure and applied.

Research Interests

  • Geomagnetism
  • theoretical seismology
  • subduction zones
  • inverse theory

Publications

  • Gubbins D; Davies CJ (2013) The stratified layer at the core-mantle boundary caused by barodiffusion of oxygen, sulphur and silicon, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 215, pp.21-28. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2012.11.001
  • Masterton SM; Gubbins D; Mueller RD; Singh KH (2013) Forward modelling of oceanic lithospheric magnetization, GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, 192, pp.951-962. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggs063
  • Pozzo M; Alfè D; Davies C; Gubbins D (2013) Transport properties for liquid silicon-oxygen-iron mixtures at Earth's core conditions, Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, 87, . doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.014110
  • Pozzo M; Alfè D; Davies C; Gubbins D (2012) Thermal and electrical conductivity of iron at Earth's core conditions, Nature, 485, pp.355-358. doi: 10.1038/nature11031
  • Pozzo M; Davies C; Gubbins D; Alfè D (2012) Thermal and electrical conductivity of iron at Earth's core conditions., Nature, 485, pp.355-358. doi: 10.1038/nature11031
  • Sreenivasan B; Gubbins D (2011) On mantle-induced heat flow variations at the inner core boundary, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 187, pp.336-341. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2011.06.006
  • Davies CJ; Gubbins D (2011) A buoyancy profile for the Earth's core, Geophysical Journal International, .
  • Laj C; Kissel C; Davies C; Gubbins D (2011) Geomagnetic field intensity and inclination records from Hawaii and the Reunion Island: Geomagnetic implications, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 187, pp.170-187. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2011.05.007
  • Davies CJ; Gubbins D (2011) A buoyancy profile for the Earth's core, GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, 187, pp.549-563. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05144.x
  • Gubbins D; Ivers D; Masterton SM; Winch DE (2011) Analysis of lithospheric magnetization in vector spherical harmonics, GEOPHYS J INT, 187, pp.99-117. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.5153.x
  • Gubbins D; Sreenivasan B; Mound J; Rost S (2011) Melting of the Earth's inner core., Nature, 473, pp.361-363. doi: 10.1038/nature10068
  • Davies CJ; Gubbins D; Jimack PK (2011) Scalability of pseudospectral methods for geodynamo simulations, CONCURR COMP-PRACT E, 23, pp.38-56. doi: 10.1002/cpe.1593
  • Gubbins D (2010) Terrestrial magnetism: Historical perspectives and future prospects: "Baggage we carry with us", Space Science Reviews, 155, pp.9-27. doi: 10.1007/s11214-010-9675-6
  • Pressline N; Trusdell FA; Gubbins D (2009) New and revised C dates for Hawaiian surface lava flows: Paleomagnetic and geomagnetic implications, Geophysical Research Letters, 36, . doi: 10.1029/2009GL037792
  • Gubbins D; Gibbons SJ (2009) Kinematic dynamo action in a sphere with weak differential rotation, GEOPHYS J INT, 177, pp.71-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2008.04085.x
  • Pressling N; Trusdell FA; Gubbins D (2009) New and revised C-14 dates for Hawaiian surface lava flows: Paleomagnetic and geomagnetic implications, GEOPHYS RES LETT, 36, . doi: 10.1029/2009GL037792
  • Davies CJ; Gubbins D; Jimack PK (2009) Convection in a rapidly rotating spherical shell with an imposed laterally varying thermal boundary condition, J FLUID MECH, 641, pp.335-358. doi: 10.1017/S0022112009991583
  • Gubbins D (2008) Implication of kinetic dynamo studies for the geodynamo , Geophysical Journal International, 173, pp.79-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03707.x
  • Sreenivasan B; Gubbins D (2008) Dynamos with weakly convecting outer layers: implications for core-mantle boundary interaction, GEOPHYS ASTRO FLUID, 102, pp.395-407. doi: 10.1080/03091920801900047
  • Gubbins D; Masters G; Nimmo F (2008) A thermochemical boundary layer at the base of Earth's outer core and independent estimate of core heat flux, GEOPHYS J INT, 174, pp.1007-1018. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2008.03879.x
  • Davies CJ; Gubbins D; Willis AP; Jimack PK (2008) Time-averaged paleomagnetic field and secular variation: Predictions from dynamo solutions based on lower mantle seismic tomography, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 169, pp.194-203. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2008.07.021
  • Gubbins D (2008) Implication of kinematic dynamo studies for the geodynamo, GEOPHYS J INT, 173, pp.79-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03707.x
  • Gubbins D (2008) Earth science: geomagnetic reversals., Nature, 452, pp.165-167. doi: 10.1038/452165a
  • Willis AP; Sreenivasan B; Gubbins D (2007) Thermal core-mantle interaction: Exploring regimes for 'locked' dynamo action, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 165, pp.83-92. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2007.08.002
  • Rowan-Robinson M; Priest ER; Gubbins D; Gubbins; Hide R; Hide; Roxburgh I; Lynden-Bell D; Barber G; Barber; Ward-Thompson D; Trayner C; Murdin PG; Murdin (2007) Meeting of the royal astronomical society: Friday 2007 February 9th at 16 00 in the Geological Society Lecture Theatre, Burlington House, Observatory, 127, pp.216-221.
  • Pressling N; Brown MC; Gratton MN; Shaw J; Gubbins D (2007) Microwave palaeointensities from Holocene age Hawaiian lavas: Investigation of magnetic properties and comparison with thermal palaeointensities, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 162, pp.99-118. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2007.03.007
  • Gubbins D; Willis AP; Sreenivasan B (2007) Correlation of Earth's magnetic field with lower mantle thermal and seismic structure, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 162, pp.256-260. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2007.04.014
  • Gubbins D; Jones AL; Finlay CC (2006) Fall in Earth's magnetic field is erratic., Science, 312, pp.900-902. doi: 10.1126/science.1124855
  • Pressling N; Laj C; Kissel C; Champion D; Gubbins D (2006) Palaeomagnetic intensities from C-14-dated lava flows on the Big Island, Hawaii: 0-21 kyr, EARTH PLANET SC LETT, 247, pp.26-40. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2006.04.026
  • Liao X; Zhang K; Gubbins D (2005) A multi-layered kinematic dynamo model: implications of a stratified upper layer in the Earth's core, GEOPHYS ASTRO FLUID, 99, pp.377-395.
  • Nimmo F; Price GD; Brodholt J; Gubbins D (2004) The influence of potassium on core and geodynamo evolution, Geophysical Journal International, 156, pp.363-376. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2003.02157.x
  • Willis AP; Gubbins D (2004) Kinematic dynamo action in a sphere: Effects of periodic time-dependent flows on solutions with axial dipole symmetry, GEOPHYS ASTRO FLUID, 98, pp.537-554. doi: 10.1080/03091920412331312402
  • Boddington T; Parkin CJ; Gubbins D (2004) Isolated deep earthquakes beneath the North Island of New Zealand, Geophysical Journal International, 158, pp.972-982. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2004.02340.x
  • Gubbins D; Gibbons SJ (2004) Low Pacific secular variation, 145, .
  • Gubbins D; Alfe D; Masters G; Price D; Gillan MJ (2004) Gross thermodynamics of two-component core convection, Geophysical Journal International, 157, pp.1407-1414. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2004.02219.x
  • Gubbins D (2004) John Arthur "Jack" Jacobs, 1916-2003 - Price Medallist and Gold Medallist of the RAS, geophysicist, inspiration to generations of Canadian and British scientists., ASTRON GEOPHYS, 45, pp.34-34.
  • Masters TG; Gubbins D (2003) On the resolution of density within the Earth, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 140, pp.159-167. doi: 10.1016/j.pepi.2003.07.008
  • Gubbins D; Alfe D; Masters G; Price D; Gillan MJ (2003) Can the Earth's dynamo run on heat alone?, Geophysical Journal International, 155, pp.609-622. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-246X.2003.02064.x
  • Gubbins D (2003) Thermal core-mantle interactions: theory and observations, pp.162-179.
  • Zhang K; Gubbins D (2002) Convection-driven hydromagnetic waves in planetary fluid cores, Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 36, pp.389-401. doi: 10.1016/S0895-7177(02)00133-4
  • Teanby N; Laj C; Gubbins D; Pringle M (2002) A detailed palaeointensity and inclination record from drill core SOH1 on Hawaii, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 131, pp.101-140.
  • Gubbins D; Gibbons S (2002) Three-dimensional dynamo waves in a sphere, GEOPHYS ASTRO FLUID, 96, pp.481-498. doi: 10.1080/0309192021000037003
  • Gubbins D (2001) The Rayleigh number for convection in the Earth's core, PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 128, pp.3-12.
  • Reading AM; Gubbins D; Mao WJ (2001) A multiphase seismic investigation of the shallow subduction zone, southern North Island, New Zealand, GEOPHYS J INT, 147, pp.215-226.
  • Reading AM; Mao W; Gubbins D (2001) Polarization filtering for automatic picking of seismic data and improved converted phase detection, Geophysical Journal International, 147, pp.227-234. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-246X.2001.00501.x
  • Gubbins D (2001) Free oscillations, In: Hancock PL; Skinner BL (Ed) Oxford Companion to the Earth, Oxford Companion to the Earth.
  • Lesur V; Gubbins D (2000) Using geomagnetic secular variation to separate remanent and induced sources of the crustal magnetic field, Geophysical Journal International, 142, pp.889-897.
  • Gubbins D; Barber CN; Gibbons S; Love JJ (2000) Kinematic dynamo action in a sphere II. Symmetry selection, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 456, pp.1669-1683.
  • Zhang E; Gubbins D (2000) Scale disparities and magnetohydrodynamics in the Earth's core, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 358, pp.899-920.
  • Gibbons S; Gubbins D (2000) Convection in the Earth's core driven by lateral variations in the core-mantle boundary heat flux, Geophysical Journal International, 142, pp.631-642.
  • Zhang K; Gubbins D (2000) Is the geodynamo process intrinsically unstable?, Geophysical Journal International, 140, pp.1-4.
  • Teanby N; Gubbins D (2000) The effects of aliasing and lock-in processes on paleosecular variation records from sediments, Geophysical Journal International, 142, pp.563-570.
  • Gubbins D; Barber CN; Gibbons S; Love JJ (2000) Kinematic dynamo action in a sphere. I. Effects of differential rotation and meridional circulation on solutions with axial dipole symmetry, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 456, pp.1333-1353.
  • Gubbins D (1999) Editorship: Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, .
  • Lodge RJE; Stiblov G; Gubbins D (1999) Fundamental leaking mode (PL) propagation along the Tonga-Kermadec-Hikurangi-Macquarie margin, Geophysical Journal International, 137, pp.675-690.
  • Gubbins D (1999) Editorship: Annales Geophysicae, Annales Geophysicae, .
  • Gubbins D (1999) Editorship: Journal of Geodynamics, Journal of Geodynamics, .
  • Gubbins D (1999) Fundamentals of Geophysics, by Lowrie, W., Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 110, pp.285-286.
  • Lesur V; Gubbins D (1999) Evaluation of fast spherical transforms for geophysical applications, Geophysical Journal International, 139, pp.547-555.
  • Gubbins D (1999) The distinction between geomagnetic excursions and reversals, Geophysical Journal International, 137, pp.F1-F3.
  • Gubbins D (1998) Pure and Applied Geophysics(Editorship), Pure and Applied Geophysics, .
  • Gubbins D; Love JJ (1998) Geomagnetic reversal transition fields: a test of 4-fold symmetry, Geophysical Research Letters, 25, pp.1079-1082.
  • Gubbins D (1998) Interpreteing the paleomagnetic field, 28, pp.167-182.
  • Kelly P; Gubbins D (1997) The geomagnetic field over the past 5 million years, Geophysical Journal International, 128, pp.315-330.
  • Houseman GA; Gubbins D (1997) Deformation of subducted oceanic lithosphere, Geophysical Journal International, 131, pp.535-551.
  • Gubbins D (1997) The Earth's inner core: its discovery and other surprises, Astronomy & Geophysics, 38, pp.15-18.
  • Gubbins D (1996) A formalism for the inversion of geomagnetic data for core motions with diffusion, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 98, pp.193-206.
  • Gubbins D (1996) Which way is north?, Physics World, 9, pp.39-44.
  • Gubbins D; Kelly P (1996) A difficulty with using the frozen flux hypothesis to find steady core motions, Geophysical Research Letters, 23, pp.1825-1828.
  • Gledhill K; Gubbins D (1996) SKS splitting and the seismic anisotropy of the mantle beneath the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, New Zealand, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 95, pp.227-236.
  • Zhang C; Gubbins D (1996) Convection in a rotating spherical fluid shell with and inhomogeneous temperature boundary condition at finite Prandtl number, Physics of Fluids, 8, pp.1141-1148.
  • Nformi SK; Mao W; Gubbins D (1996) Seismic source parameters in New Zealand from broadband data, Geophysical Journal International, 124, pp.289-303.
  • Love JJ; Gubbins D (1996) Optimized kinematic dynamos, Geophysical Journal International, 124, pp.787-800.
  • Sarson GR; Gubbins D (1996) Three-dimensional kinematic dynamos dominated by strong differential rotation, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 306, pp.223-265.
  • Love JJ; Gubbins D (1996) Dynamos driven by poloidal flows exist, Geophysical Research Letters, 23, pp.857-860.