Prof David Gubbins

Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences

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

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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 (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
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
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
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; 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.
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.
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
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
Gubbins, D; Gibbons, SJ (2004) Low Pacific secular variation , 145, .
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
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
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.
Gubbins, D; Gibbons, S (2002) Three-dimensional dynamo waves in a sphere, GEOPHYS ASTRO FLUID, 96, pp.481-498. doi:10.1080/0309192021000037003
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 (2001) Free oscillations , In: Hancock, PL; Skinner, BL (Ed) Oxford Companion to the Earth, Oxford Companion to the Earth.
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.
Gubbins, D (2001) The Rayleigh number for convection in the Earth's core , PHYS EARTH PLANET IN, 128, pp.3-12.
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; 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.
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.
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.
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.
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) Fundamentals of Geophysics, by Lowrie, W., Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 110, pp.285-286.
Gubbins, D (1999) Editorship: Annales Geophysicae, Annales Geophysicae, .
Gubbins, D (1999) Editorship: Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, .
Gubbins, D (1999) Editorship: Journal of Geodynamics, Journal of Geodynamics, .
Gubbins, D (1999) The distinction between geomagnetic excursions and reversals, Geophysical Journal International, 137, pp.F1-F3.
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.
Lesur, V; Gubbins, D (1999) Evaluation of fast spherical transforms for geophysical applications, Geophysical Journal International, 139, pp.547-555.
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.
Gubbins, D (1997) The Earth's inner core: its discovery and other surprises, Astronomy & Geophysics, 38, pp.15-18.
Houseman, GA; Gubbins, D (1997) Deformation of subducted oceanic lithosphere, Geophysical Journal International, 131, pp.535-551.
Kelly, P; Gubbins, D (1997) The geomagnetic field over the past 5 million years, Geophysical Journal International, 128, pp.315-330.
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.
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.
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.
Love, JJ; Gubbins, D (1996) Dynamos driven by poloidal flows exist, Geophysical Research Letters, 23, pp.857-860.
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.
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.