Bruce Charlier

Areas of Responsibility

Day-to-day, I oversee the running of the Geochemistry Laboratories in SGEES. I am responsible for the smooth operation of three mass spectrometers and associated clean laboratories and infrastructure. I am also responsible for HSNO in the geochemistry facilities, and for training new users in mass spectrometry, isotope and trace element geochemistry and associated clean laboratory techniques.

I am a high temperature geochemist and my research is centred around several key aims. In particular, I develop new and innovative mass spectrometric and chemical techniques that allow me to study geological processes and timescales in a range of geological systems.  At the young end of the spectrum I am interested in timescales of magmatic processes at silicic volcanic centres (supervolcanoes) that can broadly be placed in the context of the evolution of large-scale geochemical reservoirs such as the continental crust.  At the very old end of the spectrum, I am interested in early solar system sciences. In particular, I apply state of the art geochemical analysis to the study of meteorites to attempt to understand the processes and timescales that formed the planets, asteroids and comets.

If you have an enquiry regarding use of our facilities or questions about my research, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Previous appointments

• Project Officer (Isotope Geochemistry), Faculty of Science, The Open University, UK
• Research Fellow, CEPSAR, The Open University, UK
• Visiting Research Fellow, Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems, The Open University, UK
• Application and Development Scientist (TIMS), Nu Instruments,  Wrexham, UK
• Research Fellow, Planetary and Space Science Research Institute, The Open University, UK.
• NERC Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, UK.
• Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, UK.
• Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham, UK.
• Research Assistant, U-Pb lab, NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, Keyworth, UK.

Education

• 2000:   Ph.D., Geology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
• 1994:   B.Sc.(Hons), Geology, Brunel University, London, UK

Publications

Milicich SD, Chambefort I, Wilson CJN, Charlier BLA, Tepley FJ (2018) The hydrothermal evolution of the Kawerau geothermal system, New Zealand. J Volcanol Geotherm Res accepted: in press

CJN Wilson CJN, Morgan DJ, Charlier BLA, Barker SJ (2017) Comment on “Rapid cooling and cold storage in a silicic magma reservoir recorded in individual crystals”. Science 358: 6370

Charlier BLA, Parkinson IJ, Burton KW, Grady MM, Wilson CJN, Smith EGC (2017) Stable strontium isotopic heterogeneity in the solar system from double-spike data. Geochem Perspec Lett 4:35-40

Barrett TJ, Mittlefehldt DW, Greenwood RC, Charlier BLA, Hammond SJ, Ross DK, Anand M, Franchi IA, Abernethy FAJ, Grady MM (2017) The mineralogy, petrology, and composition of anomalous eucrite Emmaville. Meteor Planet Sci 52: 656-668

Barrett TJ, Barnes JJ, Tartèse R, Anand M, Franchi IA, Greenwood RC, Charlier BLA, Grady MM (2016) The abundance and isotopic composition of water in eucrites Meteor Planet Sci 51:1110-1124

Wilson CJN, Charlier BLA (2016) The life and times of silicic volcanic systems. Elements 12:103-108

Pearce CR, Parkinson IJ, Gaillardet J, Charlier BLA, Mokadem F, Burton KW (2015) Reassessing the stable (δ^88/86Sr) and radiogenic (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) strontium isotopic composition of marine inputs. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 157:125-146

Barker SJ, Wilson CJN, Smith EGC, Charlier BLA, Wooden JL, Hiess J, Ireland TR (2014) Post-supereruption magmatic reconstruction of Taupo volcano (New Zealand), as reflected in zircon ages and trace elements. J Petrol 55:1511-1533

Chamberlain KJ, Wilson CJN, Wooden JL, Charlier BLA, Ireland TR (2014) New perspectives on the Bishop Tuff from zircon textures, ages and trace elements. J Petrol 55:395-426

Cooper GF, Wilson CJN, Wooden JL, Charlier BLA, Ireland TR (2014) Temporal evolution and compositional signatures of supervolcanic systems recorded in zircons from Mangakino Volcanic Centre, New Zealand. Contrib Mineral Petrol 167:1018

Milicich SD, Wilson CJN, Bignall G, Pezaro B, Charlier BLA, Wooden JL, Ireland TR (2013) U-Pb dating of zircon in hydrothermally altered rocks of the Kawerau geothermal field, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 253:97-113

Wilson CJN, Seward TM, Allan ASR, Charlier BLA, Bello L (2012) A comment on ‘TitaniQ under pressure: the effect of pressure and temperature on the solubility of Ti in quartz’, by Jay B Thomas, E Bruce Watson, Frank S Spear, Philip T Shemella, Saroj K Nayak and Antonio Lanzirotti. Contrib Mineral Petrol 164:359-368

Charlier BLA, Nowell GM, Parkinson IJ, Kelley SP, Pearson DG, Burton KW (2012) High-temperature stable strontium isotope (d⁸⁸Sr) fractionation in terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials. Earth Planet Sci Lett 329-330:31-40

Charlier BLA, Morgan DJ, Wilson CJN, Wooden JL, Allan ASR, Baker JA (2012) Lithium concentration gradients in feldspar and quartz record the final minutes of magma ascent in an explosive supereruption. Earth Planet Sci Lett 319-320:218-227

Wilson CJN, Charlier BLA, Rowland JV, Browne PRL (2010) U-Pb dating of zircon in subsurface, hydrothermally altered pyroclastic deposits and implications for subsidence in a magmatically active rift: Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 191:69-78

Charlier BLA, Wilson CJN (2010) Chronology and evolution of caldera-forming and post-caldera magma systems at Okataina volcano, New Zealand from zircon U-Th model-age spectra. J Petrol 51:1121-1141

Charlier BLA, Wilson CJN, Mortimer N (2010) Evidence from zircon U-Pb age spectra for crustal structure and felsic magma genesis at Taupo volcano, New Zealand. Geology 38:915-918

Wilson CJN, Charlier BLA (2009) Rapid rates of magma generation at contemporaneous magma systems, Taupo volcano, New Zealand: insights from U-Th model-age spectra in zircons. J Petrol 50:875-907

Wilson CJN, Charlier BLA, Fagan CJ, Spinks KD, Gravley DM, Simmons SF, Browne PRL (2008) U-Pb dating of zircon in hydrothermally altered rocks as a correlation tool: application to the Mangakino geothermal system, New Zealand. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 176:191-198

Charlier BLA, Wilson CJN, Davidson JP (2008) Rapid open-system assembly of a large silicic magma body: time-resolved evidence from cored plagioclase crystals in the Oruanui eruption deposits, New Zealand. Contrib Mineral Petrol 156:799-813

Davidson JP, Morgan DJ, Charlier BLA (2007) Isotopic microsampling of magmatic rocks. Elements 3:253-259

King J, Harris N, Argles T, Parrish R, Charlier B, Sherlock S (2007)First evidence of southward ductile flow of Asian crust beneath Southern Tibet. Geology 35:727-730

Bachmann O, Charlier BLA, Lowenstern JB (2007) Zircon crystallization and recycling in the magma chamber of the rhyolitic Kos Plateau Tuff (Aegean Arc).   Geology 35:73-76

Charlier BLA, Bachmann O, Davidson JP, Dungan MA, Morgan DJ (2007) The upper crustal evolution of a large silicic magma body: Evidence from crystal-scale Rb-Sr isotopic heterogeneities in the Fish Canyon magmatic system, Colorado. J Petrol 48:1875-1894

Davidson JP, Morgan DM, Charlier BLA, Harlou R, Hora JM (2007) Microsampling and isotopic analysis of igneous rocks: implications for the study of magmatic systems.  Ann Rev Earth Planet Sci 35:273-311

Davidson JP, Font L, Charlier BLA, Tepley FJ (2006) Mineral-scale Sr isotope variation in plutonic rocks – a tool for unravelling the evolution of magma systems.   Trans R Soc Edin – Earth Sci 97:357-367

Lowenstern JB, Charlier BLA,Clynne MA, Wooden JL (2006) Extreme U-Th disequilibrium in rift-related basalts, rhyolites and granites and the timing of magma generation, intrusion and crystallisation at Alid Volcanic Center, Eritrea.  J Petrol 47:2105-2122

Charlier BLA, Ginibre C, Morgan D, Nowell G, Pearson DG, Davidson JP, Ottley CJ  (2006) Methods for the microsampling and high-precision analysis of strontium and rubidium isotopes at single crystal scale for petrological and geochronological applications. Chem Geol 232:114-133

Wilson CJN, Blake S, Charlier BLA, Sutton AN (2006) The 26.5 ka Oruanui eruption, Taupo volcano, New Zealand: development, characteristics and evacuation of a large rhyolitic magma body. J Petrol 47:35-69

Zellmer GF, Annen C, Charlier BLA, George RMM, Turner SP, Hawkesworth CJ  (2005) Magma evolution and ascent at volcanic arcs: constraining petrogenetic processes through rates and chronologies. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 140:171-191

Charlier BLA, Wilson CJN, Lowenstern JB, Blake S, van Calsteren PW, Davidson JP (2005) Magma generation at a large, hyperactive silicic volcano (Taupo, New Zealand) revealed by U/Th and U/Pb systematics in zircons. J Petrol 46:3-32

Davidson J, Charlier B, Hora JM, Perlroth R (2005) Mineral isochrons and isotopic fingerprinting: Pitfalls and promises. Geology 33:29-32

Charlier BLA, Peate DW, Wilson CJN, Lowenstern JB, Storey M, Brown SJA (2003) Crystallisation ages in coeval silicic magma bodies: U-Th disequilibrium evidence from the Rotoiti and Earthquake Flat eruption deposits, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. Earth Planet Sci Lett 206:441-457

Charlier BL, Zellmer GF (2000) Some remarks on U-Th mineral ages from igneous rocks with prolonged crystallisation histories. Earth Planet Sci Lett 183:457-469

Sutton AN, Blake S, Wilson CJN, Charlier BLA (2000) Late Quaternary evolution of a hyperactive rhyolite magmatic system: Taupo volcanic centre, New Zealand. J Geol Soc Lond 157:537-552