Peter D. Clift, PhD
Professor of Geology
Dr. Peter D. Clift is a marine geologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh. His research interests include the tectonics and sedimentary systems of South and SE Asia, climatic and anthropogenic impacts on the environment in monsoonal Asia, solid earth-climate interactions, sedimentation and tectonics in active margins. He has published extensively in leading academic journals and has been invited to speak at numerous international conferences.
Research Interests
I specialize in research and teaching related to the marine geology, tectonics and petroleum systems of South and SE Asia. My research addresses climatic and anthropogenic impacts on environment in Monsoonal Asia, over geological and historical time scales, including Geoarchaeology. I undertake this work through analysis of the sedimentary record, often recovered from the oceans by scientific drilling. I have a particular interest in Solid Earth-Climate interactions in Asia and the relationship between geology and the Asian Monsoon. I also research sedimentation and tectonics in active margins, as well as the origin and maintenance of the continental crust. I am currently working on a new project looking at how chemical weathering in SE Asia impacts the global atmospheric carbon budget through absorbing carbon dioxide, especially in New Guinea.