Dr. Alison Leitch

 

Associate Professor
Department of Earth Sciences
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John’s, NL A1B 3X5 Canada
709.864.3305
aleitch@mun.ca

With a background in physics, geophysics and magma dynamics, I have broad interests in the field and laboratory. Recent projects involve environmental studies and investigations of traditional and non-traditional geological targets using a range of geophysical techniques.

Mini-bio:

  • Associate Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University (2005-)
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University (2000-04)
  • Teaching Post-doctoral Fellow, Memorial University (1998-00)
  • Research Fellow, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University (1992-98)
  • Research Fellow, Minnesota Supercomputer Institute, University of Minnesota (1988-91)
  • Post-doctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto (1986-87)
  • Post-doctoral Fellow, Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Toronto (1985)
  • Ph.D. Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University (1986)
  • B.Sc. (Honours) Physics, Australian National University (1979)


Teaching

  • 3172 Electric and Electromagnetic Methods in Geophysics
  • 3420 Global Tectonic Processes
  • 4105 Field Course in Applied Geophysics
  • 3170 Seismic and Potential Fields Methods in Geophysics
  • 2100 Subsurface Geosceicne for Environmental & Humanitarian Challenges
  • 2150 The Solar System
  • 1000 Earth Systems
  • 6040 Igneous Petrogenesis

Publications

Published papers (*=my student)
  1. Leitch, A.M. and Davies, G.F. 2001 "Mantle plumes and flood basalts: Enhanced melting from plume ascent and an eclogite component", J. Geophys. Res., 106, 2047-2060.
  2.  Leitch, A.M. and Weinberg, R.F. 2002 "Modelling granite migration by mesoscale pervasive flow", Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 200, 131-146.
  3. Leitch, A.M. 2004 "Analog experiments on melting and contamination at the roof and walls of magma chambers", J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 129, 173-197.
  4.  Kerr, A. and Leitch, A.M. 2005 "Self-Destructive Sulfide Segregation Systems and the Formation of High-Grade Magmatic Ore Deposits", Economic Geology, 100, 311-332.
  5.  Leitch, A.M. and *Boone, C.R. 2007, “A study of the SP geophysical technique in a campus setting”. Atlantic Geology, 43, 91-111.
  6.  Zavala, K., Leitch, A.M. and Fisher, G. 2011, “Silicic segregations of the Ferrar Dolerite Sills, Antarctica” Journal of Petrology, 52: 1927-1964.
  7. Kilfoil, G., *Blagdon, A., Leitch, A., Campbell, H., Irvine, M., Batterson, M., Roberts, G. and B. Baker, B. 2018, “The Application and Testing of Two Geophysical Methods (Direct-Current Resistivity and Ground-Penetrating Radar) as Part of the Coastal Monitoring Program to Assess Terrain Stability”, Current Research (2018) Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey, Report 18-1, pages 31-57.
  8. *Graham, B., Dunning, G. and Leitch, A.M. 2020,  “Magma Mushes of the Fogo Island Batholith : a Study of Magmatic Processes at Multiple Scales”, Journal of Petrology, Oct 27.
  9. *Flanagan, M., Leitch, A.M. and Wall, A. 2023, “Finding fault in a shear zone: a magnetic and drill core study in the Valentine Lake Property, Newfoundland, Canada”, Atlantic Geoscience, 59, 165-181.
Papers in revision
  1. Leitch, A.M., *Chen, J. and Rashid, H. “A tale of two ponds” (submitted to Atlantic Geosciences, June 2024).
Papers in Preparation
  1. Abbott, S.M., Leitch, A.M. and Wall, A. “A Gravity Survey over the Valentine Gold Project, West-Central Newfoundland, Canada” (for Economic Geology)
  2. Leitch, A., and *Lynch, N. “Geophysical Detection of Reducing Springs in the Tablelands Ophiolite, Newfoundland” (for Earth and Planetary Science Letters).
  3. *Wall, A., Leitch, A., Sparkes, G. and Farquharson, C., “Delineating the Alteration Zone at the Big Easy Low-Sulphidation Gold Prospect using Geophysical Methods” (for Economic Geology).
  4. *Blagdon, A.G., Leitch, A.M. and Kilfoil, G., “Geophysical Investigation of a Region of Landslide Vulnerability in Western Newfoundland, Canada”, (for Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics).
  5. Leitch, A.M., *Thistle, J. and Kilfoil, G., “Old and new gravity reference stations in St John’s Newfoundland”, (for Atlantic Geology).
Presentations (last 6 years)
  1. *Graham, B., Dunning, G. and Leitch, A., “Early Devonian Magmatism, NE Dunnage Zone, Newfoundland and the nature of basaltic to granitic additions to large magma chambers”, AGS Annual Meeting, Truro NS, Feb 23, 2018.
  2. *Abbott, S. and Leitch, A., “Magnetics and coring study of a newly discovered reducing spring in the Tablelands ophiolite”, AGS Annual Meeting, Truro NS, Feb 2-3, 2018.
  3. *Chen, J., Leitch, A. and Burden, E., “Sediment core analysis of a post-glacial lake over a mineral prospect, Eastern Newfoundland”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Feb 19-20, 2018.
  4. *Blagdon, A.B. and Leitch, A.M., “Geophysical Study of an Abandoned Tailings Dam, Gullbridge, Central Newfoundland”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Feb 19-20, 2018. *(Best poster award.)
  5. *Chen, J., Leitch, A., Burden, E. and Finch, C. “Lake sediment core analysis over a gold prospect, Eastern Newfoundland”, 9th PDAC-SEG Student Minerals Colloquium, March 3-7, 2018.* (3rd place, MSc student posters.)
  6. *Blagdon, A.B. and Leitch, A.M., “Geophysical Investigation of the Gullbridge Tailings Facility, Central Newfoundland”, 9th PDAC-SEG Student Minerals Colloquium, March 3-7, 2018.
  7. *Abbott, S.M. and Leitch, A.M. “A gravity study of the Valentine Lake Gold Property, west-central Newfoundland”, GAC MAC Annual Meeting (online), Nov 1-3, 2021
  8. Leitch, A.M. “Seeking seeps with geophysics in Blow Me Down Massif, western Newfoundland”, AGS Annual Meeting (online), Feb 11-12, 2022.
  9. *Arshian, M. and Leitch, A.M. “Geophysical and geomorphological monitoring of coastal erosion of Bread and Cheese site, Bay Bulls town, Newfoundland, Canada”, AGS Annual Meeting (online), Feb 11-12, 2022.
  10. *Arshian, M. and Leitch, A.M. “Geophysics over a vulnerable cliff-side road, Bay Bulls”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Feb 20-21, 2022.
  11. *Turanli, F.T. and Leitch, A.M. “Seeking hot and cold water in the Sandıklı graben, Turkiye”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Feb 20-21, 2022.
  12. Morrill P.L., Coxon, I.N., Cook, M., Ventura, T., Leitch, A., Poduska, K., White, N., LeGrow C., Honarvar, P., Gao B., Yulmetova, M.A., Mahdianpari M., English J., Gill M.J. “The SERP Research Program: The Study of Electrical Potential, Remote Sensing, and Preservation of Biosignatures at Sites of Serpentinization”, GAC MAC Annual Meeting, Halifax, May 15-18, 2022.
  13. *Arshian, M. and Leitch, A.M. “Three endangered sites on shoreline roads, Bay Bulls, Newfoundland”, GAC MAC Annual Meeting, Halifax, May 15-18, 2022.
  14. Leitch, A.M., *Abbott, S.M and Morrill, P.L. “Models of serpentinized fracture zones in the Tablelands, Bay of Islands ophiolite complex, western Newfoundland”, GAC MAC Annual Meeting, Halifax, May 15-18, 2022.
  15. Morrill P.L., Coxon, I.N., Cook, M., Ventura, G., Leitch, A., Poduska, K., White, N., LeGrow C., Gao B., Yulmetova, M.A., Mahdianpari M., English J., Gill M.J. “The Study of Electrical Potential, Remote Sensing, and Preservation of Biosignatures at Sites of Serpentinization (SERP)”, Goldschmidt Conference, Lyon, France, July 9-14, 2023.
  16. *Arshian, M. and Leitch, A. “Geophysical and geomorphological monitoring of three sites prone to coastal erosion, Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, Canada”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Apr 25-26, 2023.
  17. *Dendup, T., Farquharson, C.G. and Leitch, A. “Geophysical study of the historical landfill at Wishingwell Park”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Apr 25-26, 2023.
  18. *Malone, A., Leitch, A. and Farquharson, C. “A geophysical investigation of coastal erosion: Manuels, Conception Bay South”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Apr 25-26, 2023.
  19. *Dendup, T., Farquharson, C.G. and Leitch, A. “Geophysical study of the historical landfill at Wishingwell Park”, NL GAC Annual Spring Meeting, St John’s NL, Feb 21-22, 2024.
  20. *Abbasian, L., Leitch, A. and Butt, S. “Development of a Methodology to Measure Electromagnetic Wave Velocity for High-Accuracy Time-Depth Conversion in Mineral Exploration”, RockEng 2025, 23rd Canadian Rock Mechanics Symposium, Ecole de Technologie Superieure, Montreal, QC, Aug 17-19, 2025.

Famous Field Flubs

We learn by experience. Here are some lessons learned. Student names withheld to protect the embarrassed (you know who you are).

  • Student A: When transporting gravimeter by snowmobile, secure it carefully. It doesn’t like being dropped in the snow.
  • Student B: When taking a job as a field assistant, ensure proper footwear beforehand. Sneakers are not good in bogs.
  • Professor & Student C: If van seems to be stuck on a sheet of ice, check the parking brake is off before asking for a tow.
  • Student D: When undertaking winter fieldwork, ensure proper footwear beforehand. Sneakers are no good at -20 C.
  • Student A: Do not attach a sled to a snowmobile with zip ties. Wooden GPR sled was reduced to matchsticks.
  • Professor: Check there is data storage space on magnetometer before sending student on day-long hike to collect data.
  • Students E&F: Do not place the gravimeter on its side in the trunk of a car. It has to be kept upright at all times to avoid months of PTSD.
  • Students C&G: Don’t forget a proper hat when heading off to the field on a sunny day.
  • Professor: Attach extension piece for bog-corer properly to avoid sinking sampler in metre of stinking bog, requiring students to dig it up by hand (gagging).
  • Professor: Do not forget to pick up hard-won bog core samples when leaving a remote site.
  • Student H: Don’t forget to pack a lunch and water when heading off to the field for a day.

Recent Research Projects

 click here to see my recent projects!