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Staff Profiles

Dr David McNamara

PhD

Contact Details

Lecturer
Earth & Ocean Sciences
A205

T: 091493069
F: +35391493069
E: david.d.mcnamara@nuigalway.ie
W: Twitter: @mcnamadd Facebook: @mcnamadd Wordpress: https://mcnamadd.wordpress.com/author/mcnamadd/
Lecturer (Fixed Term)
E: DAVID.D.MCNAMARA@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

David McNamara graduated with a BA (Mod) in Natural Sciences from Trinity College Dublin in 2005. From there David went on to complete his PhD at the University of Liverpool in 2009 working to understand the micro-deformation processes of high grade eclogite metamorphic rocks in the Italian Alps.

After finishing his PhD, David took a position as a scientist in the Natural Resources Division of the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, New Zealand. There David worked on developing an expertise in geothermal borehole logging and geomechanics which he used to assist government agencies and energy companies develop geothermal resources in New Zealand, the USA, Indonesia, and the Philippines. David’s research in subsurface structural characterisation led to his involvement with the New Zealand Deep Fault Drilling Program, drilling into the Alpine Fault in order to understand the architecture and assess the earthquake risk of this large plate bounding structure. In the last few years David’s geomechanics research has also evolved towards understanding the structural nature of New Zealand’s potential unconventional petroleum resources, the role faults play in CO2 capture and storage, as well as the mechanics of slow slip earthquakes along the Hikurangi subduction margin in New Zealand. 

In addition to his research David has also worked to highlight and support the development of Early Career Researchers as a previous Chair of the Wellington Early Career Researchers, the Founding Chair of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s ECR Forum, and as a former member of the Royal Society of New Zealand Council. 

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2017) 'Quantitative geometric description of fracture systems in an andesite lava flow using terrestrial laser scanner data'
Massiot, C; Nicol, A; Townend, J; McNamara, D; Garcia-Selles, D; Conway, C; Archibald, G (2017) 'Quantitative geometric description of fracture systems in an andesite lava flow using terrestrial laser scanner data'. Journal Of Volcanology And Geothermal Research, 341 :315-331 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Damaged beyond repair? Characterising the damage zone of a fault late in its interseismic cycle, the Alpine Fault, New Zealand'
J N Williams, V G Toy, C Massiot, D D McNamara, T Wang (2016) 'Damaged beyond repair? Characterising the damage zone of a fault late in its interseismic cycle, the Alpine Fault, New Zealand'. Journal Of Structural Geology, 90 :76-94 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Calcite sealing in a fractured geothermal reservoir: Insights from combined EBSD and chemistry mapping'
McNamara, DD;Lister, A;Prior, DJ (2016) 'Calcite sealing in a fractured geothermal reservoir: Insights from combined EBSD and chemistry mapping'. Journal Of Volcanology And Geothermal Research, 323 :38-52 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Analysis of the favorability for geothermal fluid flow in 3D: Astor Pass geothermal prospect, Great Basin, northwestern Nevada, USA'
Siler, DL;Faulds, JE;Mayhew, B;McNamara, DD (2016) 'Analysis of the favorability for geothermal fluid flow in 3D: Astor Pass geothermal prospect, Great Basin, northwestern Nevada, USA'. Geothermics, 60 :1-12 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'A review of the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, New Zealand'
McNamara, DD;Sewell, S;Buscarlet, E;Wallis, IC (2016) 'A review of the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, New Zealand'. Geothermics, 59 :281-293 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Processing and analysis of high temperature geothermal acoustic borehole image logs in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand'
Massiot, C;McNamara, DD;Lewis, B (2015) 'Processing and analysis of high temperature geothermal acoustic borehole image logs in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand'. Geothermics, 53 :190-201 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Heterogeneity of structure and stress in the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, New Zealand'
McNamara, DD;Massiot, C;Lewis, B;Wallis, IC (2015) 'Heterogeneity of structure and stress in the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, New Zealand'. Journal Of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth, 120 :1243-1262 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Late-interseismic state of a continental plate-bounding fault: Petrophysical results from DFDP-1 wireline logging and core analysis, Alpine Fault, New Zealand'
Townend, J;Sutherland, R;Toy, VG;Eccles, JD;Boulton, C;Cox, SC;McNamara, D (2013) 'Late-interseismic state of a continental plate-bounding fault: Petrophysical results from DFDP-1 wireline logging and core analysis, Alpine Fault, New Zealand'. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 14 :3801-3820 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Fabrics produced mimetically during static metamorphism in retrogressed eclogites from the Zermatt-Saas zone, Western Italian Alps'
McNamara, DD;Wheeler, J;Pearce, M;Prior, DJ (2012) 'Fabrics produced mimetically during static metamorphism in retrogressed eclogites from the Zermatt-Saas zone, Western Italian Alps'. Journal Of Structural Geology, 44 :167-178 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Quantitative analysis of EBSD data in rocks and other crystalline materials: Investigation of strain induced recrystallisation and growth of new phases'
Wheeler, J;Mariani, E;Piazolo, S;Prior, DJ;Trimby, PJ;Drury, MR;McNamara, D;Pearce, MA (2012) 'Quantitative analysis of EBSD data in rocks and other crystalline materials: Investigation of strain induced recrystallisation and growth of new phases'. Materials Science Forum, 715-716 :62-71 [DOI] [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2015) 'This Land of Ours: Green Mining'
D Craw, K J Bland, M McWilliams, D D McNamara, A Sherwood (2015) 'This Land of Ours: Green Mining' In: A Continent on the Move. New Zealand: Potton and Burton. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2016) New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2016
D D McNamara, C Massiot (2016) Geothermal structural geology in New Zealand: Innovative Characterisation and micro-analytical techniques New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2016 University of Auckland, [Details]
(2016) 41st Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
D D McNamara, S Bannister, P Villamor, F Sepúlveda, S D Milicich, S Alcaraz, C Massiot (2016) Exploring Structure and Stress from Depth to Surface in the Wairakei Geothermal Field, New Zealand 41st Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, [DOI] [Details]
(2015) New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2015
W M Kissling, S E Ellis, D McNamara, C Massiot (2015) Modelling Fluid Flow Through Fractured Rock: Examples Using TVZ Geothermal Reservoirs New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2015 Taupo, [Details]
(2015) World Geothermal Congress 2015
S F Milloy, K McLean, D D McNamara (2015) Comparing Borehole Televiewer Logs with Continuous Core: An Example from New Zealand World Geothermal Congress 2015 Melbourne, [DOI] [Details]
(2015) World Geothermal Congress 2015
P Villamor, K Clark, M Watson, M Rosenberg, B Lukovic, W Ries, Á González, S D Milicich, D D McNamara, B Pummer, F Sepulveda (2015) New Zealand Geothermal Power Plants as Critical Facilities: an Active Fault Avoidance Study in the Wairakei Geothermal Field, New Zealand World Geothermal Congress 2015 Melbourne, [DOI] [Details]
(2015) World Geothermal Congress 2015
C Massiot, D D McNamara, A Nicol, J Townend (2015) Fracture Width and Spacing Distributions from Borehole Televiewer Logs and Cores in the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, New Zealand World Geothermal Congress 2015 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 34th GOCAD Meeting
C Massiot, D D McNamara, A Nicol, G Archibald, J Townend (2014) Fracture geometries and processes in andesites at Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand: implications for the fracture modelling of the Rotokawa Geothermal Field 34th GOCAD Meeting Nancy, France, [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 36th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop
J Pogacnik, D D McNamara, M O'Sullivan, J P O'Sullivan (2014) A Damage Mechanics Approach to Modeling Failure in Greywacke Rock 36th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop Auckland, [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 39th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
D D McNamara, D Faulkner, E McCarney (2014) Rock Properties of Greywacke Basement Hosting Geothermal Reservoirs, New Zealand: Preliminary Results 39th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, [DOI] [Details]
(2012) New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2012
C Massiot, D McNamara, B Lewis, L Price, G Bignall (2012) Statistical corrections of fracture sampling bias in boreholes from acoustic televiewer logs New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2012 Auckland, [DOI] [Details]
(2012) New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2012
J Davidson, P Siratovich, I Wallis, D Gravley, D McNamara (2012) Quantifying the stress distribution at the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, New Zealand New Zealand Geothermal Workshop 2012 Auckland, [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 37th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
I Wallis, D McNamara, J Rowland, C Massiot (2012) The nature of fracture permeability in the basement greywacke at Kawerau Geothermal Field, New Zealand 37th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 36th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
K McLean, D McNamara (2011) Fractures interpreted from acoustic formation imaging technology: Correlation to permeability 36th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, [DOI] [Details]
(2008) Seminarios de la Sociedad Espanola de Mineralogıa
E Mariani, DJ Prior, D McNamara, MA Pearce, N Seaton, G Seward, D Tatham, J Wheeler (2008) Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in the SEM: applications to microstructures in minerals and rocks and recent technological advancements Seminarios de la Sociedad Espanola de Mineralogıa [DOI] [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2016) Methods and techniques employed to monitor and manage carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) induced seismicity.
McNamara D D (2016) Methods and techniques employed to monitor and manage carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) induced seismicity. GNS Science, New Zealand. [DOI] [Details]
(2016) Fault Permeability.
Nicol A, Seebeck H, McNamara D D, Field B (2016) Fault Permeability. IEAGHG, United Kingdom. [Details]
(2013) A Structural Review of the Wairakei-Tauhara Geothermal Field.
D D McNamara, C Massiot, B Lewis (2013) A Structural Review of the Wairakei-Tauhara Geothermal Field. GNS Science, New Zealand. [DOI] [Details]
(2013) Interpretive review of the acoustic borehole image logs acquired to date in the Wairakei-Tauhara Geothermal Field.
C Massiot, D D McNamara, B Lewis (2013) Interpretive review of the acoustic borehole image logs acquired to date in the Wairakei-Tauhara Geothermal Field. GNS Science, New Zealand. [DOI] [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2016) 'Feasibility of storing carbon dioxide on a tectonically active margin: New Zealand'
B Field, M J Lawrence, A Nicol, D McNamara, M J a]Arnot, (2016) 'Feasibility of storing carbon dioxide on a tectonically active margin: New Zealand' Petroleum Abstracts, 56 (6) . [Details]
(2013) 'An Energy-Driven Geologist'
D D McNamara (2013) 'An Energy-Driven Geologist' New Zealand Science Review, 70 (1) . [Details]

Article

  Year Publication
(2014) Advancements in 3D Structural Analysis of Geothermal Systems.
D L Siler, J E Faulds, B Mayhew, D McNamara (2014) Advancements in 3D Structural Analysis of Geothermal Systems. Article [Details]
(2012) Omphacite-a mineral under pressure!.
D D McNamara (2012) Omphacite-a mineral under pressure!. Article [DOI] [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2016 Invited Panellist at the New Zealand Association of Scientists Conference New Zealand Association of Scientists
2016 Keynote Speaker at the New Zealand Geothermal Workshop The Geothermal Institute of Auckland
2015 Invited Author of a Geothermics Special Issue Geothermics Journal
2015 Visiting Lecturer at Hokkaido University Hokkaido University, Japan
2014 Honorary Research Associate at Victoria University Wellington Victoria University Wellington
2014 Invited Speaker at Pecha Kucha Wellington Wellington Early Career Researchers
2013 Invited Speaker at the New Zealand Association of Scientists Conference New Zealand Association of Scientists
2012 Invited Participant at the Transit of Venus Forum The Royal Society of New Zealand
2012 Keynote Speaker at the United States / New Zealand Joint Geothermal Workshop University of Canterbury
2011 Royal Society of New Zealand President’s Award Royal Society of New Zealand
2007 Postgraduate Travel Bursary University of Liverpool
2006 Postgraduate Travel Bursary University of Liverpool
2006 Postgraduate Conference Bursary Tectonic Studies Group
2003 Edge Prize for Geology Trinity College Dublin

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
NUI Galway Lecturer 02-JAN-17 /
GNS Science Senior Scientist 01-JUL-16 / 11-NOV-16
GNS Science Research Scientist 10-AUG-09 / 30-JUN-16

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2005 Trinity College Dublin Bachelor of Arts Science (Mod Geology)
2009 University of Liverpool PhD How do eclogues deform in subduction and collision zone? - An Alpine study

Languages

  Language
English

Reviews

  Journal Role
Geothermics Reviewer
Geofluids Reviewer
Journal Of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth Reviewer