Thomas Sheldrake

Thomas Sheldrake is an SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellow (Assistant Professor) at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva. His research focuses on magmatic processes, volcanic systems, and geochronological methods with applications to understanding eruption dynamics and tectonic interactions. He specializes in integrating geochemical, petrological, and computational approaches to study magma evolution and volcanic hazards.

Research interests include:

• Magmatic system evolution and eruption triggers
• Zircon-based geochronology and petrochronology
• Volcanic crystal records of magma storage and degassing
• Remote sensing of volcanic structures using micro-CT
• Statistical modeling of volcanic eruption data

His work spans field-based studies in the Caribbean, Iceland, and Italy, alongside computational methods for mineral analysis. Notable contributions include linking sea-level changes to magmatic pulses during the Messinian crisis and developing zircon age spectra techniques for magma evolution quantification. His recent 2025 study on Caribbean coral porosity demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches bridging geology and environmental science.

Scientific Awards:

• SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship

Research collaborations involve institutions globally, with frequent co-authorship on topics ranging from Holuhraun eruption geochemistry to Saint Kitts volcanic stratigraphy. His work emphasizes bridging fundamental geoscience with applied volcanic hazard assessment.