Jon Kirby

Jon Kirby is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Macquarie University. His academic career spans over 25 years of research in geophysics, geodesy, and related earth science disciplines, with a particular focus on advanced mathematical and spectral methods applied to geophysical problems.

Dr. Kirby's research interests encompass a wide range of topics including geophysics, geodesy, gravity data analysis, lithospheric mechanics, wavelet transforms, and isostasy. His work demonstrates a consistent focus on developing and applying advanced mathematical techniques to understand the mechanical properties of the Earth's lithosphere, particularly through spectral analysis methods.

His extensive publication record shows a strong emphasis on the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere, gravity-topography relationships, and advanced spectral methods including wavelet and Fourier transforms. Kirby has made significant contributions to the understanding of lithospheric strength across various tectonic settings including continental interiors, subduction zones, and Antarctica.

Dr. Kirby has been particularly active in developing and refining methods for analyzing the relationship between gravity and topography to infer lithospheric properties, with numerous publications on multitaper spectral estimation, wavelet coherence methods, and the practical application of these techniques to real-world geophysical problems across diverse regions including Australia, North America, South America, and Antarctica.