Michelle Harris

Dr Michelle Harris is an Associate Professor in Earth Sciences at the University of Plymouth, leading the Centre for Research in Earth Sciences (CRES) and serving on the Marine Institute Strategy Board. Her research focuses on oceanic crust processes, hydrothermal systems, and crustal alteration dynamics. She has supervised five PhD students exploring topics like seafloor hydrothermal systems, CO2 sequestration in peridotites, and ophiolite studies.

Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) through investigations into marine geology and crustal fluid dynamics. Key research sites include ODP Hole 1256D, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Juan de Fuca Ridge, and Macquarie Island ophiolite. Major expeditions include IODP Expeditions 335 and 327 targeting superfast-spreading crust and ridge-flank hydrogeology.

Research interests span crustal accretion mechanisms, hydrothermal fluid flow pathways, metal mobility in submarine systems, and crustal oxidation processes. She employs Sr isotope tracing, U/Pb geochronology, and integrated geophysical/sampling approaches. Recent studies emphasize the role of oceanic core complexes in shaping crustal architecture and global biogeochemical cycles.

Michelle’s work bridges field observations, laboratory analyses, and numerical modeling to address how tectonic processes drive crustal evolution and fluid-rock interactions. She collaborates internationally on drilling initiatives and contributes to advancing understanding of Earth’s subseafloor systems.