Matthijs Smit

Biography

2014-now: Assistant Professor, CRC Tier II, University of British Columbia, Vancouver (CA) 2013-2014: Adjunct Professor, University of Copenhagen (DK) 2011-2013: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Santa Barbara (USA) Ph.D., 2010: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster (D) MSc, 2006: Universiteit Utrecht (NL) 2014-now: Assistant Professor, CRC Tier II, University of British Columbia, Vancouver (CA) 2013-2014: Adjunct Professor, University of Copenhagen (DK) 2011-2013: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Santa Barbara (USA) Ph.D., 2010: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster (D) MSc, 2006: Universiteit Utrecht (NL)

Research Interest

My research involves studying the dynamics and geochemistry of the lithosphere through time. Current research interests are: 1) timing and duration of petrological processes; 2) formation and differentiation of Earth's early crust; 3) evolution of the Pamir-Himalaya-Tibet mountain range; 4) controlling factors and novel applications in chronology (link is external) (Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, U-Pb); 5) trace-element and isotope analysis by LA-ICPMS (link is external); 6) feedback among reactive fluid flow, phase changes and deformation in subducted crust. The research is done as part of the CFI- and NSERC-funded collaborative research initiative "Earth’s codependent siblings: studying dynamic interactions between crust and mantle in ancient and modern continents", which runs at UBC since 2015. The goal of this program is to answer major questions regarding the formation and evolution of (early) continents, and their bearing on global geochemical cycles. The project makes use of the world-leading analytical infrastructure at PCIGR (link is external) and integrates field research, analytical geochemistry and mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS (link is external), LA-ICPMS (link is external), TIMS (link is external)), petrological analysis, and micro-structural studies. Current research focus is on fragments of the deep crust and mantle exposed in Scandinavia, Canada, Greenland, and Central Asia. As part of this program, I established and manage the Lu-Hf chronology facility at PCIGR. This facility is open to external users and can used upon request.