Professor Stephen Hesselbo


Professor of Stratigraphy

Email: stephen.hesselbo@earth.ox.ac.uk
TEL: +44 1865 272029
FAX: +44 1865 272072

Research Profile

 

My research interests are broadly in the area of geological history, and more specifically are aimed at understanding the dynamics of major past perturbations in the Earth's physical and biological systems. I employ a range of laboratory and field techniques at the interface of stratigraphy, sedimentology, isotope geochemistry, and palaeobotany. Most of my recent research has focussed on the mid-Mesozoic time interval, but I am interested in the record of past events through the whole of Earth history.

Teaching Profile

I currently teach courses in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and Earth history, including an advanced option on major environmental change events.

Selected Publications (Full Publications)

  • Hesselbo, S.P., Pienkowski, G. 2011. Stepwise atmospheric carbon-isotope excursion during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (Early Jurassic, Polish Basin). Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 301, 365-372, doi: 1016/j.epsl.2010.11.021
  • McElwain, J.C., Wagner, P. & Hesselbo, S.P. 2009. Fossil plant relative abundances indicate sudden loss of late Triassic biodiversity in East Greenland. Science, 324, 1554-1556.
  • Amor, K., Hesselbo, S.P., Porcelli, D., Thackrey, S. & Parnell, J. 2008. A Precambrian proximal ejecta blanket from Scotland. Geology, v. 36, 303-306, doi: 10.1130/G24454A.1
  • Hesselbo, S.P., Jenkyns, H.C., Duarte, L.V., Oliveira, L.C.V. 2007. Carbon-isotope record of the Early Jurassic (Toarcian) Oceanic Anoxic Event from fossil wood and marine carbonate (Lusitanian Basin, Portugal). Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 253, 455-470, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2006.11.009.
  • Haworth, M., Hesselbo, S.P., McElwain, J.C., Robinson, S.A. & Brunt, J.W. 2005. Mid Cretaceous pCO2 based on stomata of the extinct conifer Pseudofrenelopsis (Cheirolepidiaceae). Geology, v.33, p.749-752, doi: 10.1130/G21736.1.
  • McElwain, J.C., Murphy, J.W., & Hesselbo, S.P. 2005. Changes in carbon dioxide during an oceanic anoxic event linked to intrusion of Gondwana coals. Nature, v. 435, p.479-483, doi: 10.1038/nature03618.
  • Hesselbo, S.P., Robinson, S.A., Surlyk, F. & Piasecki, S. 2002. Terrestrial and marine extinction at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary synchronized with major carbon-cycle perturbation: a link to initiation of massive volcanism? Geology, 30, p.251-254.
  • Hesselbo, S.P., Gröcke, D.R., Jenkyns, H.C., Bjerrum, C.J., Farrimond, P.L., Morgans-Bell, H.S. & Green, O. 2000. Massive dissociation of gas hydrates during a Jurassic Oceanic Anoxic Event. Nature, 406, p.392-395.

Other Information

Vice-Master, St Peter's College

Secretary for the International Subcommission on Jurassic Stratigraphy (ISJS).

Member of editorial boards for Geology, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, and Newsletters on Stratigraphy.