Environmental Geophysics Group

Welcome to the Environmental Geophysics Group in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at University of Toronto Scarborough! PI: Phil Heron.

Welcome to our research group page!

We work on plate tectonic processes using numerical models and data science techniques. Specifically, we are big on using High Performance Computing as well as python coding to create and analyse data on earthquakes, continental rifting, mountain building, and super-volcanoes.

Our philosophy is to train graduates students up to have technical skills in computational analysis and science communication that are applicable to both academia and industry.

**Environmental Geophysics Group 2024:** L-R: Phil Heron, Erkan Gün, Emma Blanchet, Alan Yu, Oviga Yasokaran, Newkki George. On screen: Skyler Yang, Congyi Wan, Jonathan Rich, Janvi Patel.

Prospective graduate student?

I will looking to take on two new students in 2026 at the MSc and/or PhD level. Click to learn about potential projects!

Understanding environmental changes in the Canadian Arctic through geophysical methods
Numerical modelling of Canadian Arctic tectonics
Critical mineral exploration and early Earth dynamics
Numerical modelling of supercontinent and super volcanoes
The role of deep lithospheric structures on intraplate earthquakes of the Sichuan Basin, China

What do we look for?

Well, we generally look for students who are interested in Earth Science – share with us your interest in the subject! You don’t need to be an expert in the field, but a passion for learning goes a long way.

Our projects are very different and you will obtain different skills by the end of it – so a question for prospective students is: what skills would you like to gain from your graduate studies?

What do our students gain skills in?

communication: we place a strong emphasis on being able to communicate well!

computational analysis: using numerical models or python programming

high performance computing: how to effectively use a supercomputer if needed

We take students from a wide academic background…

….not just those with geology, physics, or computer science backgrounds! We also have students at St George campus and at our main lab space at UTSC. If this is still interesting, please get in touch via email (Philip.heron @utoronto.ca) to arrange a meeting.

We have a little grad recruitment video for you as well:

Our research lab

PhD student Jon leading the discussion on his work with the rest of the group.

Research group (25/26):

Jon Rich (PhD): the role of inherited structures in plate tectonic deformation.

Andreia Hamid (PhD): analysis of lithospheric-scale deformation of mountain building and bending.

Jamie Williams (PhD): (co-supervised with Dr Petty and Dr Hamilton at York St John) on conceptualising neurodiversity-affirming contexts.

Oviga Yasokaran (MSc): Analysis of the spatio-temporal patterns of intraplate earthquakes of Western Quebec.

Julia Nielsen (MSc): Geodynamical modelling of HALIP circumferential dyke swarm in Canadian Arctic Archipelago

Evan Cooper (MEnvSci): On the link between landslides and earthquakes in Canada.

Foster Wright (Undergraduate): Secondary impact of mining-related tremors in Alberta and Ontario.

Congyi Wan (Undergraduate): Application of cluster analysis on earthquake patterns within the Sichuan Basin, China.

Past members of EGG

Post-doctoral fellow: Dr Erkan Gün (now at Bremen) [Gün et al., 2024; Gün et al., 2025]

MSc: Alan Yu (now at GFZ Potsdam) [Yu et al., 2025]

MEnvSci: Vera Yin [Yin et al., 2024], Janvi Patel

Undergraduate researchers: Skyler Yang (now at PhD in Honk Kong), Rachel Zhong, Kiona Osowski, Sara Hashemi, Janeesa Lewis-Nimako, Sophia Narayan, Elisabetta Canaletti, Aisha Sharif, Newkki George, Emma Blanchett.