On November 28, 2024, Dr. James Andrew M. Leong gave a talk for the 53rd NIGS Lecture Series, entitled “Consequences of fluid-rock chemical exchanges during mantle peridotite alteration: insights from the Samail ophiolite and the Oman drilling project.” at the NIGS Multipurpose Room at 4:00-5:00 PM. Dr. James Andrew M. Leong is currently a Postdoctoral Research Scientist from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Columbia University. He graduated magna cum laude from UP-NIGS in 2011, served as an instructor from 2011-2013 while doing his MSc Geology, and then proceeded to obtain his PhD in 2020 at the Arizona State University.
Around 40 people, both physical and online attendees, participated in the event. The attendees are NIGS personnel including undergraduate and graduate students, and professors of the institute.
His talk highlighted the importance of fluid-rock interaction in the everyday processes of the Earth. He specifically focused on the serpentinization of mantle peridotites, and gave examples of the effects of these fluid-rock reactions within the Samail Ophiolite. He also showed the zones of contrasting redox conditions during serpentinization which were found from the drillcores of the Oman Drilling Project. Finally, he explained the conditions which allowed complete carbon sequestration and mineralization of peridotites, leading to the formation of listvenites, or completely carbonated peridotites.
The event was co-organized with the Iuvenis Orbis Geological Fraternity as part of the National Institute of Geological Sciences’ 40th Anniversary. The talk was also live streamed on the National Institute of Geological Sciences official Facebook page.