Dr. Jodie Miller

  • Senior Lecturer

  • Undergraduate Program Coordinator

  • Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa

​

Biography

Degrees

  • BSc Monash University 1993, Geology and Chemistry

  • MSc Monash University 1995,

  • PhD Monash University 2001

Employment

  • 2010 - present, Dept Earth Sciences, Senior Lecturer, University of Stellenbosch, RSA

  • 2004-2010 - Lecturer, Dept Earth Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, RSA

  • 2002-03 - NRF Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Cape Town, RSA

  • 2000-01 - Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Cape Town, RSA

  • 1998 - Research Assistant, Monash University Australia


Research Interests:

My research interests centre around the integrated use of stable isotope geochemistry and petrology to understand regional geological problems and tectonic environments. Examples of projects that I am working on include:

  • Rhyolite magmatism associated with large igneous provinces with reference to the Parana/Etendeka and Karoo provinces

    • Lebombo Monocline in Swaziland and Mozambique

    • Etendeka Province and Okenyenya Complex in Namibia

  • Relationship between fluid flow and fault development with application to both thrust and extensional detachment faults

    • Naukluft Nappe, Namibia

    • Barberton Extensional Detachment

    • Monapo Complex Mozambique

  • Fluid Flow in high-pressure environments and its implications for trace element recycling in subduction zones

    • Corsica

    • Western Alps

I am also working on aspects of groundwater management in the Naukluft region of Namibia and using various isotopes to constrain climate change impacts on groundwater systems in arid environments, particularly through the combined use of O, C, H, N and C14 isotopes.


Current Projects

1. Terrane Amalgamation in Northern Mozambique and its Implications for Gondwana AssemblyProject Partners

  • Dr Christie Rowe, University of Cape Town

  • Dr Paul Macey, Council for Geoscience

Overview

  • The assembly and dispersal of the supercontinent Gondwana constitute two of the principle geological events that have defined much of the tectonostratigraphic architecture of Africa, Australia, Antarctica, Madagascar, South America and India. How these events unfolded is central to our understanding of geological, biological and human evolution of these regions. In the geological context, geophysics in combination with field-based studies of the remains of major Neoproterozoic orogenic belts as well as volcanosedimentary successions in Phanerozoic basins have allowed high confidence reconstructions of the geometric fit of Gondwana components prior to the onset of rifting and continental breakup. In contrast, there is continued debate with respect to our understanding of the spatial and temporal development of the continental suture zones that lead to the formation of Gondwana. Detailed studies of the transport direction, timing of exhumation, P-T conditions and related magmatism of these thrusting events have the potential to greatly assist in unravelling the geological evolution of important Gondwana suture zones, particularly with respect to the amalgamation of the different crustal blocks that make up the African continent.

  • The N-S trending, continental-scale Pan-African Mozambique Belt extends along most of the eastern seaboard of the African continent and represents the locus of Himalayan-style mega arc-continent and continent-continent collisions during the closure of the Mozambique Ocean related to the formation of Gondwana. Much of our understanding of the Mozambique Belt is derived from extensive studies of outcrops located in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Egypt. In contrast, northern Mozambique has received little attention and yet occupies a keystone position at the intersection of the Mozambique Belt with other Pan-African orogens in central Africa, Antarctica and Sri Lanka (ie the Zambezi Belt, Maudheim Belt, etc). This problem has recently been addressed through a large-scale field and geophysical mapping program, completed by the geological surveys of South Africa, Norway, Finland, Great Britain and Mozambique under the auspices of the World Bank, to promote mineral exploration in Mozambique. The large amounts of new geological and geochronological data generated in northern Mozambique, and the interpretation thereof, have proven particularly useful in furthering our understanding Gondwana processes in this part of the belt.

Aims and Objectives

  • What is the origin of the different orthogneiss suites that make up the Nampula Subprovince and what tectonic processes led to their amalgamation?

  • What is the origin of the Monapo Complex and what is its relationship to granulite facies nappes to the north?

Postgraduate Opportunities

  • Numerous postgraduate opportunities exist within the project and can be tailored to suit the exact interests and needs of the student. Please contact me for further information

 2. Structural Evolution of the Naukluft Nappe Complex and its implications for groundwater resources and climate change in Namibia.Project Partners

  • Dr Christie Rowe, University of Cape Town

  • Dr Benjamin Mapani, University of Namibia

  • Prof Torsten Vennemann, University of Lausanne

  • Prof Chris Harris, University of Cape Town

Aims and Objectives

  • What are the transport pathways for groundwater and groundwater recharge in the Naukluft region and what is their relationship to key structural elements with the Naukluft Mountains?

  • What is the hydrological potential of the Naukluft Mountains in terms of quantity and quality of water and what is the spatial and temporal variation of these parameters within the region?

  • How are human activities impacting on the hydrological potential of the Naukluft Mountains and their capacity to provide a source of water for future development of the coastal region of Namibia around the Namib sand sea and the towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund?

Postgraduate Opportunities

  • Numerous postgraduate opportunities exist within the project and can be tailored to suit the exact interests and needs of the student. Please contact me for further information

 3. Mineralogical and Minerals Processing Studies of PGE Redistribution within the Bushveld ComplexProject Partners

  • Ms Megan Becker, University of Cape Town

  • Prof David Reid, University of Cape Town


Publications:

Eilers, A., Miller, J., Swana, K., Botha, R., Talma, S., Newman, R., Murray, R., Vengosh, A. (2015). Characterisation of radon concentrations in Karoo groundwater,South Africa, as a prelude to potential shale-gas development. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science 13, 269-272.
Miller, J., Swana, K., Talma, S., Vengosh, A., Tredoux, G., Murray, R., Butler, M. (2015). O, H, CDIC, Sr, B and 14C isotope fingerprinting of deep groundwaters in the Karoo Basin, South Africa as a precursor to shale gas exploration. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science 13, 211-214.
Swana, K.A., Miller, J.A., Talma, A.S., Darrah, T.H., Butler, M. Fifield, K. (2015). Comparing the residence time of deep vs shallow groundwater in the Karoo Basin, South Africa using 3H, 14C, 36Cl and 4He isotopes Procedia Earth and Planetary Science 13, 215-218.
Steven, N., Creaser, R., Wulff, K., Kisters, A., Eglington, B., Miller, J. (2014). Implications of high-precision Re-Os molybdenite dating of the Navachab orogenic gold deposit, Namibia. Geochemistry - Exploration, Environment, Analysis), 15(2-3):125-130 (November 2014)
Murray R; Swana K; Miller J; Talma S; Tredoux G; Vengosh A; Darrah T (2015). The Use of Chemistry, Isotopes and Gases as Indicators of Deeper Circulating Groundwater in the Main Karoo Basin. Water Research Commission, Research Report 2254/1/15, ISBN 978-1-4312-0678-0, pp243.
2014?
Miller, J.A., Faber, C., Rowe, C.D., Macey, P.H., and du Plessis, A., 2013. Eastward transport of the Monapo Klippe, Mozambique, determined from field kinematics and computed tomography and implications for late tectonics in central Gondwana. Precambrian Research, 237, 101-115.
Macey, P.H., Miller, J.A., Rowe, C.D., Grantham, G., Siegfried, P., Armstrong, R., and Kemp, J., 2013. Geology of the Monapo Klippe, NE Mozambique and its significance for assembly of central Gondwana. Precambrian Research, 233, 259-28.
Steven, N., Bell, M., Rental, U., Eglington, B., and Miller, J.A., 2013. Water management at the Navachab Gold Mine, Namibia, from 20002 to 2012 with a focus on groundwater chemistry. Mine Water Solutions, Lima Peru, Conference Proceedings, 296-306.
Rowe, C.D., Fagereng, A., Miller, J.A., and Mapani, B.S., 2012. Signature of coseismic decarbonation in dolomitic fault rocks of the Naukluft Thrust, Namibia. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 333-334, 200-2010.  
Mapani, B., Chimwamurombe, P., Mapaure, I., Miller, J. and Mileusnic, M. 2011. Estimation of climate change and adaptation strategies using water, soil and honey as sampling media: examples from Namibia in: Mitigation and Adaptation strategies to Climate Change; p199-209. Mapaure, I., Mhango, B.J. and Mulenga, D.K. (Editors). RAEIN-Africa Secretariat, ISBN: 978-99945-72-85-4, Windhoek.  
De Waele, B., Thomas, R. J., Macey, P. H, Horstwood, M. S. A., Tucker, R. D., Pitfield, P. E. J.; Goodenough, K. M., Bauer, W., Key, R. M., Potter, C. J., Armstrong, R. A., Miller, J. A., Randriamananjara, T., Ralison, V.; Rafahatelo, J. M., Rabarimanana, M., Bejoma, M., 2011. Provenance and tectonic significance of the Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary successions of central and northern Madagascar. Precambrian Research, 189, 18-42 DOI10.1016/j.precamres.2011.04.004 Macey, P.H., Miller, J.A., Armstrong, R.A., Ingram, B.A., Bisnath, A., Yibas, B., Chevallier, L.,  Finkelstein, J. and Haddon, I.G. (2008). Map Explanation of 1:100 000 scale sheets G41 – Ambohipaky, H41 – Bevary, G42 – Mangoboky, H42 – Bekodoka, G43 – Andolamasa, H43 - Andrafialava and parts of G40 – Ankasakasa, F40 - Saint-Andre, F41 – Betsalampy, H40 – Maroboaly-Sud, I40 – Soalala-Sud,  I41 – Andranomavo, F42 – Marovoay Kely, I42 – Mahabe, F43 – Bebao, F44 – Antranogoaika, G44 – Morafeno, I43 – Ampoza, H44- Bemolanga and I44 Makaraingo. Ministère de L’Energie et des Mines – Project de Gouvernance des Ressources Minérales, Antananarivo, Madagascar and Council for Geoscience, Pretoria, South Africa.  
Macey, P.H., Miller, J.A., Armstrong, R.A., Bisnath, A., Yibas, B., Chevallier, L., Mukosi, N.C., Cole, J., le Roux, P. and Haddon, I.G. (2009). Map Explanation of 1:100 000 scale Sheets I46 – Ambararata, J46 – Beopoaka, I47 – Itondy, J47 – Belobaka, K47 – Ambatofotsy, I48 – Miandrivazo, J48 – Betrondro, K48 – Ambatondradama, I49 – Ankotrofotsy, J49 – Dabolava, K49 – Anjoma-Ramartina, L49 – Vasiana, M49 – Ankazomiriotra, N49 – Antsirabe, Ministère de L’Energie et des Mines – Project de Gouvernance des Ressources Minérales, Antananarivo, Madagascar and Council for Geoscience, Pretoria, South Africa.  
Bryan, S.E., Peate, I.U., Peate, D.W., Self, S., Jerram, D.A., Mawby, M.R.,  Marsh, J.S., and Miller, J.A., 2010. The largest volcanic eruptions on Earth. Earth Science Reviews, doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2010.07.001. 
Harris, C., Burgers, C., Miller, J.A., and Rawoort, F., 2010. O- and H-isotope record of Cape Town rainfall from 1996 to 2008 and its application to recharge studies of Table Mountain Groundwater, South Africa. Journal of the Geological Society of South Africa, 113, 33-56. 
Miller, J.A., Viola, G., and Mancktelow, N., 2008. Oxygen, carbon and strontium isotope constraints on the mechanisms of nappe emplacement and fluid-rock interaction along the subhorizontal Naukluft Thrust, central Namibia. Journal of the Geological Society, London. 
Miller, J.A. and Harris, C. 2007. Petrogenesis of the Swaziland and northern Natal rhyolites of the Lebombo rifted volcanic margin, south east Africa. Journal of Petrology, 48, 185-218.  
M.D. Roberts, D.L. Reid, J.A. Miller, I.J. Basson, M. Roberts and D. Smith, 2007. Petrology and whole-rock geochemistry of Normal and Regional Pothole Reef Sub-facies at Northam Platinum Mine: Implications for PGE mineralization in the Rustenburg Layered Suite, Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Mineralium Deposita, 42, 271-292.
Viola, G., Mancktelow, N., and Miller, J.A. , 2006. Cyclic frictional-viscous slip oscillations along the base of an advancing nappe complex: Insights into brittle-ductile nappe emplacement mechanisms from the Naukluft Nappe Complex, central Namibia. Tectonics, 25; doi 10.1029/2005TC001939 
Miller, J.A. and Cartwright, I., 2006. The Formation of Albite Veins During Exhumation of High-Pressure Terranes: A case study from Alpine Corsica. Journal of Metamorphic Petrology, 24, 409-428 
Buick, I.S., Hand, M. Williams, Ian S., Mawby, J., Miller, J.A. & Nicoll, R.S., 2005. Detrital zircon provenance constraints on the evolution of the Harts Range Metamorphic Complex (central Australia): links to the Centralian Superbasin. Journal Geological Society London, 162, 777-787.  
Niiranen, T., Mänttäri, I., Poutiainen, M., Oliver, N.H.S. and Miller, J.A., 2005. Genesis of Palaeoproterozoic metasomatic ironstones in the Misi region, northern Finland. Mineralium Deposita, 40, 192-217. 
Mark, G., Williams, P.J. and Miller, J.A., 2004. Precambrian Fe oxide-(Cu-Au) hydrothermal systems: An isotopic perspective from Scandinavia. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta pp. A776.
Buick, I.S., Williams, I.S., Gibson, R.L., Cartwright, I., and Miller, J.A., 2003. d13C and U-Pb evidence for a Palaeoproterozoic crustal component in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt, South Africa. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 160, 601-612. 
Miller, J.A., Buick, I.S., Cartwright, I., and Barnicoat, A.C., 2002. Fluid processes during the exhumation of high-P metamorphic belts. Mineralogical Magazine, 66, 93-119. 
Holdsworth, R.E., Hand, M., Miller, J.A., and Buick, I.S., 2001. Continental reactivation and reworking: an introduction. In: Continental Reactivation and Reworking (J.A. Miller, I.S. Buick, M. Hand, and R.E. Holdsworth, editors) Geological Society of London Special Publication, 184, 1-12. 
Buick, I.S., Miller, J.A., Williams, I.S., and Cartwright, I., 2001. Ordovician high-grade metamorphism of a newly recognised late Neoproterozoic terrane in the northern Harts Range, central Australia. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 19, 373-394. 
Miller, J.A., Cartwright, I., Buick, I.S., and Barnicoat, A.C., 2001. An O-isotope profile through the HP-LT Corsican ophiolite, France and its implications for fluid flow during subduction. Chemical Geology, 178, 43-69. 
Miller, J.A., and Cartwright, I., 2000. Distinguishing between ocean floor hydrothermal alteration and fluid-flow during HP-LT metamorphism using oxygen isotope variations in pillow lava cores and rims: examples from Tethyan ophiolites in the Western Alps. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 18, 467-482 
Das, K., Buick, I.S., Miller, J.A., Hand, M., Mawby, J., Hensen, B., and Yoshida, M., 2000. Geology and tectonic evolution of the Strangways and Harts Range region of the eastern Arunta Inlier: A post-conference “Orogenesis in the Outback” geotraverse. Journal of Geosciences, 43, 249-260.
Miller, J.A., Cartwright, I., and Buick, I.S., 1997. Granulite facies metamorphism in the Mallee Bore area, northern Harts Range: implications for the thermal evolution of the eastern Arunta Inlier, central Australia. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 15, 613-629. 
Miller, J.A., and Cartwright, I., 1997. Early Meteoric Fluid flow in high-grade, low-18O gneisses from the Mallee Bore area, northern Harts Range, central Australia. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 154, 839-848.