My research focuses on multiscale flow of fluids through the crust in a range of geological setting, and how they tell a story of the past and point the way for a sustainable future. From hydrothermal fluids in the oceanic crust, to CO2 and geothermal fluids in Switzerland.
I am originally from New Zealand, where I completed her undergraduate at the University of Auckland in 2014, with a year exchange at the University of Manchester. My time in the northern hemisphere inspired me to return for a Master at the University of Bern in Environmental and Resource Geochemistry, from 2015-2017. I continued there for my PhD on flow paths for hydrothermal fluids in the oceanic crust with Prof. Larryn Diamond finishing in 2021, as well as my first postdoc 2.5 years which transitioned into DFN based permeability scenarios for a CO2 pilot project in northern Switzerland.
I recently relocated across the rösti graben (Swiss German – Swiss French divide) with my family to join the DeTect team in Nov 2023, and am inspired to find synergies between fluid flow and structural evolution in the Swiss geological landscape of CO2 sequestration and geothermal energy.
My work in the oceanic crust also drew me into the world of ore deposits and the economic geology communities role to source metals for the energy transition. In this part of my research I collaborate with colleagues at Colorado School of Mines on an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the upstream lithium supply chain.
Leadership and Legacy
Leadership and legacy to improve the lives and systems of those around me, are some of my core values. Most recently this led me to aid in the development of the Swiss Universities Action Plan for postdocs at the University of Lausanne. As well as creating an inclusive team by asking open questions and listening to colleagues in our DeTect team and community.
I have served on the Faculty of Science Equal Opportunities Commission at the University of Bern for a number of years, as well as recently joining the Equality Commission for the Faculty of Geoscience and Environment in 2024. Organising numerous workshops and events on topics of gender strategies in science, unconscious bias and racism. I also led the establishment of the Geoscience Equality and Diversity (GEODES) commission to connect diversity efforts across the Swiss geoscience community.
Accessible Geoscience
Creating accessible geoscience, is also key to my daily work and am currently co-organising a seminar series on Swiss geoscience solutions to mitigate climate change with CLIMACT to inform and discuss with a multidisciplinary audience. I also co-founded and co-directed the online talk platform and YouTube repository Ore Deposits Hub, active between 2020 and 2023. To connect geoscientists working on ore deposits and the resource industry, with two weekly talks and regular audiences of 100 to 600 people and a mailing list of over 7000 geologists globally.
Ph.D., Geology, University of Bern 2017–2021, Switzerland: Hydrothermal flow paths in the upper oceanic crust: magnitude and distribution of porosity and permeability in altered, fractured lavas, Oman ophiolite
Publications
| Submitted | Brett AC, Holley EA, Deberdt R, Fahle L, Smith NM. Lithium production in the United States: Socio-technical review of sites, environmental impacts, and social acceptance |
| In preparation | Brett-Adams AC, Diamond LW, Hyman JD. Permeability of hydrothermally altered and fractured lavas in the oceanic crust at centimetre to kilometre scales, Oman ophiolite: from field mapping to flow simulations. |
| 2023 | Diamond, L. W., Alt-Epping, P., Brett, A.C., Aschwanden, L. and Wanner, C. (2023) Geochemical–hydrogeological study of a proposed CO2 injection pilot at Trüllikon, Switzerland. Report 2023-7 submitted to the Swiss Geological Survey (swisstopo). Rock Water Interaction, University of Bern, 87 pp. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10938102 |
| 2023 | Brett-Adams AC, Diamond LW, Weber S, Gilgen S, (2023). Rock-matrix porosity and permeability in the hydrothermally altered, upper oceanic crust, Oman ophiolite. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth |
| 2021 | Brett-Adams AC, Diamond LW, Petrini C, Madonna C, (2021). Influence of in-situ temperatures and pressures on the permeability of hydrothermally altered basalts in the oceanic crust. Tectonophysics, 815, 1–15 |
| 2021 | Weber S, Diamond LW, Alt-Epping P, Brett-Adams AC, (2021). Reaction Mechanism and Water/Rock Ratios Involved in Epidosite Alteration of the Oceanic Crust. JGR Solid Earth, 126, 1–27 |
| 2021 | Brett-Adams, AC, Hantsche, A, Bruce, W, Luz, F, Belgrano, T (2021). The great digital movement: take-home messages from open online seminars. SGA News, Oct 2021 Edition |
| 2017 | Brett AC, Diamond LW, Gilgen S (2017). Deep flow paths in VMS systems: porosity and permeability of epidosite alteration in the Semail ophiolite, Oman. In: Proceedings of the 14th Biennial SGA Meeting, Québec, Canada, 2. The Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA), 661–664 |