Folarin Kolawole, Ph.D.

Structural Geologist, BP America

Hi! I am a structural geologist and currently working in the upstream exploration section of BP America in Houston, USA. My research involves the integration of structural geology, near-surface geophysics, and geomechanics to understand 1) how the earth’s lithosphere breaks up to form new sedimentary basins and deform existing basins, and 2) how industrial subsurface activities wake-up ancient faults in the crust (i.e. induced earthquakes in areas of wastewater injection, CO2 injection, and geothermal settings), and 3) the dynamics of natural earthquakes in areas far away from active tectonic boundaries i.e. intraplate earthquakes. More specifically, I use field observations of fault deformation zones and fracture systems, structural analyses of seismic reflection and aeromagnetic datasets, laboratory geomechanics testing, and numerical modelling for my research.

My ongoing research projects are focused on 1.) structural deformation and strain localization in the early-stages of continental rifting [Natural Laboratory: East Africa Rift Zones and Rio Grande Rift], 2.) basement structure and reactivation mechanics of basement-rooted faults in areas of induced seismicity [Natural Laboratory: Central-Eastern U.S.], and 3) structural geology and geomechanics of hydrothermally-altered sedimentary reservoirs.

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I enjoy rock climbing. Also, I am very passionate about promoting racial and gender diversity in the Geosciences... because it is the right thing to do.