About

I am an economic geologist specialising in ore formation associated with magmatic systems. Most recently, I have been involved in research relating to the formation of rare earth element deposits associated with carbonatite magmatic systems. These critical elements are used in a wide range of green technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change.

Teaching responsibilities

Module Leader

• First year Rocks Minerals and Gemstones
• First year Resource Geology
• Second year Economic Mineral Deposits

Module Contributor

• First year Fundamental Skills for Geoscientists
• Second year Deformed Terrains
• Third year Independent Studies for Geoscience

Research interests

The main focus of Holly's research is ore formation processes associated with magmatic systems. Most recently she has been part of an EU funded Horizon 2020 project called HiTech AlkCarb which aimed to create geomodels of criritcal metals such as rare earth elements associated with carbonatite and alkaline magmatic systems. These are of particular interest due to their use in the production of green technologies, such as wind turbines and electric cars, that are designed to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

Holly is also very interested in Irish-type lead-zinc mineralisation, having worked on deposits associated with volcanic breccia-filled pipes called diatremes at Limerick, within the Irish Orefield. This research was partially funded by NERC and the Teck Ireland exploration company.

Physical volcanological processes are also of a particular interest to Holly, especially associated with diatreme and phreatomagmatic eruptions.

Membership of professional bodies

Society of Economic Geologists

Women in Mining: Education and Membership Committee member

Qualifications

• 2018: Higher Education Academy Associate Teaching Fellow
• 2015: PhD in Geology, University of Southampton.
• Title: Pb-Zn mineralisation within the Limerick Basin (SW Ireland): A role for volcanism?
• 2011: MSci Geology, First Class with Honours, University of Southampton

Recent conferences

Elliott, H. A. L., Broom-Fendley, S. and Wall, F. (2019) Utilizing alteration (fenite) surrounding carbonatite intrusions as a REE and Nb exploration indicator. Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, Glasgow, August 2019.

Elliott, H. A. L., Broom-Fendley, S. and Wall, F. (2019) Fenite exploration criteria surrounding carbonatite-hosted critical metal deposits. 3rd International Critical Metals Meeting, London, May 2019.

Elliott, H. A. L., Broom-Fendley, S. and Wall, F. (2019) The significance of metasomatic alteration surrounding carbonatite complexes as a REE-enrichment indicator. Mineral Deposits Studies Group, Falmouth, January 2019. In: Applied Earth Science 128, 46.

Elliott, H. A. L., Broom-Fendley, S. and Wall, F. (2018) Using fenite as an exploration indicator for REE-enrichment in carbonatite complexes. Resources for Future generations, Vancouver, June 2018.

Session co-convener: 'Applied Mineralogy in the Mining Industry'

Elliott, H. A. L. and Wall, F. (2017) Fenite as an exploration indicator for rare earth and niobium mineralisation, and their importance within the magmatic story. Fermor: Factory Earth, London, September 2017.

Elliott, H. A. L. and Wall, F. (2017) Fenite as a rare earth and niobium exploration indicator. Goldschmidt, Paris, August 2017.

Elliott, H. A. L., Gernon, T., Roberts, S., Hewson, C. and Boyce, A. (2014) Diatreme volcanism and Pb-Zn mineralisation in the Limerick District of the Irish Orefield. Mineral Deposits Studies Group, Southampton, December 2014.

Elliott, H. A. L., Gernon, T., Roberts, S. and Redmond, P. (2013) Facilitation of Pb-Zn mineralisation by diatremes in the Irish Orefield? American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, December 2013.

Recent publications

Elliott, H A L., Gernon, T M., Roberts, S., Boyce, A. and Hewson, C. (2019) Diatremes act as fluid conduits for Zn-Pb mineralization in the SW Irish Orefield. Economic Geology 114, 117-125.

Elliott, H. A. L., Broom-Fendley, S. and Wall, F. (2019) The significance of metasomatic alteration surrounding carbonatite complexes as a REE-enrichment indicator. Applied Earth Science 128, 46.

Elliott, H A L., Wall, F., Chakmouradian, A R., Siegfried, P R., Dahlgren, S., Weatherley, S., Finch, A A., Marks, M A W., Dowman, E. and Deady, E. (2018) Fenites associated with carbonatite complexes: A review. Ore Geology Reviews 93, 38-59.

Gernon, T M., Upton, B G J., Ugra, R., Yücel, C., Taylor, R N. and Elliott, H. (2016) Complex subvolcanic magma plumbing system of an alkali basaltic maar-diatreme volcano (Elie Ness, Fife, Scotland). Lithos 264, 70-85.

Elliott, H A L., Gernon, T M., Roberts, S. and Hewson, C. (2015) Basaltic maar-diatreme volcanism in the Lower Carboniferous of the Limerick Basin (SW Ireland). Bulletin of Volcanology 77, 37-59.