Sedimentary rocks are the Earth’s most important record of climatological and environmental changes.
Daan aims to read this record, using a range of data from rock exposures, satellites and the subsurface. To achieve this, he uses independent methodologies like sedimentological, paleontological and stratigraphic analysis, to form a thorough understanding of ancient processes and conditions. Daan also studies active surface processes to predict the behavior of sedimentary systems.

Results from his research have been used to:

·         Reconstruct depositional environments from sedimentary rock outcrops.

·         Infer ancient sea level changes.

·         Predict the migration rates of migrating sand dunes from satellite data.

·         Predict deposition and erosion by ocean bottom currents. 

Photos

Daan studying fluvial (river) deposits in Golden, Colorado. This river existed right before the asteroid impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. 

In front of mixed aeolian/tidal sedimentary deposits in Goblin Valley, Utah.

Daan accepting the PESGB best presentation award for his research on the effects of differential compaction on shelf edge trajectories, London, 2017.

Videos

1 hour lecture on thermohaline bottom current sedimentation: 

https://youtu.be/kk0Zr4s9UL8

15 minute conference talk on some controversial Miocene sediment outcrops:

15 minute conference talk on predicting the migration rates of sand dunes from satellite data:

Diagrams

Predictions of sand dune migration rates:

Sedimentary architectures of Miocene tide-dominated deposits:

Predictions of Thermohaline Ocean Bottom Current deposition (green) and erosion (red):