Christine Fichler

About

The geology of the Earth's crust is an encrypted picture of past and present magmatic, tectonic, and metamorphic processes, as well as superficial erosion and deposition. It takes a detective mind to reveal the deep geologic world beneath your feet. With geophysical data, you can grasp the geometry and characteristic properties of subsurface rocks. All rocks, from the surface to the depths, contribute to the gravity field with their densities and to the magnetic field with their magnetic properties. These so-called potential fields can be measured from mineral to satellite scale. Acquisition can be done with moving sensors, i.e., simply worn by you or attached to your backpack, or more effectively with drones, underwater robotics, boats, planes, helicopters or satellites.

In the last decades, powerful software for modeling and inversion of potential fields has been matured, capable of modeling the 3D geometries and distribution of rock parameters of the subsurface. Even with this software, interpreting potential fields still requires a creative mind that combines possible interpretive ideas with other geologic and geophysical information - like the clues in a detective story that eventually allow the criminal to be caught. These data enable interpretation of large-scale subsurface features (subduction zones, mountain ranges, sedimentary basins, etc.), exploration for natural resources (ores, oil & gas, hydrogen, industrial minerals), and environmental applications (fluid systems, geothermal energy, cave detection, etc.).

My research area is the integration of potential field interpretation with geologic knowledge. I am particularly interested in ultramafic rocks, serpentinization, and hydrothermal systems. Longer back in time, I have worked on the interpretation of potential fields related to Quaternary channels, gas hydrates, shallow gas, salt, sub-sedimentary crustal characterization, sedimentary compaction, and magnetic anomalies related to hydrocarbon fields. Ongoing research with possible student involvment (batchelor, master) is the search for litium.

My background includes a PhD in global seismology (KIT); postdoc in regional seismic interpretation and gravity in the North Sea (IPT / NTNU); research specialist in gravity and magnetics in hydrocarbon exploration (Statoil; 1990 - 2016), and adjunct professor (IGP/NTNU; 2013 - present).

Publications

2022

Fichler, Christine; Pastore, Zeudia. (2022) Petrology of the crystalline crust in the southwestern Barents Sea inferred from geophysical data. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 102.
Academic article
Tjåland, Egil; Ellefmo, Steinar Løve; Aasly, Kurt; Gjersvik, Tor Berge; Fichler, Christine. (2022) Oil and Gas Technologies as Key Elements for a Viable Deep Sea Mining Industry. Proceedings of ASME 2022 41st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering Volume 10 : Petroleum technology.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

2020

Michels, Alexander Christopher; Fichler, Christine; Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2020) Magnetic mapping of fault zones in the Leka Ophiolite Complex, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 100 (1).
Academic article

2018

B. Larsen, Rune; Grant, Thomas; Sørensen, Bjørn Eske; Tegner, Christian; McEnroe, Suzanne; Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; Nikolaisen, Even; Grannes, Kim Rune Bragstad; Church, Nathan Stewart; ter Maat, Geertje; Michels, Alexander. (2018) Portrait of a giant deep-seated magmatic conduit system: The Seiland Igneous Province. Lithos. volum 296-299.
Academic article
Michels, Alexander; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine. (2018) Geophysical expression of the Leka Ophiolite, Norway modeled from integrated gravity, magnetic and petrophysical data. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 98 (1).
Academic article
Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2018) Magnetic anomalies of the mafic/ultramafic seiland igneous province. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 98 (1).
Academic article
Solbakk, Terje; Fichler, Christine; Wheeler, Walter H; Lauritzen, Stein-Erik; Ringrose, Philip. (2018) Detecting multiscale karst features including hidden caves using microgravimetry in a Caledonian nappe setting: Mefjell massif, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 98 (3).
Academic article

2017

Hokstad, Ketil; Tasarova Alasonati, Zuzana; Clark, Stephen Anthony; Kyrkjebø, Rune; Duffaut, Kenneth; Fichler, Christine; Wiik, Torgeir. (2017) Radiogenic heat production in the crust from inversion of gravity and magnetic data. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift. volum 97 (3).
Academic article

2016

Fichler, Christine. (2016) Gravity for hydrocarbon exploration. GeoExpro. volum 13 (2).
Popular scientific article
Fichler, Christine. (2016) Magnetics for hydrocarbon exploration. GeoExpro. volum 13 (6).
Popular scientific article
Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2016) The deep crustal structure of the mafic-ultramafic Seiland Igneous Province of Norway from 3D gravity modelling and geological implications. Geophysical Journal International. volum 207 (3).
Academic article

2014

Stadtler, Christopher; Fichler, Christine; Hokstad, Ketil; Myrlund, Eva Andrea; Wienecke, Susann; Fotland, Bente. (2014) Improved salt imaging in a basin context by high resolution potential field data: Nordkapp Basin, Barents Sea. Geophysical Prospecting. volum 62 (3).
Academic article

2011

Fichler, Christine; Odinsen, Tore; Olesen, Odleiv; Rueslåtten, Håkon; Vindstad, Jens Emil; Wienecke, Susann. (2011) Crustal inhomogeneities in the Northern North Sea from potential field modeling: Inherited structure and serpentinites?. Tectonophysics.
Academic article
Gernigon, L.; Brönner, Marco; Fichler, Christine; Løvås, L.; Marello, Laura; Olesen, O.. (2011) Magnetic expression of salt diapir related structures in the Nordkapp Basin, Western Barents Sea. Geology. volum 39 (2).
Academic article

2003

Ursin, Bjørn; Bauer, Christian; Zhao, H.; Fichler, Christine. (2003) Combined seismic inversion and gravity modelling of a shallow anomaly in the southern Barents Sea. Geophysics. volum 68.
Academic article

2002

Bauer, Christian; Fichler, Christine. (2002) Quaternary lithology and shallow gas from high resolution gravity and seismic data in the central North Sea. Petroleum Geoscience. volum 8.
Academic article

1999

Fichler, Christine; Rundhovde, E.; Olesen, Odleiv; Sæther, B.M.; Rueslåtten, H.; Lundin, E.; Doré, A.G.. (1999) Regional tectonic interpretation of image enhanced gravity and magnetic data covering the mid-Norwegian shelf and adjacent mainland. Tectonophysics. volum 306 (2).
Academic article

1997

Fichler, Christine; Rundhovde, E.; Johansen, Ståle Emil; Sæther, B.M.. (1997) The Barents Sea tectonic structures visualized by ERS1 satellite gravity data with indications for an offshore Baikalean trend. First Break.
Academic article

1995

Sæther, B.M.; Rueslåtten, H.G; Rundhovde, E.; Fichler, Christine; Henningsen, T.H; Johansen, Ståle Emil. (1995) Remote sensing methods in offshore exploration. In: Exploration and Exploitation in Norway. Norwegian Petroleum Society (NPF) : Special Publications.
Academic article

1994

Johansen, Ståle Emil; Henningsen, T.; Rundhovde, E.; Sæther, B.M.; Fichler, Christine; Rueslåtten, H. G.. (1994) Continuation of the Caledonides north of Norway: Seismic reflectors within the basement beneath the southern Barents Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology. volum 11 (2).
Academic article

Journal publications

Fichler, Christine; Pastore, Zeudia. (2022) Petrology of the crystalline crust in the southwestern Barents Sea inferred from geophysical data. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 102.
Academic article
Michels, Alexander Christopher; Fichler, Christine; Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2020) Magnetic mapping of fault zones in the Leka Ophiolite Complex, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 100 (1).
Academic article
B. Larsen, Rune; Grant, Thomas; Sørensen, Bjørn Eske; Tegner, Christian; McEnroe, Suzanne; Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; Nikolaisen, Even; Grannes, Kim Rune Bragstad; Church, Nathan Stewart; ter Maat, Geertje; Michels, Alexander. (2018) Portrait of a giant deep-seated magmatic conduit system: The Seiland Igneous Province. Lithos. volum 296-299.
Academic article
Michels, Alexander; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine. (2018) Geophysical expression of the Leka Ophiolite, Norway modeled from integrated gravity, magnetic and petrophysical data. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 98 (1).
Academic article
Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2018) Magnetic anomalies of the mafic/ultramafic seiland igneous province. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 98 (1).
Academic article
Solbakk, Terje; Fichler, Christine; Wheeler, Walter H; Lauritzen, Stein-Erik; Ringrose, Philip. (2018) Detecting multiscale karst features including hidden caves using microgravimetry in a Caledonian nappe setting: Mefjell massif, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology. volum 98 (3).
Academic article
Hokstad, Ketil; Tasarova Alasonati, Zuzana; Clark, Stephen Anthony; Kyrkjebø, Rune; Duffaut, Kenneth; Fichler, Christine; Wiik, Torgeir. (2017) Radiogenic heat production in the crust from inversion of gravity and magnetic data. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift. volum 97 (3).
Academic article
Fichler, Christine. (2016) Gravity for hydrocarbon exploration. GeoExpro. volum 13 (2).
Popular scientific article
Fichler, Christine. (2016) Magnetics for hydrocarbon exploration. GeoExpro. volum 13 (6).
Popular scientific article
Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2016) The deep crustal structure of the mafic-ultramafic Seiland Igneous Province of Norway from 3D gravity modelling and geological implications. Geophysical Journal International. volum 207 (3).
Academic article
Stadtler, Christopher; Fichler, Christine; Hokstad, Ketil; Myrlund, Eva Andrea; Wienecke, Susann; Fotland, Bente. (2014) Improved salt imaging in a basin context by high resolution potential field data: Nordkapp Basin, Barents Sea. Geophysical Prospecting. volum 62 (3).
Academic article
Fichler, Christine; Odinsen, Tore; Olesen, Odleiv; Rueslåtten, Håkon; Vindstad, Jens Emil; Wienecke, Susann. (2011) Crustal inhomogeneities in the Northern North Sea from potential field modeling: Inherited structure and serpentinites?. Tectonophysics.
Academic article
Gernigon, L.; Brönner, Marco; Fichler, Christine; Løvås, L.; Marello, Laura; Olesen, O.. (2011) Magnetic expression of salt diapir related structures in the Nordkapp Basin, Western Barents Sea. Geology. volum 39 (2).
Academic article
Ursin, Bjørn; Bauer, Christian; Zhao, H.; Fichler, Christine. (2003) Combined seismic inversion and gravity modelling of a shallow anomaly in the southern Barents Sea. Geophysics. volum 68.
Academic article
Bauer, Christian; Fichler, Christine. (2002) Quaternary lithology and shallow gas from high resolution gravity and seismic data in the central North Sea. Petroleum Geoscience. volum 8.
Academic article
Fichler, Christine; Rundhovde, E.; Olesen, Odleiv; Sæther, B.M.; Rueslåtten, H.; Lundin, E.; Doré, A.G.. (1999) Regional tectonic interpretation of image enhanced gravity and magnetic data covering the mid-Norwegian shelf and adjacent mainland. Tectonophysics. volum 306 (2).
Academic article
Fichler, Christine; Rundhovde, E.; Johansen, Ståle Emil; Sæther, B.M.. (1997) The Barents Sea tectonic structures visualized by ERS1 satellite gravity data with indications for an offshore Baikalean trend. First Break.
Academic article
Sæther, B.M.; Rueslåtten, H.G; Rundhovde, E.; Fichler, Christine; Henningsen, T.H; Johansen, Ståle Emil. (1995) Remote sensing methods in offshore exploration. In: Exploration and Exploitation in Norway. Norwegian Petroleum Society (NPF) : Special Publications.
Academic article
Johansen, Ståle Emil; Henningsen, T.; Rundhovde, E.; Sæther, B.M.; Fichler, Christine; Rueslåtten, H. G.. (1994) Continuation of the Caledonides north of Norway: Seismic reflectors within the basement beneath the southern Barents Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology. volum 11 (2).
Academic article

Part of book/report

Tjåland, Egil; Ellefmo, Steinar Løve; Aasly, Kurt; Gjersvik, Tor Berge; Fichler, Christine. (2022) Oil and Gas Technologies as Key Elements for a Viable Deep Sea Mining Industry. Proceedings of ASME 2022 41st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering Volume 10 : Petroleum technology.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

Teaching

Courses

Media

2023

Academic lecture

Fichler, Christine. (2023) Is there potential for exploiting lithium‐rich clays and brines on the Norwegian Continental Shelf?. 35th Geological Winter Meeting . Norsk Geologisk Forening; Trondheim. 2023-01-04 - 2023-01-06.

2019

Poster

Pastore, Zeudia; Church, Nathan Stewart; ter Maat, Geertje; Michels, Alexander Christopher; Fichler, Christine; Larsen, Rune Berg; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2019) The internal architecture of the Reinfjord ultramafic complex from high resolution magnetic, gravity and petrophysical data. AGU fall meeting 2019 ; 2019-12-09 - 2019-12-13.
Academic lecture

Ryan, Eric James; Fichler, Christine; Sørensen, Bjørn Eske; Larsen, Rune B.; Viola, Giulio. (2019) Onshore – Offshore correlation of mineral systems along the Norwegian Continental Shelf: A first look. Vinterkonferansen . Norges geologiske forening; Bergen. 2019-01-07 - 2019-01-09.
Poster

Solbakk, Terje; Fichler, Christine; Svånå, Tore A; Ringrose, Philip. (2019) Different aspects of detection of karstified reservoirs - case examples from seismic interpretation. ARCEx Annual Conference 2019 . ARCEx; Sommarøy, Troms. 2019-10-22 - 2019-10-24.
Academic lecture

Solbakk, Terje; Fichler, Christine; Svånå, Tore A; Wheeler, Walter H; Ringrose, Philip; Lauritzen, Stein-Erik. (2019) Different aspects of detection of karstified reservoirs – case examples from gravimetry and seismic interpretation. ARCEx Annual Conference 2019 . ARCEx; Sommarøy, Troms. 2019-10-22 - 2019-10-24.

2018

Academic lecture

Fichler, Christine; Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2018) Comparing the geophysical expression of the Seiland Igneous Province with the SW Barents Sea crust - indications for a LIP during opening of the Iapetus Ocean?. Nordic Geological Winter Meeting . Dansk Geologisk Forening; Copenhagen. 2018-01-10 - 2018-01-12.
Poster

Michels, Alexander; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine. (2018) Geophysical expression of the Leka ophiolite, Norway: subsurface model from integrated gravity, magnetic and petrophysical data. AGU fall meeting . American Geophysical uniion; Wahington DC. 2018-12-10 - 2018-12-14.
Poster

Michels, Alexander; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine. (2018) Geophysical modelling of the Leka Ophiolite Complex. Nordic Winter Meeting 2018 ; 2018-01-10 - 2018-01-12.
Poster

Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2018) The Seiland igneous province: Imaging a well preserved Ediacaran deep seated magmatic system by 3D gravity and magnetic modelling. 33rd Nordic Geological winter meeting ; Copenaghen. 2018-01-10 - 2018-01-12.
Poster

Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine; ter Maat, Geertje; Church, Nathan Stewart; Michels, Alexander; Oda, Hirokuni; Larsen, Rune B.. (2018) Exploring the magnetic petrology of ultramafic rocks by 3D modeling of magnetic anomalies. AGU fall meeting 2018 ; 2018-12-10 - 2018-12-14.
Poster

Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine; ter Maat, Geertje; Church, Nathan Stewart; Michels, Alexander; Oda, Hirokuni; Larsen, Rune Berg. (2018) 3D MODELING OF MULTISCALE MAGNETIC ANOMALIES. IAGA workshop . Conrad Observatory; Vienne. 2018-06-24 - 2018-06-29.

2017

Lecture

Fichler, Christine; Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2017) Large ultramafic complexes and metamorphic processes from the Seiland Igneous Province to the Veslemøy High, Barents Sea. 32rd Geological Winter Meeting 2017 . Norsk Geologisk Forening; Oslo. 2017-01-09 - 2017-01-11.
Academic lecture

Fichler, Christine; Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne; Michels, Alexander. (2017) Large ultramafic complexes in the southwestern Barents Sea from gravity and magnetic modelling and geological implications. Arctic Days . Norsk Geologisk Forening; Svolvær. 2017-05-29 - 2017-06-02.
Lecture

McEnroe, Suzanne; Robinson, Peter; Michels, Alexander; Pastore, Zeudia; ter Maat, Geertje; Church, Nathan Stewart; Fichler, Christine. (2017) Magnetic anomalies and minerals: consequences of phase interfaces in magnetic oxides, and varied degrees of serpentinization. Artic Days Conference . NGF; Svolvær. 2017-05-29 - 2017-06-02.
Lecture

Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2017) Gravity and Magnetic anomalies of the mafic/ultramafic Seiland Igneous Province. ARCTIC DAYS 2017- IMAGINE session ; Svolvær. 2017-05-29 - 2017-06-02.
Poster

Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne; Church, Nathan Stewart; Fichler, Christine; ter Maat, Geertje; Fumagalli, Patrizia; Oda, Hirokuni; Larsen, Rune B.. (2017) The Ultramafic Complex of Reinfjord: from the Magnetic Petrology to the Interpretation of the Magnetic Anomalies. EGU 2017 ; Vienna, Austria. 2017-04-23 - 2017-04-28.
Academic lecture

Solbakk, Terje; Fichler, Christine; Lauritzen, Stein-Erik; Wheeler, Walter H; Ringrose, Philip. (2017) Identifying hidden cave systems using gravimetric mapping: A case study from cave Svarthammarhola, Nordland, Norway. iMagine - Arctic Days 2017 . Norsk geologisk forening; Svolvær. 2017-06-01 - 2017-06-02.
Academic lecture

Solbakk, Terje; Fichler, Christine; Wheeler, Walter H; Lauritzen, Stein-Erik; Ringrose, Philip. (2017) Challenges in Identifying Karst Porosity in a Caledonian Nappe Setting Using Gravimetric Mapping. 23rd European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics . EAGE; Malmø. 2017-09-03 - 2017-09-07.
Poster

Solbakk, Terje; Fichler, Christine; Wheeler, Walter H; Ringrose, Philip; Svånå, Tore A; Johansen, Ståle Emil. (2017) Geophysical mapping of karstified carbonates. ARCEx Annual Conference 2017 . ARCEx; Malangen. 2017-05-10 - 2017-05-11.

2016

Lecture

Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne; Michels, Alexander; Pastore, Zeudia; Strømøy, Emilie. (2016) Integrated geophysical interpretation of ultramafic rocks in the crust of onshore and offshore Norway. Onshore-Offshore relationships on the north atlantic margins . Norsk Geologisk Forening; Trondheim. 2016-10-18 - 2016-10-19.
Lecture

Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne; Pastore, Zeudia; Michels, Alexander. (2016) Subsurface models of serpentinite/ peridotite bodies, onshore and offshore Norway. 4th Serpentine Days ; Sete. 2016-09-25 - 2016-09-29.
Lecture

Hokstad, Ketil; Tasaova, Zuzana A.; Kyrkjebø, Rune; Fichler, Christine; Wiik, Torgeir; Duffaut, Kenneth. (2016) Heat flow estimation from geophysical data in the Barents Sea. NPF conference - ''Arctic Exploration - Understanding the Barents Sea potensial'' . Norwegian Petroleum Society; Tromsø. 2016-05-31 - 2016-06-02.
Lecture

Pastore, Zeudia; Church, Nathan Stewart; ter Maat, Geertruida Wilhelmina; Michels, Alexander; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine; B. Larsen, Rune. (2016) Large scale magmatic event, magnetic anomalies and ore exploration in northern Norway. AGU-fall meeting 2016 ; San Francisco. 2016-12-12 - 2016-12-16.
Poster

Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2016) The deep structure of the Seiland Igneous Province: A major feature at the southwestern border of the Barents Sea. ONSHORE-OFFSHORE RELATIONSHIPS ON THE NORTH ATLANTIC MARGINS ; 2016-10-18 - 2016-10-19.

2015

Lecture

Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; Church, Nathan Stewart; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2015) Geophysical Interpretation of Mantle Magmatism in the Seiland Province: the Geometry of the Reinfjord Ultramafic Complex. AGU Fall meeting 2015 ; San Francisco. 2015-12-14 - 2015-12-18.
Lecture

Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2015) Potential field modelling of the Seiland Igneous Province in the geodynamic framework of the northern Baltican margin. ICAM ; Trondheim. 2015-06-02 - 2015-06-05.
Lecture

Pastore, Zeudia; Fichler, Christine; McEnroe, Suzanne. (2015) The deep structure of the Seiland Igneous Province (Norway): 3D gravity and magnetic modelling. IUGG 2015 ; Prague. 2015-06-22 - 2015-06-29.
Poster

Pastore, Zeudia; McEnroe, Suzanne; Fichler, Christine. (2015) Geophysical Interpretation of Mantle Magmatism in the Seiland Province and adjacent Barents Sea: Implications for tectonic emplacement of the Kalak Nappe Complex. AGU Fall meeting 2015 ; San Francisco. 2015-12-14 - 2015-12-18.

2014

Academic lecture

Hokstad, Ketil; Kyrkjebø, Rune; Duffaut, Kenneth; Fichler, Christine; Alasonati Tasarova, Zuzana; Wiik, Torgeir; Carter, Andrew J.; Dischler, Eirik Ø.; Kjøsnes, Øyvind. (2014) Integrated basin-scale thermal modeling. EAGE 76th Conference & Exhibition . EAGE; Amsterdam. 2014-06-16 - 2014-06-19.
Academic lecture

Hokstad, Ketil; Kyrkjebø, Rune; Duffaut, Kenneth; Fichler, Christine; Alasonati Tasarova, Zuzana; Wiik, Torgeir; Carter, Andrew J.; Dischler, Eirik Øverland; Kjosnes, Øyvind. (2014) Integrated basin-scale thermal modeling. The Arctic Days 2014 . Norsk Geologisk Forening; Tromsø. 2014-06-02 - 2014-06-06.

2000

Academic lecture

Bauer, Christian; Ursin, Bjørn; Zhao, Huasheng; Fichler, Christine. (2000) Improved shallow gas interpretation combining seismic and gravity data. Norwegian Petroleum Research Seminar . [Mangler data]; Bergen, 15-16 November 2000. 2000-11-15 - 2000-11-16.

Språkvelger

Christine Fichler