Dr Jaco Baas

Reader in Ocean Sciences

Contact info

Position: Reader

Room: 305 Craig Mair

Phone: 01248 382894

E-mail: j.baas@bangor.ac.uk

Web: Google Scholar, ResearchGate

I am Reader in Fine Particle Dynamics in the School of Ocean Sciences, and specialise in the erosion, transport, and deposition of fine, cohesive sediment. I graduated from the University of Utrecht (the Netherlands) with a combined BSc/MSc in Sedimentary Geology in 1988. At the same university, I completed my PhD in Bedform Dynamics in 1993. Subsequently, I was Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Geomar Research Centre in Kiel, Germany (studying Late-Pleistocene climate signals in slope sediments from the North-Atlantic continental margin), at the University of Rouen, France (on resuspension processes in the Seine estuary and gravel mining in the English Channel), and at the University of Bergen, Norway (investigating grain orientations in turbidite deposits).

In 1998, I moved to the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, where I started as a Marie Curie Research Fellow and then became a Senior Research Fellow. My research in Leeds included the physical properties of particulate density currents and their deposits and the dynamics of turbulence-modulated flows carrying cohesive clay particles. I took up my present post in Bangor in January 2007.

I am a process sedimentologist with more than 25 years of experience in sediment transport in fluvial, shallow marine, and deep-marine environments. My main fundamental and applied research interests include physical and biological cohesion in fine-grained sediment, the dynamics of sedimentary bedforms, and sediment gravity flows in the deep ocean, but my expertise also stretches to hydraulic engineering, palaeoclimatology, and mathematical modelling. I combine experimental research with field work to answer timely research questions, taking a blue-skies approach as well as collaborating with industry.

Research Area

Sediment Dynamics and Morphology

  1. 2006
  2. Published

    An experimental model for turbulence modulation in natural clay-laden flows over flat beds, ripples and dunes.

    Baas, J. H., Best, J. L. & Kellman, P., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  3. Published

    Bedforms in high concentration flows – Preliminary results of laboratory experiments.

    Kellman, P., Best, J. L., Baas, J. H., Peakall, J. & Parsons, D., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  4. Published

    Behaviour of fully ponded turbidity currents in confined basins: An experimental study.

    Patacci, M., McCaffrey, W. M., Haughton, P., Baas, J. H. & Keevil, G., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  5. Published

    Can vertical stacking of low-angle bedforms produce rhythmic bedding in slurry flow deposits.

    Baas, J. H., Best, J. L. & Peakall, J., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  6. Published

    Experimental model for turbulence modulation in natural clay-laden flows.

    Baas, J. H., Best, J. L., Peakall, J. & Wang, M., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  7. Published

    Experimental turbidity current transport and deposition using scaled realistic bathymetry.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D., Pattaci, M. & Wyton, J., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  8. Published

    Flow dynamics and depositional properties of cohesive mixed sand-mud currents with transient turbulent behaviour.

    Baas, J. H., Best, J. L., Peakall, J., McCaffrey, B. & Wang, M., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  9. Published

    Grain fabric control on directional permeability in deep-marine sandstones.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D., Hailwood, E. & Kay, M., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  10. Published

    Non-cohesive, mixed and cohesive high-density turbidity currents: Flow and deposit properties inferred from laboratory experiments.

    Manica, R., Baas, J. H., De Oliveira Borges, A. L., Maestri, R. D., Peakall, J. & McCaffrey, W. D., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  11. Published

    The Deep-Water Architecture Knowledge Base: Towards objective comparison of deep-marine sedimentary systems.

    Baas, J. H. & McCaffrey, W. D., 1 Jan 2006.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  12. 2005
  13. Published

    The Deep-Water Architecture Knowledge Base: Towards objective comparison of deep-marine sedimentary systems.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D. & Knipe, R. J., 1 Nov 2005, In: Petroleum Geoscience. 11, 4, p. 309-320

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  14. Published

    Detection and quantification of suspended sediment concentration and stratification in open channel flows: development and first results using electrical resistance tomography.

    Schlaberg, H. I., Baas, J. H., Wang, M., Best, J. L., Williams, R. A. & Peakall, J., 5 Sept 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  15. Published
  16. Published

    Comparison of spatio-temporal evolution of experimental particulate gravity flows at two different initial concentrations, based on velocity, grain size and density data.

    Choux, C. M., Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D. & Haughton, P. D., 1 Aug 2005, In: Sedimentary Geology. 179, 1-2, p. 49-69

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  17. Published

    Sediment gravity flows: Recent advances in process and field analysis – Introduction

    Baas, J. H., 1 Aug 2005, In: Sedimentary Geology. 179, 1-2, p. 1-3

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  18. Published

    Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences, by J. Locat, & J. Mienert

    Baas, J. H. & Strachan, L., 1 May 2005, Unknown.

    Research output: Other contribution

  19. Published

    Coupling between suspended sediment distribution and turbulence structure in a laboratory turbidity current.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D., Haughton, P. D. & Choux, C., 1 Jan 2005, In: Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans. 110, c11, p. C11015

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  20. Published

    Detection and quantification of suspension concentrations and sedimentation layers in channel flows using electrical resistance tomography.

    Schlaberg, H. I., Baas, J. H., Wang, M., Best, J. L., Williams, R. A. & Peakall, J., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  21. Published

    Enhanced fault seal evaluation of turbidite systems in mature basins: Examples from around the globe.

    Bradbury, P. W., Freeman, S. R., Harris, S. D., Knipe, R. J., McCaffrey, W. D., Baas, J. H. & Lewis, G., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  22. Published

    Experimental passive fill of U-shaped burrows.

    Kellman, P., Baas, J. H., Best, J. L. & Uchman, A., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  23. Published

    Turbulence modulation in clay-laden flows over ripples and dunes.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  24. Published

    Turbulence modulation in clay-rich flows: Implications for depositional process and bed form geometry.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  25. Published

    Turbulence-modulated clay-laden flow over flat beds, ripple and dunes.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  26. Published

    When is a clay-laden current turbulent, transitional or laminar? A new stability diagram based on flow dynamics and clay concentration.

    Baas, J. H., Best, J. L., Peakall, J. & Wang, M., 1 Jan 2005.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  27. 2004
  28. Published

    Deposits of depletive high-density turbidity currents: a flume analogue of bed geometry, structure and texture.

    Baas, J. H., Van Kesteren, W. & Postma, G., 1 Oct 2004, In: Sedimentology. 51, 5, p. 1053-1088

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  29. Published

    Conditions for formation of massive turbiditic sandstones by primary depositional processes.

    Baas, J. H., 1 Apr 2004, In: Sedimentary Geology. 166, 3-4, p. 292-310

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  30. Published

    Earth Science Editorial.

    Baas, J. H., 1 Feb 2004, In: Annals of the Marie Curie Fellowships. 3, p. 42

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  31. Published
  32. Published

    Confined Turbidite Systems, by S.A. Lomas & P. Joseph

    Baas, J. H., 1 Jan 2004, Unknown.

    Research output: Other contribution

  33. Published

    Critical parameters for cross-fault flow within deep marine clastic reservoirs: An integrated 3D stratigraphic and structural approach.

    Bradbury, P. W., Freeman, S. R., Harris, S. D., Knipe, R. J., McCaffrey, W. D. & Baas, J. H., 1 Jan 2004.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  34. Published

    Passive sediment filling of U-shaped animal burrows.

    Kellman, P., Baas, J. H., Best, J. L. & Uchman, A., 1 Jan 2004.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  35. Published

    Temporal flow structure of an experimental particulate density current linked to textural variation of the resultant flume deposit.

    Barker, S., McCaffrey, B., Haughton, P., Baas, J. H. & Choux, C., 1 Jan 2004.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  36. Published

    Turbulence modulation behind ripples and dunes in clay-laden currents.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2004.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  37. 2003
  38. Published

    Spatio-temporal evolution of velocity structure, concentration and grainsize stratification within experimental particulate gravity currents.

    McCaffrey, W. D., Choux, C. M., Baas, J. H. & Haughton, P. D., 1 Jun 2003, In: Marine and Petroleum Geology. 20, 6-8, p. 851-860

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  39. Published

    Fine Sediment Dynamics in the Marine Environment, by J.C. Winterwerp & C. Kranenberg

    Baas, J. H. & Felix, M., 1 Jan 2003, Unknown.

    Research output: Other contribution

  40. Published

    Looking inside turbidity currents: the effects of spatial and temporal changes in velocity, concentration and grain size on depositional properties.

    Baas, J. H., McCaffrey, W. D., Choux, C. & Haughton, P. D., 1 Jan 2003.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  41. Published
  42. Published

    Ripple, Ripple Mark, Ripple Structure.

    Baas, J. H. & Middleton, G. V. (ed.), 1 Jan 2003, Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks. 2003 ed. Kluwer Academic Publishers, p. 565-567

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

  43. 2002
  44. Published

    Earth Science Editorial.

    Baas, J. H., 1 Jul 2002, In: Annals of the Marie Curie Fellowships. 2, p. 34

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  45. Published

    Experimental constraints on shear mixing rates and processes: implications for the dilution of submarine debris flows

    Talling, P. J., Peakall, J., Sparks, R. S., O'Cofaigh, C., Dowdeswell, J. A., Felix, M., Wynn, R. B., Baas, J. H., Hogg, A. J., Masson, D. G., Taylor, J. & Weaver, P. P., 1 Jan 2002, Glacier-Influenced Sedimentation on High-Latitude Continental Margins. 2002 ed. Geological Society Publishing House, p. 89-104

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Turbulence modulation in clay-rich sediment-laden flows and some implications for sediment deposition.

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2002, In: Journal of Sedimentary Research. 72, 3, p. 336-340

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  48. 2001
  49. Published

    Can sedimentological flows with small amounts of clay particles form massive sandstone beds?

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 1 Jan 2001.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  50. Published

    Clast-rich debrite and slurry intervals sandwiched within co-genetic turbiditic sandstone: origin, lateral extent and baffle potential.

    Talling, P., Amy, L., McCaffrey, B., Baas, J. H., Peakall, J., Stanbrook, D., Clark, J., Wynn, R., Gee, M. & Masson, D., 1 Jan 2001.

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

  51. Published
  52. 2000
  53. Published

    Duration of deposition from decelerating high-density turbidity currents.

    Baas, J. H., Van Dam, R. L. & Storms, J. E., 1 Oct 2000, In: Sedimentary Geology. 136, 1-2, p. 71-88

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  54. Published

    Ripple formation induced by biogenic mounds – Comment

    Baas, J. H. & Best, J. L., 15 Aug 2000, In: Marine Geology. 168, 1-4, p. 145-151

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  55. Published

    EZ-ROSE: a computer program for equal-area circular histograms and statistical analysis of two-dimensional vectorial data.

    Baas, J. H., 1 Mar 2000, In: Computers and Geosciences. 26, 2, p. 153-166

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  56. Published
  57. Published

    Experimental Research on Hydraulics and Depositional Mechanisms of High-Density Turbidity Currents.

    Baas, J. H., 1 Jan 2000, 2000 ed. Unknown.

    Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report