Dr. Philipp Balling

Research assistant (Dr. rer. nat. University Jena, 2023).

Philipp vor Velebit
Image: Philipp Balling

Research interests

I am currently working on the tectonic evolution of the Dinarides.

I use balanced cross-sections, field work, structural analyses, 3D modelling among other techniques, and I know (almost) everything about MOVE.

Apart from the Dinarides, I am interested in mountain building processes in general with a special focus on the Iranian Plateau and the Appenines. I also look into how active tectonics shape the landscape.

I teach field courses, excursions, balanced cross-sections, and the fundamentals of geological mapping.

University Education

2015–2023 PhD at the Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, thesis: "Structural evolution of the central part of the External Dinarides fold-and-thrust belt"
2011–2014 Master of Sciences (MSc) in Geosciences, Universität Potsdam
2007–2011 Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) in ”International Field Geosciences”,
Universität Potsdam & University of Montana, USA

Awards & Scholarships

2020 Best Students ”Paper Award”, GeoUtrecht 2020, DGGV Meeting
2008 Student exchange to the University of Montana, USA (12.000 €)

Publications

Balling, P., Tomljenović, B., Herak, M. & Ustaszewski, K. (2023): Impact of mechanical stratigraphy on deformation style and distribution of seismicity in the central External Dinarides: a 2D forward kinematic modelling study. Swiss Journal of Geosciences, 116, doi: 10.1186/s00015-023-00437-0External link.
Heubeck, C., Thomsen, T. B., Heredia, B. D., Zeh, A., & Balling, P. (2022): The Malolotsha Klippe: Large‐scale subhorizontal tectonics along the southern margin of the Archean Barberton Greenstone Belt, Eswatini. Tectonics, e2022TC007359. doi:10.1029/2022TC007359External link.
Balling, P., Grützner, C., Tomljenović, B., Spakman, W. & Ustaszewski, K. (2021): Post-collisional mantle delamination in the Dinarides implied from staircases of Oligo-Miocene uplifted marine terracesExternal link. Sci Rep 11, 2685.
Balling, P., Tomljenović, B., Schmid, S.M., Ustaszewski, K. (2021): Contrasting along-strike deformation styles in the central external Dinarides assessed by balanced cross-sections: implications for the tectonic evolution of its Paleogene flexural foreland basin system, Global and Planetary Change, 205, 103587, doi: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2021.103587External link.
Löwe, G., Schneider, S., Sperner, B., Balling, P., Pfänder, J.A. & Ustaszewski, K. (2021): Torn between two plates: exhumation of the Cer Massif (internal Dinarides) as a far-field effect of Carpathian slab rollback inferred from ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating and cross section balancing. Tectonics, 40, e2021TC006699, doi: 10.1029/2021TC006699External link.
Löwe, G., Schneider, S., Sperner, B., Balling, P., Pfänder, J. A., & Ustaszewski, K. (2021): Supplementary material to: "Torn between two plates: exhumation of the Cer Massif (internal Dinarides) as a far-field effect of Carpathian slab rollback inferred from ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating and cross section balancing", doi: dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4678734External link.
Zebari, M., Balling, P., Grützner, C., Navabpour, P., Witte, J., & Ustaszewski, K. (2020): Structural style of the NW Zagros Mountains and the role of basement thrusting for its Mountain Front Flexure, Kurdistan Region of IraqExternal link. Journal of Structural Geology, 104206, doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2020.104206.
Ballato, P., Cifelli, F., Heidarzadeh, G., Ghassemi, M. R., Wickert, A. D., Hassanzadeh, J., Dupont‐Nivet, G., Balling, P., Sudo, M., Zeilinger, G., Schmitt, A. K., Mattei, M., & Strecker, M. R. (2017): Tectono‐sedimentary evolution of the northern Iranian Plateau: insights from middle–late Miocene foreland‐basin depositsExternal link. Basin Research, 29(4), 417-446.
Balling, P., Maystrenko, Y., & Scheck-Wenderoth, M. (2013): The deep thermal field of the Glueckstadt GrabenExternal link. Environmental Earth Sciences, 70(8), 3505-3522.