Thea Hatlen Heimdal

 

Thea H. Heimdal is an Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University and the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory. Her research focuses on reducing uncertainties in the global ocean carbon sink. She uses a multidisciplinary approach, combining large-scale datasets, ocean observations, numerical modeling and machine learning. Dr. Heimdal earned a PhD in Earth Science from the University of Oslo in 2018. Her PhD and postdoctoral work focused on the impact of large-scale volcanism on the climate, environment and carbon cycle. 

Education

  • PhD 2018, Earth Science, University of Oslo, Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics 
  • MSc Igneous geochemistry, 2015, University of Bergen, Department of Earth Science
  • BSc Geology, 2013, University of Bergen, Department of Earth Science
  • Heimdal et al. (2026): An update of the LDEO fCO2-Residual data product: algorithmic choices improve ocean carbon sink estimates, Machine Learning: Earth, 10.1088/3049-4753/ae86f8
  • McKinley et al. (2026): How well do global ocean approaches constrain local pCO2?, Environmental Research Letters, 10.1088/1748-9326/ae803e
  • Fay et al. (2025): Sensitivity of ocean carbon sink estimates to rare observations, Geophysical Research Letters, https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL117961
  • Heimdal et al. (2025): Targeting bias in algorithm optimization improves reconstructions of surface ocean pCO2, Machine Learning: Earth, 10.1088/3049-4753/adddc3
  • Bédard et al. (2024): Basaltic sills emplaced in organic-rich sedimentary rocks: Consequences for organic matter maturation and Cretaceous paleo-climate, GSA Bulletin, https://doi.org/10.1130/B36982.1
  • Heimdal & McKinley (2024): The importance of adding unbiased Argo observations to the ocean carbon observing system, Scientific Reports, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-70617-x
  • Heimdal et al. (2024): Assessing improvements in global ocean pCO2 machine learning reconstructions with Southern Ocean autonomous sampling, Biogeosciences, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2159-2024
  • Marcilly et al. (2022): Understanding the early Paleozoic carbon cycle balance and climate change from modelling, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117717
  • Heimdal et al. (2021): Assessing the importance of thermogenic degassing from the Karoo Large Igneous Province (LIP) in driving Toarcian carbon cycle perturbations, Nature Communications, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26467-6
  • Heimdal et al. (2020): Thermogenic carbon release from the Central Atlantic magmatic province caused major end-Triassic carbon cycle perturbations, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2000095117
  • Troll et al. (2020): Fault-Controlled Magma Ascent Recorded in the Central Series of the Rum Layered Intrusion, NW Scotland, Journal of Petrology, https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egaa093
  • Heimdal et al. (2019): Evidence for magma–evaporite interactions during the emplacement of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) in Brazil, Earth and Planetary Research Letters, 10.1016/j.epsl.2018.11.018
  • Heimdal et al. (2018): Large-scale sill emplacement in Brazil as a trigger for the end-Triassic crisis, Scientific Reports, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18629-8
  • Svensen et al. (2018): Gondwana Large Igneous Provinces: plate reconstructions, volcanic basins and sill volumes, Geological Society, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP463.7