Dr William McCarthy
Senior Lecturer
Research areas
My research focusses on understanding the architecture of igneous intrusions and the ore deposits hosted. I am an enthusiastic field geology and rock magnetic analysis (AMS, AMR and palaeomagnetism) is my area of analytical expertise. I established the University of St Andrews M2Ore Magnetics Lab (Magam, Minerals and Ore Lab) in 2017 to facilitate my research groups work. Beyond the lab my interests are largely outdoors, I enjoy kayaking, mountain biking and free diving.
Selected publications
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Open access
Intrusions are sensitive, temporally constrained strain archives
Latimer, B., McCarthy, W., Mattsson, T. & Reavy, J., 1 Jan 2026, In: Journal of the Geological Society. 183, 1, p. 1-15 15 p., gs2025-066.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Late Ordovician regional high-pressure metamorphism in Scotland, UK: Caledonian metamorphic climax predated the closure of the Iapetus Ocean
Lamont, T. N., McCarthy, W., Strachan, R., Roberts, N. M. W., Mackay-Champion, T., Bird, A. & Searle, M., 1 Mar 2026, In: Geological Society of America Bulletin. 138, 3-4, p. 977-992 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Subduction zone magnetism: the influence of metamorphism and serpentinization in the mantle wedge
Li, Y., Lindquist, P. C., Han, D., Fish, B., Harrison, R. J., McCarthy, W., Palin, R. M., Condit, C. B. & Nichols, C. I. O., 5 Mar 2026, In: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 27, 3, 28 p., e2025GC012354.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
The significance of magnetic fabrics preserved in hydrothermally altered rocks
Latimer, B., McCarthy, W., Mattsson, T. & Reavy, J., 10 Mar 2026, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 131, 3, 29 p., e2025JB033102.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Microstructures reveal mechanical compaction and volatile-rich liquid migration in the layered alkaline Ilímaussaq complex, South Greenland
Jones, E., McCarthy, W., Piazolo, S., Magee, C., Humphreys, M. C. S. & Hutchison, W., 8 Aug 2025, In: Journal of Petrology. 66, 8, 26 p., egaf067.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
The magnetic fingerprint of pulsed granite magma emplacement and alteration: Slaufrudalur Pluton, Iceland
Quintela, O., Burchardt, S., Mattsson, T., Almqvist, B., Stevenson, C., McCarthy, W., Óskarsson, B. V., Pitcairn, I., Rhodes, E., Witcher, T., Greiner, S. H. M. & Latimer, B., 2 Sept 2025, In: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 26, 9, e2025GC012199.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Transport of magma in granitic mush systems; an example from the Götemar Pluton, Sweden
Mattsson, T., McCarthy, W. & Schmiedel, T., 3 Jan 2024, In: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 25, 1, 16 p., e2023GC011061.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Detecting emerald green in 19thC book bindings using vis-NIR spectroscopy
Gil, M. P., Henderson, E. A., Burdge, J. A., Kotze, E. & McCarthy, W., 21 Dec 2023, In: Analytical Methods. 15, 47, p. 6603-6609 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Magnetic fabrics reveal three-dimensional flow processes within elongate magma fingers at the margin of the Shonkin Sag laccolith (MT, USA)
Köpping, J., Cruden, A. R., Magee, C., McCarthy, W., Geissman, J. & Holm, D., 1 Apr 2023, In: Journal of Structural Geology. 169, 25 p., 104829.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Dyke architecture, mineral layering, and magmatic convection; new perspectives from the Younger Giant Dyke Complex, S Greenland
Koopmans, L., McCarthy, W. & Magee, C., 1 Mar 2022, In: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 23, 3, 22 p., e2021GC010260.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review