Overview
Background
Dr Mojtaba Rajabi has over 15 years of extensive experience in crustal stress analysis, geomechanics, geomechanical-numerical modelling and petrophysics. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the University of Adelaide in 2017. Dr Rajabi has worked on the geomechanical analyses of >30 sedimentary basins from across the world including Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Mozambique, Iceland and Western Mediterranean. Since 2012, Dr Rajabi has worked on the Australian and World Stress Map projects, and currently is the Deputy-Head of the World Stress Map project. Dr Rajabi has received over 15 prestigious awards and prizes for his research including the ARC-DECRA Award, the Australian SEG Early Achievement Award, EAGE Louis Cagniard Award, EGU TS Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award, the Royal Society of South Australia's H.G. Andrewartha Medal, and the International Lithosphere Program’s Flinn-Hart Award.
Availability
- Dr Mojtaba Rajabi is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide
Research interests
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Geomechanics of Geo-Storage
Geomechanical considerations for underground CO2 & hydrogen storage.
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Structural Geology and Geomechanics
Analyses of in-situ stresses, and subsurface fractures and their implications in reservoirs and mines.
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Geomechanical-Numerical Modelling
Construction of 1D to 3D geomechanical models for safe and sustainable usage of underground.
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Neotectonic Stress Analyses
Determination of the contemporary state of stress and its relationships with recent structural styles.
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Petrophysics and Subsurface Geology
Analysis of geophysical logs and seismic data to characterise subsurface geology.
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Machine Learning and Artificial intelligence
Application of AI and ML in geosciences.
Works
Search Professor Mojtaba Rajabi’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Contribution of mine borehole data toward high-resolution stress mapping: An example from northern Bowen Basin, Australia
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Ziegler, Moritz, Heidbach, Oliver, Mukherjee, Saswata and Esterle, Joan (2024). Contribution of mine borehole data toward high-resolution stress mapping: An example from northern Bowen Basin, Australia. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 173 105630. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2023.105630
2022
Journal Article
Characterizing the contemporary stress orientations near an active continental rifting zone: A case study from the Moatize Basin, central Mozambique
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Esterle, Joan, Heidbach, Oliver, Travassos, Daniel and Fumo, Silvestre (2022). Characterizing the contemporary stress orientations near an active continental rifting zone: A case study from the Moatize Basin, central Mozambique. Basin Research, 34 (4), 1292-1313. doi: 10.1111/bre.12660
Featured
2018
Journal Article
The World Stress Map database release 2016: crustal stress pattern across scales
Heidbach, Oliver, Rajabi, Mojtaba, Cui, Xiaofeng, Fuchs, Karl, Mueller, Birgit, Reinecker, John, Reiter, Karsten, Tingay, Mark, Wenzel, Friedemann, Xie, Furen, Ziegler, Moritz O., Zoback, Mary-Lou and Zoback, Mark (2018). The World Stress Map database release 2016: crustal stress pattern across scales. Tectonophysics, 744, 484-498. doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2018.07.007
2017
Journal Article
The present- day stress field of Australia
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Tingay, Mark, Heidbach, Oliver, Hillis, Richard and Reynolds, Scott (2017). The present- day stress field of Australia. Earth-Science Reviews, 168, 165-189. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2017.04.003
2017
Journal Article
Prediction of the present-day stress field in the Australian continental crust using 3D geomechanical-numerical models
Rajabi, M., Heidbach, O., Tingay, M. and Reiter, K. (2017). Prediction of the present-day stress field in the Australian continental crust using 3D geomechanical-numerical models. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 64 (4), 435-454. doi: 10.1080/08120099.2017.1294109
2025
Conference Publication
Pore pressure in the Beetaloo Sub-basin
Ranjbarkarami, Rasoul, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Tavoosiiraj, Parisa (2025). Pore pressure in the Beetaloo Sub-basin. Australian Energy Producers Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26–29 May 2025. Clayton, VIC Australia: CSIRO. doi: 10.1071/ep24099
2025
Conference Publication
Beneath the surface: 3D geological model of northern Bowen Basin
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Sliwa, Renate and Esterle, Joan (2025). Beneath the surface: 3D geological model of northern Bowen Basin. Australian Energy Producers Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26–29 May 2025. Clayton, VIC Australia: CSIRO. doi: 10.1071/ep24214
2025
Other Outputs
World Stress Map Database Release 2025
Oliver Heidbach, Mojtaba Rajabi, Domenico, Di Giacomo, James Harris, Steffi Lammers, Sophia Morawietz, Simona Pierdominici, Karsten Reiter, Sebastian von Specht, Dmitry Storchak and Moritz O. Ziegler (2025). World Stress Map Database Release 2025. GFZ Data Services. (Dataset) doi: 10.5880/WSM.2025.001
2025
Other Outputs
WSM database description and guidelines for analysis of horizontal stress orientation from borehole logging
Mojtaba Rajabi, Steffi Lammers and Oliver Heidbach (2025). WSM database description and guidelines for analysis of horizontal stress orientation from borehole logging. Potsdam, Germany: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. doi: 10.48440/wsm.2025.001
2025
Journal Article
A review of the mechanics of lined engineered cavities and their implications on hydrogen storage
Leong, Chee Min, Ghayesh, Mergen H., Nathan, Graham J., Salmachi, Alireza and Rajabi, Mojtaba (2025). A review of the mechanics of lined engineered cavities and their implications on hydrogen storage. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 102, 749-766. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.467
2024
Journal Article
Natural creation of large rock cavern: can we construct them? Jenolan caves as a case study
Kong, Keith, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). Natural creation of large rock cavern: can we construct them? Jenolan caves as a case study. Applied Sciences, 14 (23) 10983, 10983. doi: 10.3390/app142310983
2024
Journal Article
Experimental investigation of alterations in coal fracture network induced by thermal treatment: implications for CO2 geo-sequestration
Salmachi, Alireza, Zeinijahromi, Abbas, Parker, Harrison Michael, Abdulhussein, Ahmad, Badalyan, Alexander, Kwong, Philip, Al-Afnan, Saad Fahaid Khalaf, Raza, Arshad, Yaseri, Ahmed Zarzor Hussien, Mahmoud, Mohamed, Ghasemi, Mohadese and Rajabi, Mojtaba (2024). Experimental investigation of alterations in coal fracture network induced by thermal treatment: implications for CO2 geo-sequestration. Energy, 308 132893, 132893. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132893
2024
Journal Article
Stress state at faults: the influence of rock stiffness contrast, stress orientation, and ratio
Ziegler, Moritz O., Seithel, Robin, Niederhuber, Thomas, Heidbach, Oliver, Kohl, Thomas, Müller, Birgit, Rajabi, Mojtaba, Reiter, Karsten and Röckel, Luisa (2024). Stress state at faults: the influence of rock stiffness contrast, stress orientation, and ratio. Solid Earth, 15 (8), 1047-1063. doi: 10.5194/se-15-1047-2024
2024
Journal Article
Spatial modelling and classification of altered coal using random forest-based methods at Moatize Basin, Mozambique
Maxwell, Kane, Rajabi, Mojtaba, Esterle, Joan, Tivane, Manuel and Travassos, Daniel (2024). Spatial modelling and classification of altered coal using random forest-based methods at Moatize Basin, Mozambique. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 215 105279, 105279. doi: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2024.105279
2024
Conference Publication
Recent findings and future of the World Stress Map Project
Heidbach, Oliver, Rajabi, Mojtaba, Ziegler, Moritz and Reiter, Karsten (2024). Recent findings and future of the World Stress Map Project. Tectonic Stress: from the lithosphere to the wellbore, London, United Kingdom, 21-22 May 2024. London, United Kingdom: The Geological Society.
2024
Journal Article
Variation of vertical stress in the McArthur and Beetaloo basins
Ranjbarkarami, Rasoul, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Tavoosiiraj, Parisa (2024). Variation of vertical stress in the McArthur and Beetaloo basins. Australian Energy Producers Journal, 64 (1), 203-218. doi: 10.1071/ep23179
2024
Journal Article
Defining the geomechanical operating limits for subsurface CO2 storage
Holford, Simon, Rajabi, Mojtaba, Mildren, Scott, King, Rosalind and Bailey, Adam (2024). Defining the geomechanical operating limits for subsurface CO2 storage. Australian Energy Producers Journal, 64 (1), 24-35. doi: 10.1071/ep23126
2024
Journal Article
A novel approach for geomechanical modelling in the absence of stress magnitude data
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Ziegler, Moritz, Ranjbarkarami, Rasoul and Tavoosiiraj, Parisa (2024). A novel approach for geomechanical modelling in the absence of stress magnitude data. Australian Energy Producers Journal, 64 (2), S275-S279. doi: 10.1071/ep23123
2024
Conference Publication
Neotectonic stress characterization of New Zealand along the Australia–Pacific plate boundary
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Ziegler, Moritz, Heidbach, Oliver and Ziebarth, Malte (2024). Neotectonic stress characterization of New Zealand along the Australia–Pacific plate boundary. EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14-19 April 2024. European Geoscience Union. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6837
2024
Conference Publication
Faults and the stress state – a complicated relationship
Ziegler, M., Reiter, K., Heidbach, O., Seithel, R., Rajabi, M., Niederhuber, T., Röckel, L., Müller, B. and Kohl, T. (2024). Faults and the stress state – a complicated relationship. 84.Jahrestagung der Deutschen Geophysikalischen Gesellschaft, Jena, Germany, 10-14 March 2024. German Geophysical Society (Deutsche Geophysikalische Gesellschaft).
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Mojtaba Rajabi is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Available PhD projects
If you are interested in any of the below topics, please:
1: Check the scholarship round deadline at the University of Queensland, here: https://scholarships.uq.edu.au/scholarship/graduate-school-scholarships-uqgss-%E2%80%93-includes-rtp
2: Check your eligibility (including English language requirement) for doing a PhD at the University of Queensland, here: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/doctor-philosophy-7501#how-to-apply
3: If you meet the criteria, please send me an email (explaining your preferred topic for your PhD) with your CV to discuss the project.
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Project 1: Maximum sustainable injection pressure and fault-slip analysis during geological CO2 & H2 storage.
Project 2: In-situ stress, geological structures, and fluid flow in eastern Australian basins.
Project 3: Impacts of dynamic topography on the Australian stress pattern.
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Geomechanical and structural characterization of Australian sedimentary basins using multi-disciplinary and multi-scale approaches
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Geomechanical modelling of basin-scale CO2 storage
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing reservoir characterisation for a sustainable energy future in the Beetaloo Sub-basin
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle
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Master Philosophy
Structural architecture of South DAguilar-Beenleigh Subprovinces: Implications for development of critical infrastructure in Southeast Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Renjie Zhou
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Doctor Philosophy
How wide can a rock reinforced cavern be opened?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jurij Karlovsek
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Application of machine learning methods for improved resource estimation in intruded coal deposits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hassan Khosravi
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Variability in stress, fracture and key coal reservoir parameters in the Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Mojtaba Rajabi directly for media enquiries about:
- Carbon Capture and Storage
- Crustal Stress
- Earthquakes
- Fault Reactivation
- Faults and Fractures
- Geo-Storage
- Geomechanical-Numerical Modelling
- Geomechanics
- Induced Seismicity
- Rock Mechanics
- Subsurface Fluid Flow
- Tectonics
- Tectonophysics
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