Our work couples field observations with numerical models (fluid flow and chemistry) to address fundamental earth science questions on these topics:

A volcanic eruption with a large plume of ash and smoke rising into the sky, originating from the volcano's summit.
Large warehouse building near the water with rocks in the foreground and a stormy sky.
Photography of Earth's horizon at night with bright emissions and light reflecting off the surface.
A diagram illustrating a lithium-ore genesis, showing hydrothermal fluid flow with labels for lithium, lithium-rich clay, and hydrothermal fluid flow.

Critical minerals (Li, Cu, Ni, Co, and REE) are key to most technologies addressing global climate change and often are produced or modified by hydrothermal circulation. We couple field observations to lab and numerical experiments to make a predictive framework for exploration and to mitigate environmental effects of extraction. Below I highlight some representative questions addressed by our research.

  • Caldera cooling model with light colors showing hot fluids advected away from the magma chamber.

    How does caldera cooling affect Li and REE deposition?

    [abstract]

  • Photo from mercury mine in Nevada.

    How does fluid circulation transport pollutants?

Diagram of volcano, its hazards, and the associated hydrothermal systems

Volcanic hazards affect and are affected by climate. We use field observations of cooling volcanic rocks to understand when and where volcanic hazards start and stop and how they affect people. We treat hydrothermal systems as a window into fundamental volcanic processes. Below I highlight some representative questions addressed by our research.

Ocean moons appear to be common in the solar system. The most likely source of both the energy and nutrients required for life on these moons is hydrothermal circulation. My research focuses on understanding the dynamics and aqueous chemistry of ocean worlds’ groundwater flow.

Diagram showing the icy moon layers: core, sediment, ocean, and ice.
Diagram showing groundwater flow during earthquake.

Earthquakes are not predictable yet some faults appear to be sensitive to hydrologic changes and to other earthquakes. We use observations at wells, springs, and mud volcanoes to understand how groundwater changes stress within fault zones and responds to very distant earthquakes. This is a window into fundamental earthquake process physics.

Spectrogram of distant earthquake that produced water level response.

How do teleseismic waves change groundwater and trigger seismicity?

Plate boundary in eastern Taiwan.

How does hydrology modulate fault motion?

Mud volcano eruption.

How is water chemistry affected by earthquakes?