My work couples field observations with numerical models (fluid flow and chemistry) to address fundamental earth science questions on these topics:
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.
How does caldera cooling affect Li and REE deposition?
What are the kinetics of critical mineral reactions?
How does fluid circulation transport pollutants?
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.
How do volcanic rocks cool?
How will climate change affect volcanic systems?
Which volcanoes are most likely to change climate?
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.
How do teleseismic waves change groundwater and trigger seismicity?
How does hydrology modulate fault motion?
How is water chemistry affected by earthquakes?
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.
What drives hydrothermal flow on ocean worlds?
Are ocean worlds habitable?
What controls ocean world seafloors and sediment?