Research Projects
My research pursues questions broadly focused in geochemical, petrologic, and volcanological problems – with an emphasis on magmatic processes related to flood basalt emplacement, crystal growth, and geochemical cycling. I aim to explore research topics that are creative and applicable for human innovation - combining my passion for geologic investigation with my interpersonal communication skills and focusing on the intersectionality between academic research which expands human knowledge, and the real-world applications of these findings. I enjoy comparing characteristics and trends between volcanic systems, especially the challenge of distinguishing geochemical and spatial variability with time.
01
Continental Flood Basalts
Eruptions of Continental Flood Basalts (CFB) represent some of the most voluminous volcanic events in earth’s history, impacting global temperatures and climate. These environmental responses are triggered by volatiles released during an eruption, and largely controlled by the volume of extruded material and the duration of eruptive activity.
02
Sunstones
Sunstones are large (1-10 cm) calcic plagioclase crystals (An65 to An72) that contain macroscopic platelets of copper and exhibit red, green, and yellow colors. Found in porphyritic lavas in eastern Oregon, they are a ethically sourced gemstone found exclusively in the United States.
03
Methods in ArAr Geochronology
This work focuses on procedural methods for samples affected by recoil in 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Recoil is the loss of 39Ar during the irradiation of samples. Neutron bombardment can move 39Ar out of its original site to new sites or remove it from the system altogether. The loss of 39Ar results in steps with older modeled ages than the true closure age. Increased resolution in modern mass spectrometers reveals recoil issues not previously recognizable in older 40Ar/39Ar experiments.
04
Lithium in Calderas
The primary global source of Li is found as enriched brines in closed-basin settings concentrated during geothermal activity. Conversely, volcanic mudstones rich in Li have been identified in northern Nevada (i.e. Thacker Pass). These volcanic lacustrine deposits are found within mid-Miocene rhyolitic calderas formed from volcanism associated with the Yellowstone plume. Model for ore-formation suggest a source of Li-rich magmas where the Li was subsequently leached by hydrothermal fluids and concentrated in clays formed within the caldera lake. Similarly aged rhyolitic calderas exposed throughout eastern Oregon may be promising targets for Li exploration.
05
Carbon Sequestration
Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) of basalt is one of several Negative Emissions Technologies (NETs) identified as having the potential to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Basaltic and basaltic glass reacts with CO2 through mineralization of metal cations (Ca, Mg) and naturally sequesters it in soils via various geochemical carbonation processes. The goal of this work is to explore this material and (1) determine if basaltic glass could be used as an ERW source and (2) evaluate the impacts of basaltic mineralogy/texture on CO2 removal rate/capacity.
06
Volcanogenic Sedimentation
Coupling detailed stratigraphic observations with geochemical analysis helps unravel transport processes and depositional history associated with emplacement of volcanogenic sedimentary deposits. These deposits are intercalated with tuffaceous sandstone and siltstone that commonly contain reworked volcanic and organic
material, sourced from debris and hyperconcentrated flows.
07
Gold Provenance
Determining the provenance of Au and Au-ore is an ongoing challenge with limited analytically useful methods and no current isotopic applications, as 197Au is stable and makes up >99% of Au, the other Au isotopes have half-lives on the order of seconds or days. Depending on the geological region and processes of ore-formation, several other metals can be found together with gold: including Sb, Zn, Cu, Ag, and Pt. The objective is to determine the provenance of Au-bearing ore by characterization of the associated mineralization, and Au hosting material within a limited regional area.