My research interests range from the eruptive history of volcanic fields to the crystallization of individual phenocrysts to the interactions of mafic and felsic liquids in magma chambers. I study the geochemical, geochronological, and physical aspects of continental magmatic systems. The research is field based, with supporting analytical tools including electron-microprobe analysis, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, geochemistry, and GIS. My current field areas include western Mexico and central Oregon.
Weathering of rock into regolith or soil is an important process that links the geosphere with the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The rates and mechanisms of soil formation depend on how these spheres interact and contribute to many important processes such as nutrient and carbon cycling. Integrating the rates of physical and chemical changes to bedrock over long time scales is one component of understanding the evolution of landscapes. To study these processes, I will be doing fieldwork in the High Cascades of central Oregon. The project will focus on physical and chemical weathering of volcanic rocks and a variety of factors that can influence the processes, including bedrock lithology and climate. We will attempt to trace geochemical signatures of the bedrock as it breaks down into soil. We will also study the water geochemistry to assess the effects of the bedrock and soil composition on the watershed.
Past Student projects
In the field.....
 
Hawaii (2003) ----------------- Scotland (2005)
 
Chile (2007) -------------------- Iceland (2007)
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