Research Interests
:Petrogenesis of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and island arc lavas and plutons; Relationships between tectonics and magmatism; Segment-scale chemical variations in MORB; Off-axis and near-ridge seamount volcanism; Temporal variability in MORB chemistry; Development of island arcs; Ridge-hotspot and ridge-trench interactions, t
he origin and diversification of magmas from oceanic spreading centers and island arcs; in particular, trace element, isotopic and phase chemical studies to determine the sources and processes involved in magma genesis; structural and tectonic controls on the development of seamounts and spreading centers; geochemistry and petrology of subduction zone igneous and metamorphic rocks.I have had extensive experience in mapping and sampling mid-ocean ridges and a few island arcs. In my marine research I utilize the submersible Alvin, a number of different remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and towed camera and side-scan sonar sleds. In my labs I have petrographically and geochemical analyzed oceanic rocks from the East Pacific Rise, Cayman Trough, Galapagos Spreading Center and the Juan de Fuca Ridge. These analyses have provided significant understanding of volcanism and petrogenesis at ridges and provides critical information about the construction of oceanic lithosphere.
Recent theses of my students:
Geochemistry of Eastern Pacific Morb: Implications for Morb Petrogenesis and the Nature of Crustal Accretion within the Neovolcanic of two Recently Active Ridge Segments - Matthew C. Smith Ph.D. 1999
Petrology and Geochemistry of the Mid-Cayman Rise: An End-Member for the Lower Crust of a Mid-Ocean Ridge Sharon –Perez-Suarez M.S. 2001
Magmatic and Tectonic Effects of Mid-Ocean Ridge Interactions with Hotspots and Subduction Zones –- David J. Chadwick Ph.D. 2002
Petrology and Geochemistry of MORB Samples from the East Pacific Rise Between 9º24' and 10º06'N: Implications for Off-Axis Magmatic Processes and Parental Melt Compositions. - Scott Kutza M.S. 2002