Research Students

Fieldwork and Labwork Photos:

     Photos from fieldwork, Hekla Volcano, Iceland, summer, 2005.
          Participants: Branden Christensen, Peter Oswald, Dennis Geist, Karen Harpp, Thor Gunderson.

     Photos from AGU Montreal, May, 2004.
          Participants: Alison Koleszar, Chris Karmosky, Jay Barr, Nathan Rollins, Matt Lambert, Branden Christensen, John Lyons, Dennis Geist, D.N. Harpp, Karen Harpp.

     Photos from fieldwork, Floreana Island, Galapagos, summer, 2003.
          Participants: Alison Koleszar, Karen Harpp, Dennis Geist (west half of island); Jay Barr, John Lyons, Patricio Villacis (east half of islands).

     Photos from research at Colgate during the summer of 2002.
          Participants: Susanna Blair, Leslie Reed, Johny Chaklader, Alison Koleszar.

     Photos from fieldwork, Wolf and Darwin Is., Galapagos, summer, 2002.
          Participants: Susanna Blair, Heidi Snell, Howard Snell, Rachel Teasdale, Nayda Teran, Karen Harpp, and the crew of the Beagle VI.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Evolution of mantle plumes via geochemical analysis of oceanic basalts, including high precision trace element analysis, isotopic analysis, and geochemical modeling; current projects focus on the formation and evolution of the Galápagos Islands and the Cocos and Carnegie Ridges.

Plume-ridge interaction processes, including geochemical, petrologic, structural, and tectonic relationships, as well as the origins of tensional volcanism; current project is focused on the Galápagos hotspot-spreading center system.

Development of analytical techniques and sample dissolution methods for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), as well as design of clean laboratory facilities adaptable to undergraduate institutions.

Structure and evolution of mid-ocean ridge magma chambers, using geochemical study of erupted lavas. Studies have included the East Pacific Rise (9°-10°N) and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the FAMOUS Area, using high precision isotopic and trace element analysis and geochemical modeling.

Science education, particularly development of approaches for teaching science in the context of practical examples, as well as design of outreach programs for elementary and middle school students.

Environmental studies of local interest (used primarily as student research projects); geochemical examination of sediment cores; detection of anthropogenic effects, determination of contaminant provenance using lead isotope ratios and concentrations.