Volcanology Research Group
Volcanology Research Group
What we're interested in:
The transfer of gases from Earth's interior to the surface and the atmosphere.
Natural hazards and their mitigation.
Replenishment and eruption of large silicic systems.
Magma chamber flow dynamics and caldera collapse analogue modelling.
People
The Boss:
Prof. John Stix
View my CV:-
I'm interested in :-
1. Petrology and geochemistry of intermediate and felsic magmas.
2. Micro-analysis of trace volatile and light lithophile elements by ion microprobe, inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and electron microprobe studies.
3. Understanding physical processes and forecasting eruptions at active subduction-zone volcanoes.
4. Geochemistry of volcanic gases, their use for eruption prediction, and their impact on the atmosphere.
5. New infrared remote sensing techniques to measure gases at active volcanoes.
6. Integration of geological, geochemical, and geophysical datasets to model volcano plumbing systems.
7. Structure and modelling of caldera systems.
8. Subaqueous volcanism.
Click here for John's notorious Cola-Mentos volcanic eruption!
The Postdoc:
Marc-Antoine Longpré
Click here for my research webpage!
My
postdoctoral research focuses on Concepción and Cosigüina volcanoes,
in Nicaragua. I aim to better define the magmatic conditions that lead to explosive
eruptions at these volcanoes. For this purpose, I am using the composition of
minerals and volcanic glasses found in pyroclastic deposits to determine the
pressure and temperature at which the magma was sitting before it erupted, and
what was its volatile content. Amongst other deposits, I am looking at the Tierra
Blanca dacite pumice at Concepción and the 1835 A.D. andesite scoria
fall at Cosigüina.
I am also pursuing research projects on volcanoes of the Canary Islands, especially
regarding the role of large-scale flank collapse events in influencing the eruptive
regime and magma plumbing dynamics of these large shield volcanoes. I am also
interested in the origins of crystal-rich lava flows, called ankaramites, which
sometimes erupt from these volcanoes.
The Grads:
(click the volcano image for more information)
Crystal Mann (Ph.D)
Olivier Nadeau (Ph.D)
I study a domain that sits at the interface between volcanology and metallogenesis. I am interested in the magmatic-hydrothermal transition at Merapi volcano, Indonesia. Volcanic gases are used to get insights on the transport of metals in porphyry-epithermal-type ore deposits. Melt and fluid inclusions trapped in erupted phenocrysts allow me to study the metal bearing-fluid phase exsolution along the petrologic evolution of the melt at a specific timescale.
Christoph Helo (Ph.D) email me
Click here for my research webpage!
Learn more about the MBARI cruises on Axial volcano here
Jack Wilcock (M.Sc) email me
I am investigating the thermal history of a large silicic eruption (c. 400 cubic km) in north-central New Mexico that occurred at 1.2 Ma. The 18 x 20 km Valles caldera in the Jemez Mountains is the type example of a resurgent caldera and has thus been widely studied.
My research utilises novel cathodoluminscence and geothermometry techniques, particularly with application to quartz phenocrysts of the Bandelier Tuff and units related to caldera resurgence. By studying crystal zoning patterns in quartz and the distribution of trace elements within the lattice, we can begin to unravel the story of how this supervolcanic eruption may have been initiated.
http://www.excitingelectrons.com/
Read more about cathodoluminescence in the geosciences at Don Marshall's site from Relion Industries
Jason Coumans (M.Sc)
Jason will be starting his M.Sc at McGill in Fall 2010. During the summer, he will be undertaking a scientific cruise with the MBARI expedition to the Taney seamounts, off the Californian coast. More information available here
Gregor Lucic (M.Sc)
Gregor will also be starting his MSc in Fall 2010. He will be studying the generation of carbon dioxide plumes related to the Mammoth Mountain complex within the Long Valley caldera.
More information and current monitoring data available here
Undergraduate researchers:-
Erika Anderson (B.Sc) email me
Erika works closely with Marc-Antoine and Jack on their respective projects. In August 2009, she accompanied Marc-Antoine to the Nicaraguan volcanoes Concepción and Cosigüina. She is also using the McGill cathodoluminescence instrument, investigating the crystal zoning record.
Former researchers:-
Guillaume Girard (Ph.D '09) email me
Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Department of Geoscience, University of Iowa
Kim Berlo email me
NEWS |
|
Sep '10: Crystal Mann successfully defended her PhD thesis. Congratulations Dr Mann!! Marc-Antoine, Jack and John completed a successful 2 weeks of fieldwork in Nicaragua Marc-Antoine presented a GEOTOP talk entitled 'Volcans du Nicaragua: évolution magmatique et éruptions pliniennes' ('Nicaraguan volcanoes: magmatic evolution and plinian eruptions') Aug '10: Jason and John undertook a 10-day scientific cruise to the Taney seamounts on the MBARI expedition Feb '10: Marc-Antoine and Jack attended the GEOTOP student conference at McGill. Jack received the Prix du CRSNG 2010 for his poster exhibiting his MSc work Jan '10: Christoph won the Best Student Presentation - Volcanology, Geochemistry and Petrology section at the Fall AGU! :- Helo C, Longpré M-A, Shimizu N, Clague DA, Stix J (2009) High CO2 in MORB – a link to explosive submarine eruptions? Eos Trans. AGU, 90(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V21D-2029 |
Selected publications EHaz Alumni Links
| hit counters |
Last updated by JW, Sep '10
