Research Interests

Measuring rheology and other thermophysical properties of magma / lava to better model / understand rates and styles of ascent, eruption, and emplacement. We measure lava rheology, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity from ambient up to magmatic temperatures. Collaborative research group with ~6 grad students, weekly group meetings. A one month visit is best suited to a focused study of 1-3 samples aimed at answering a specific question at a specific volcano.

Hosting Period

currently no restrictions; our semesters run January 19 - May 14 and August 19 - December 11.

Facilities & Resources

Viscometers and rheometers capable of measuring viscosity / rheology from 10^-3 Pas to 10^13 Pas at temperatures from ambient to 1700˚C; Differential Scanning Calorimeter for measuring heat capacity, enthalpies of fusion etc from ambient to 1600˚C; Light Flash Analysis for measuring thermal diffusivity and conductivity from ambient to 1250˚C. Pycnometer for measuring density, connected and isolated porosity. Diamond core drills and saws for rock cutting, coring, slicing and polishing. Petrographic microscopes with cameras for textural analysis using reflected and transmitted light.

Project Language

English, French (can do mixed Spanglish but my spanish is not good; note that San Antonio is a bilingual city, English & Spanish)

Keywords

magma ascent, lava flows, rheology, thermorheological modeling

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