I am interested in the dynamics of the Earth's mantle, particularly related to volatile, heat, and melt transport. I use seismological methods to infer the structure of the upper mantle, and develop theoretical models of physical processes in the mantle to compare to these observations.
Teleseismic Receiver Functions
I have developed new methods for imaging and interpreting the structure of the upper mantle using telesesimic receiver functions (RFs). In particular I have combined depth-migration techniques with statistical methods to create maps of uncertainty of RF amplitude. These maps can be used in concert with ray path coverage to refine interpretations of upper mantle structure. I am currently applying these techniques to construct detailed maps of the lithospheric mantle at hotspots in the Pacific, to better constrain the interactions between mantle hotspots and the overriding plate.
Reactive Melt Transport
I am currently developing dynamic models of melting processes in the mantle. I am interested in how high-permeability melt channels develop as melt is extracted to the surface, and am particularly interested in how disequilibrium between the solid and the melt effects chemical signatures observed at the surface. These models will be applicable to both ridge and wedge melting systems.
Thesis Research
I developed new theoretical models to describe the dynamics of hydrous melting in the deep mantle,
encompassing the conditions and process of melt generation, dynamic melt spreading and melt-solid
chemical reactions, and recycling of melt into the deep mantle. Amongst other results, we find that the thickness of accumulated melt above the mantle transition zone is strongly dependent on the viscosity of the surrounding ambient mantle.
