Research

Highlighting my current and past research projects.

Magma–Hydrothermal Systems

Magma–hydrothermal systems transfer heat from the crust into circulating groundwater, linking magmatic activity with volcanic hydrothermal systems and geothermal resources. Understanding how these systems evolve is important for constraining the persistence and distribution of heat in the subsurface and for assessing geothermal potential. Through a U.S. Department of Energy SCGSR research appointment, I am working with Robert Podgorney and researchers at Idaho National Laboratory to investigate heat and fluid transport in magma–hydrothermal systems.

Dynamics of Water-Rich Volcanic Columns

Volcanic plumes can rise high into the atmosphere or collapse to form hazardous pyroclastic density currents. My research examines how external water influences this transition and the overall behavior of explosive eruption columns. Using the 1D plume model Plumeria, we found that small amounts of external water can suppress column collapse, while larger amounts can promote it through cooling. More recent thermodynamic work helps explain this behavior. At low to moderate water amounts, heat transferred from magma to water vapor can provide an additional buoyancy boost before cooling becomes dominant. This work helps explain how water can either promote or suppress column collapse, with implications for water-rich eruptions such as the 2022 Hunga eruption. A new paper expanding on these thermodynamic results is currently in preparation. (Corresponding author Edgar Carrillo, University of Oregon. Principal Investigator Kristen Fauria, Vanderbilt University).

Evolving Volcanic Pathways in the Shallow Crust

Volcanic pathways such as dikes, sills, and conduits can evolve as magma moves through the crust and interacts with the surrounding rock. These changes in geometry can influence how magma is transported and may affect broader eruptive behavior. My research in this area explores how processes such as conduit erosion, wall failure, and magma-driven pathway evolution can feed back on volcanic dynamics. I am particularly interested in how evolving geometry may influence flow localization, vent conditions, and the potential for changes in eruption style, including column collapse.

Thermodynamics of Magma Differentiation

The 2011-2012 eruption of Chile's Cordón Caulle volcano provides valuable insight into how high-silica rhyolite can form directly from basaltic magma. Observations of mafic (basaltic) enclaves surrounded by rhyolitic glass suggest this transformation process. Using the rhyolite-MELTS program, we simulated magma evolution under varying pressures and water contents. Understanding this mechanism enhances our knowledge of magma evolution and volcanic behavior, with applications to other volcanic systems to improve predictions of volcanic activity. Click 'Read More' below to see the full results. (Corresponding Author: Anna Ruefer - Stanford University; Principal Investigator: Guil Gualda - Vanderbilt University) This research was conducted as part of the MESSY group at Vanderbilt University.

Collaborations

My research has benefited from collaborations with scientists and institutions working at the intersection of numerical modeling, computational methods, and Earth system science. If you are interested in collaborating on projects involving scientific computing, geophysical modeling, data analysis, or related interdisciplinary research, please feel free to reach out.