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Garrett Ito Associate Professor Geology and
Geophysics Department |
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Education
B.A. Physics,
Ph.D. Marine Geophysics, MIT/Woods Hole Joint Program, 1996
Professional History
2004- present: Associate
Professor, Geology and Geophysics Department, SOEST,
2002- 2004: Assistant
Professor, Geology and Geophysics Department, SOEST,
2000-2001: Assistant
Professor, Department of Geology,
1996-1999: SOEST Young
Investigator, Department of Geology and Geophysics,
1990-1996: Research Assistant, MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography
Publications
Research
My research focuses on the mantle and lithospheric processes
controlling the origin and evolution of hotspots and mid-ocean ridges. I use a variety
of geophysical and geochemical data to characterize crustal and mantle density
structure. These analyses are integrated with computer simulations and
laboratory experiments, which examine the asthenospheric and lithospheric
processes.
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Faulting and magmatism at mid-ocean ridges: In
collaborating with Mark Behn,
I am using numerical models to study how magmatism and faulting shapes the
morphology of mid-ocean ridges.
Mid-ocean ridges are where the tectonic plates are diverging and
generating all of the seafloor. |
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Oceanic Basalt Geochemistry: J. Mahoney and I have developed
theoretical models to explore the consequence of mantle convection and melting
of a heterogeneous mantle source. This
work is showing large portion of the rich geochemical diversity found in
mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and ocean island
basalts (OIBs) can arise out of the melting process alone, independent of any
variation in the composition of the mantle source.
Magma Transport: My colleagues and I have used both
laboratory experiments and numerical models to study magma transport in the
lithospheric portion of the mantle and crust.
Hotspot-Ridge Interaction: I use a combination of
geophysical data (bathymetry, gravity, and seismics) with 3-D computer
simulations of upper mantle flow and melting to examine the dynamics of
plume-ridge interaction.
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During our research cruise to the Galapagos
plume-ridge system, we collected crustal seismic data and sampled
ridge-axis basalts. Together these data will help us understand processes of
mantle flow and magma generation at this classic plume-ridge system. My
student and I are using the multi-channel reflection data to reveal the
detailed structure of the crust, including how magma is being stored. |
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3-D computer models are used to examine the causes
for the V-shaped crustal features that extend hundreds of kilometers south of
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Graduate Students
Todd
Bianco (Ph. D): Todd
is examining mechanisms of hotspot volcanism, alternative to melting of an
upwelling mantle plume. One mechanism is mantle decompression beneath the
flexural arch surrounding growing shield volcanoes. Todd has developed models
of mantle flow and melting beneath the flexural arch, which predict the volume
and geochemistry of the magmas produced; see Bianco et al,[2005].
Todd is also using numerical models to study how 3-D upper mantle
convection and melting contributes to geochemical variations at hotspots such
as Hawaii and Iceland.
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Model geometry & melting rates of
2 components
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Surface magma composition
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Eric Mittelstaedt (Ph. D.): Eric is studying how the
interaction between hotspots and mid-ocean ridges influences off-axis volcanism
and shapes the geometry of the mid-ocean ridge plate boundary. He is developing
numerical models to examine how mantle plumes stress the lithosphere and how
this influences the ability of magma to penetrate to the surface [Mittelstaedt
and Ito, 2005]. He is also using
finite difference models to study how magmatism can influence the rheology of
the plate to promote changes in the axis of seafloor spreading [Mittelstaedt
et al., 2008]
Ashton Flinders (M.S.)
Ashton is using gravity to study the internal volcanic structure of the Island
of Kauai and the bathymetric swells surrounding the island.
Courses Instructed
GG304: Physics of the Earth and Planets Spring
2006
GG681:
Continuum Mechanics in Geophysics , Fall 2004
GG410/610 Student Seminar, Spring 2006
GG711 Magma and Mantle Dynamics, Fall 2006
