MICHAEL O. GARCIA
|
Dept. of
Geology & Geophysics |
|
|
|
|
Biographical Sketch
Current Position: Professor of Geology (since 1988)
Education
Field Camp in Colorado, University of Kansas, 1970
B.A., Geology, California State University at Humboldt, 1971
Ph.D., Geology, UCLA, 1976
Dissertation:
Criteria for Recognition of Ancient Island Arcs in the Rock Record: Rogue River
Complex, Oregon”
Professional
Experience
Assistant Professor, Geology and Geophysics Dept., Univ. of Hawaii, 1976-83
Visiting
Associate Professor, Univ. of Calif. at Santa Barbara, 1982-83
Head,
Volcanology-Petrology-Geochemistry Division of Hawaii Institute of Geophysics,
1983-85, 2000-02
Associate Professor, Geology and Geophysics Dept., Univ. of Hawaii, 1983-88
Visiting Professor, M.I.T., 1989
Department
Chair, 1988-89
Visiting Scholar, Macquarie University, Australia, 1996, 2008
Visiting
Scholar, Australian National University, Australia, 2002, 2004, 2006
Visiting
Professor, University of the Philippines, 2006, 2009
Technical
Judge, US Nuclear Regulatory Comission, 2007-present
Background
Mike
was born and raised in coastal southern California where he developed a love
for working outside and near the ocean. He attended Humboldt State University
in Northern California to specialize in coastal processes but switched to
metamorphic petrology during his senior year. During graduate studies at UCLA he
ultrametamorphosed to an igneous petrologist because of the excitement related
to plate tectonic igneous processes. The study of volcanic rocks was an
important piece of the puzzle that helped demonstrate the universal application
of this paradigm to understanding the Earth. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on
establishing criteria for the recognition of ancient island arcs in the rock
record. Since joining the University of Hawaii, Mike has concentrated on
hotspot volcanism, especially on the active Hawaiian volcanoes, Kīlauea,
Mauna Loa and Lo`ihi.
Research
Mike’s current research is focused on
understanding how volcanoes work. Specifically, he is using the mineralogy and
geochemistry of lavas to delineate the magmatic plumbing systems of volcanoes.
Basaltic lavas provide essential clues into their subterranean history and are
one of our best "windows" into the mantle.
Active
volcanoes are a particularly
important site for study because we can combine many different types of
research (e.g., petrology, deformation, earthquakes, gas chemistry, field
observations) to better understand how these volcanoes work. This type of
cooperative study is essential if we are to be able to predict volcanic
eruptions. It also of use to those finding ore deposits associated with
volcanoes (e.g., gold). This research is part of a timeseries experiment to
better understand mantle melting processes, source heterogeneity and crustal
processes. It respresents the most intensive study of any active volcano and is
in cooperation with student Jared Marske and colleagues Aaron Pietruszka (Calif. State Univ. at San Diego), Mike Rhodes (University of
Massachusetts), Marc Norman
(Australian National University), and John
Eiler (Caltech). Garcia’s research involves field work on the active volcanoes
Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, submersible dives to examine the submarine flanks
of these volcanoes and their young submarine sister, Lo`ihi. Rejuvenated or secondary volcanism is another
area of current research is the that occurs in Hawaii and other oceanic
islands. The Honolulu Volcanics are a prime example. This volcanism occurs
after a gap in volcanism of about 1 million years and is well downstream from
the uprising mantle plume. The cause of the volcanism is hotly debated. Mike is
investigating with current and former students Chris Gandy, Lisa Swinnard and Ashton Flinders and colleagues Garrett Ito and Brian Taylor, the what, where and when of rejuvenated volcanism in
order to better explain why it is occurring.
Dry
Valleys of Antarctica is a new area
of research for Garcia after attending a field workshop looking at Jurassic
sill complexes in 2005. With colleagues at Univ. of Idaho and Colgate
University, he developed a follow up project to work on the Ordovician Vanda
Dike Swarm, which is spectacularly exposed in the Dry Valleys. A University of
Hawai`i undergraduate, Carolyn Parchetta,
joined him in the field work and is working on the structural interpretation of
the dikes.
Current Research Projects
- Monitoring the Composition of
Lavas from the Ongoing Puu Oo Eruption; the Longest and Most Voluminous
Historical Eruption of Kilauea Volcano
- Geologic History of Mauna Loa
Volcano (the largest volcano on Earth) as Revealed by Giant Landslides
- Geochemical Evolution of Loihi
Seamount, an Infant Hawaiian Volcano
- Origin of Rejuvenated Volcanism
on O`ahu, Kaua`i and Ka`ula
- Structural and Petrologic History
of the Vanda Dike Swarm, Antarctica
Students (both undergraduates and graduates) play an active
and critical role in these research activities. They are involved in field work
(both on land and at sea) and laboratory analyses using a wide variety of
analytical tools that are available at the University of Hawaii (Electron Microprobe, TIMS, ICP-MS, and XRF).
Past Research Projects
- Volatiles in Lavas from Hawaii,
Island Arcs, and Mid-Ocean Ridges and Mantle Minerals
- Petrologic Evolution of
Hawaiian Volcanoes: Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala, Lana`i, Ko`olau
- Formation of the Cretaceous
Oceanic Crust under Hawaiian Volcanoes
- Formation and Evolution of
Hotspot Chains; the Hawaiian-Emperors and Lines-Tuamotos
- Volcanic Arc Volcanism:
Cascades (Mt. St. Helens) and Central America (Arenal)
A listing of Garcia’s publications is available on line.
Teaching
Garcia teaches at all levels within the
university; from undergraduate, nonmajor introductory labs (GG101L) and
junior-level igneous petrology (GG302-rocks) to graduate level courses in
igneous petrology (GG603) and seminars in special topics (e.g., GG733- Cenozoic
evolution of California with field trip, GG711- Scientific paper writing). He
taught the undergraduate field geology course for 10 years. Teaching is what
makes working at a university fun and exciting for him.
Service
Professional Service
- Editorial Board, Journal of
Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 1980-1989
- Editorial Board, Journal of
Geodynamics, 1990 to 1994
- Editor, EOS Transactions of
AGU, Volcanology-Geochemistry-Petrology Section, 1995- 1997
- NSF Panels 1995, 2002, 2008
- Convener of Special AGU Sessions,
2002, 2005, 2008
- Editorial Board, GEOLOGY,
2007-present
- Scientific Program Committee,
International Association of Volcanology Conference 2008
Community Service
- President of the Hawaii Academy
of Science 1999-2001
- Public Lectures on Geology of
Hawaii and Volcanoes, especially to school groups
[ SOEST home | G&G home ]
Page last modified on: 16 Jun 2009