Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology

The University of Hawaii is uniquely situated to study all major aspects of volcanic systems. Active Hawaiian volcanoes are natural laboratories of intraplate volcanism and hydrothermalism; eroded fossil volcanic systems on the older islands provide windows into deeper volcanic structures; and Hawaii is at the center of the Pacific "Ring of Fire". Also, we study submarine volcanoes with our research vessel, and we remotely monitor volcanoes on Earth and other planets with ground-based and space-borne observatories. The Hawaii Center for Volcanology is housed at SOEST; it includes scientists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes at UH Hilo, facilitating collaborative projects to monitor active volcanoes. Additionally, VGP has a wide range of modern, well-equipped analytical laboratories that provide data on the chemical composition and physical properties of igneous materials.

Current Research Programs

• Ocean Spreading Center Processes: Petrologic, geochemical and isotopic variations along and across mid-ocean ridges and backarc basin spreading centers; geometry and dynamics of mantle flow, melt generation and magma chambers beneath spreading centers; near axis seamount genesis; hot spot-spreading center interactions; magmatic systems at propagating rifts; geochronology of submarine volcanism, elemental fluxes from erupting mid-ocean ridge volcanoes.
• Physical Volcanology: Eruption and emplacement of lava flows, flood basalt volcanism; physical properties of melts and lavas; explosive volcanism from silicic and intermediate volcanic centers, calderas and related ignimbrites; volcanic processes on extra-terrestrial bodies; volatile degassing and retention in magma chambers, environmental impact of eruptions; origin of dike complexes and rift zones.
• Intraplate Volcanism and Volcano Monitoring: Petrologic, geochemical, isotopic, and geologic evolution of Hawaiian and other oceanic islands and seamounts; Petrologic, seismic, and geodetic monitoring of magmatic systems at active Hawaiian volcanoes, including a fiber optic-linked observatory on Loihi Seamount; satellite monitoring of volcanic hazards and eruption clouds; remote-sensing observation of extra-terrestrial volcanoes. Relationship of hot spots to flood basalt and oceanic plateau formation; geochemistry of active hydrothermal systems.

VGP Shore-Based Analytical and Experimental Laboratories:

Radiogenic Isotope Facilty, including:

• VG54-30 multi-collector high-abundance-sensitivity thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS) for positive and negative ions analysis
• VG Sector multi-collector thermal ionization mass spectrometer
• class 1000 clean laboratory
• Radioactive-isotope tracer and dating facilities
• Cameca SX-50 Electron Microprobe
• VG Plasmaquad II+ ICP-MS with UV laser.
• Siemens SRS-303 Automated X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF)
• Instruments for measuring electrical conductivity on rocks or rock melts, thermal conductivity and thermal expansion, porosity and gas permeability
• Thin section and rock preparation labs
• Crystal cutting and polishing facilities

Experimental Petrology Laboratory:

• one atmosphere CO2-H2 gas-mixing furnace (Deltech 1700 oC)
• Argon-medium high pressure line for cold seal vessels (TZM/HZM) operating up to 1100 oC and 2 kbar, with one rapid quench furnace and one traditional quench furnace
• water-medium line for cold seal vessels (waspaloy), seven clamshell 1100 oC furnaces and plans for 4-5 vertical tube furnaces for rapid-quenching of runs up to 3 kbar
• pressure variator by Harwood Engineering for automated pressure control (60,000 psi) in the water-medium line
• Mettler 5-place analytical balance
• Olympus BX-51 Pol microscope and Olympus 5050 Zoom digital camera with connected color TV
• thin sectioning and polishing equipment, including Buehler high-speed saw, and 10" lap wheel, and Vibromet polisher