Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology (VGP)
The Hawaiian Islands host two of the world’s most active volcanoes (Kīlauea and Mauna Loa) and are uniquely situated at the center of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. Our group studies active volcanoes and all major aspects of magmatism and volcanism in Hawaii and everywhere they occur on Earth.
VGP researchers examine fundamental questions related to how magmas are made, how they are transported to the surface, under what conditions they erupt, and the hazards they pose during an eruption.
The group also studies submarine volcanoes around the world using the UH and other research vessels, as well as human occupied and remote operated vehicles.
Group members remotely monitor volcanoes on Earth and other planets with ground-based and space-borne observatories, and study lunar and martian samples for clues about the early magmatic history of these planets.
VGP has a wide range of modern, well-equipped laboratories that provide data on the chemical composition and physical properties of igneous materials (see below).
UH scientists work in tandem with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and UH Hilo scientists to monitor active volcanoes.
Current Research Programs
Subaerial Volcanism and Magmatism:
Volcano Monitoring, Petrologic, geochemical, isotopic, and geologic evolution of Hawaiian and other oceanic islands; Petrologic, seismic, and geodetic monitoring of active Hawaiian magmatic systems; satellite monitoring of volcanic hazards and eruption clouds; remote-sensing observation of extra-terrestrial volcanoes and petrologic studies of extra-terrestrial samples.
Submarine Volcano Processes:
Petrologic, volcanologic, geochemical and isotopic variations along and across mid-ocean ridges and backarc basin spreading centers, arc and hot spot volcanoes; melt generation and magma chamber processes; active submarine volcanism and effects on marine environments; petrology of the deep lithosphere; hot spot-spreading center interactions; magmatic systems at propagating rifts; geochronology of submarine volcanism, geometry and dynamics of mantle flow.
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.
VGP Shore-Based Analytical and Experimental Laboratories
Electron Microprobe Lab:
- JEOL JXA-8500F (2008-2026) and JXA-iHP200F (2026-) Field-Emission Gun Electron Microprobes for fine-scale imaging and in-situ quantitative chemical analysis of all types of samples – organic to inorganic – at < 100nm (less than a human hair!) spatial resolution. ERTH 621 – ELectron Microprobe Analysis course is offered every fall semester to train MS/PhD students campus wide (permission needed for undergraduate students) to utilize the instrument for various research projects.
- 208C Cressington coater (2013-present) for deposition of fine layers of conductive material (Carbon) on samples
- Leica Carbon coater (2026 -) for carbon coating on various metal sources (carbon, aluminum, gold, iridium, etc.)
- Probe for EPMA software line
Radiogenic Isotope Facility (the “SOEST Isotope lab”), including:
- Nu TIMS (thermal ionization mass spectrometer) for isotope ratio analysis
- Class 10,000 metal-free clean room for ion-exchange chromatography
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
- Olympus BX-51 Pol microscope and Olympus 5050 Zoom digital camera with connected color TV
Scaled Earth Laboratory:
- Workshop for building scaled models (ramps, injection tanks, sand volcanoes…) for research and outreach/education
- Verdnasky Heating stage for in-situ observation, melting and/or crystallization of crystals, melts and volatile-bearing melt inclusions
- Microdrill, wafering saw and lapidary tools
- Leica DM-750P Microscope and Leica S9i Stereomicroscope equipped with cameras
Other Facilities:
- Instruments for measuring electrical conductivity on rocks or rock melts, thermal conductivity and thermal expansion, porosity and gas permeability
- thin sectioning and polishing equipment, including Buehler high-speed saw, and 10″ lap wheel, and Vibromet polisher
- Rock preparation labs
Research Divisions:
- Geophysics and Tectonics (G&T)
- Marine and Environmental Geology (MEG)
- Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology (VGP)
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