Project Overview
A Geochemical Investigation of the Galapagos Mantle Plume
Department(s)
Earth and Environmental Geosciences
Abstract
Goals:
Far from the influence of continents, ocean islands such as the Galapagos host flora and fauna that followed unique evolutionary pathways and their volcanoes create extraordinary marine ecosystems. Their volcanoes are generated from long-lived rising plumes of hot mantle. The lavas that erupt to form these islands contain geochemical clues about long-term movements of the mantle. Each volcano eventually becomes extinct as it is transported away from its source plume by tectonic plate motion, eventually subsiding below the sea surface. In this study, lavas previously recovered from the now drowned part of the Galapagos island chain that formed between 5 and 10 million years ago will be analyzed for age and geochemical composition. Our research will test models of how mantle plume composition and melting can change over space and time. The work will also investigate mechanisms of volcanism that occur away from the mantle plume. Students will learn how to use a variety of analytical equipment for geochemical analysis, primarily inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Student Qualifications
1. Significant progress in the geology major.
2. Willingness and interest in working in a geochemical lab throughout the summer.
3. Facility with spreadsheet use and other appropriate research tools.
Number of Student Researchers
2 students
Project Length
7-10 weeks