Supercontinent Cycles and Assembly of Gondwana

Supercontinent cycles remain one of the most significant and poorly understood aspects of the global geodynamic system. The Damara Orogen in Namibia records the assembly and break-up of two supercontinents.

Tectonic Setting and Kinematics of Eocene Extension in the Northern Rockies

We study metamorphic core complexes in Montana and Idaho to understand the Eocene plate tectonic setting, processes involved in exhumation and collapse of the Cordilleran Orogen, and the causes of the widespread Challis-Bitterroot igneous activity.

Enhanced Rock Weathering of Basalt

Graduate student projects on applications of basalt rock flour in agriculture settings for soil health and direct from atmospheric CO2 removal. This project is collaborative with prominent UF scientist from IFAS and will include:

• Identifying and characterizing the optimal mafic volcanic material for use in crop, pasture, and forest settings.
• Established optimal parameters for enhanced weathering of basalt.
• Establishing large, monitored pot studies of different applications of basaltic material on soils, with and without additional fertilizers.
• Monitoring the plant growth, and weathering of the basalt in these microcosms using soil testing and fluid sampling.
• Determining the amount of atmospheric CO2 absorption through chemical analyses of bicarbonate production and by basalt mineral breakdown measured by XRD.
• Scale the project to field studies where enhanced weathering and CO2 removal will be determined through soil testing and measurements of alkalinity in pore water.