Name : KURITA,  Kei
            Position : Professor
            Division/Center : Division of Earth Mechanics
            Research Area : Evolution of Planetary Bodies
 


Research:

       Main research interests; 1) planetology, 2) volcanology, 3) physical properties of soft materials and 4) Convection.

       In planetological studies, focussed subjects are a) geomorphology of Mars and b) evolution of icy satellites. As for Mars, we are
       working on rampart craters and martian volcanism by using the surface images. Morphology of rampart craters are analyzed to deduce
       its formation mechanism. Morphological analysis of lava flows in Elysium region is aimed at determination of magmatic types as well
       as the eruption time scale. We belong to the Mars Imaging Camera group of Nozomi, a Japanese probe to Mars. As for the icy
       satellites thermal and structural evolution have been modeled through computer simulation with special care on the phase changes of
       ice/water. We have found the phase diagram of H2O is a key factor for the life time of the internal ocean. In volcanological studies,
       physical process of caldera forming large plinian eruption is a main subject. Our approach is based on a field survey on Towada volcano
       coupled with laboratory simulational experiments on vesiculation and magmatic transport. With the chemical analysis of melt
       inclusions in crystals, we are studying the preparatory process leading to the climactic caldera formation. As for the physical
       properties, we are particularly interested in rheology and transport properties of soft materials such as partially-molten state. In fluid
       dynamical studies, laboratory experiments on thermal convection of complex fluid is a main subject.

       Although these subjects seem to be diverse in the target and the way of approach, they are mutually interwoven in the concept.
       Throughout these subjects understanding of self-organized evolutionary process in the planetary bodies is the main theme. Strong
       hope in setting-up our research group is to provide diversified educational environment without any boundary for graduate students.

Publications:

    1.A. Namiki & K. Kurita, The influence of boundary heterogeneity in experimental models of mantle convection, Geophs. Res. Lett., 26,
       1929-1932, 1999.
    2.H. Demura & K. Kurita, A shallow volatile layer at Chryse Planitia, Mars, Earth Planets Space, 50, 423-429, 1998.
    3.I. Kumagai & K. Kurita, Interaction of periodic wave trains in magma conduits, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., 107, 131-141, 1998.
    4.H. Taura, H. Yurimoto, K. Kurita & S. Sueno, Pressure dependence on partition coefficients for trace elements between olivine and the
       coexisting melts, Phys. Chem. Minerals, 25, 469-484, 1998.