My research focus is geodynamics, specifically how rheology of geologic materials affects viscous flows. The flow I study range from construction of lava domes and lava flows, to mantle convection and plate subduction. I use numerical models to look at interactions between different factors such as geometry, flux, viscosity, temperature, and so on. I also use observations of flows, from both lab experiments and from the field. I did my PhD at MIT and a postdoc at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University in New York. Since 2013 I am a Lamont Assistant Research Professor.

During my visit at ERI I will work on two projects, dealing with lava dome and lava conduits. In the first project, with Maeno-san, I will look at the 2011 eruption of Shinmoedake, and use numerical models to constrain the time evolution of the viscosity of the dome. I hope to also visit Shinmoedake, and perhaps collect aerial photos of the dome if the weather permits. The second project I will work with Namiki-san at the Earth Science department. We will make physical models of mass exchange in a magmatic conduits, using syrup and chemicals to create foam. To date, all models of conduit flows were done using regular fluids even though we know there are many bubbles in the magma. We hope to explain cyclic behavior observed in open-vent volcanoes and lava lakes.

My ERI office is 310 in Building #2. Please stop by to say hello and talk about research and Japan!

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