Month: February 2016

Sessions of interest at the Goldschmidt 2016

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Session of interest to the GeoPRISMS Community will take place at the upcoming Goldschmidt Conference 26 June – 1 July in Yokohama, Japan. See below for more details.

Abstract submission deadline is February 26.

Abstract submission and directions are available at: http://goldschmidt.info/2016/abstracts

07e: Coupling Physics and Chemistry to Understand Subduction Zone Processes
07b: Geochemical Recycling in Subduction Zones: What Goes in, What Comes Out, and What Happens in between
04f: Mantle melting in Earth and planetary interiors

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Convenors: Jun-Ichi Kimura, Junichi Nakajima, Peter van Keken, Georg F. Zellmer, Tatsuhiko Kawamoto
Keynote: Shuichi Kodaira (JAMSTEC)
Subduction zones usually consist of a descending oceanic plate slab, a wedge mantle, and an overriding arc crust. Various geodynamic phenomena occur, such as deep and shallow seismicities, intensive deformation, high heat flux, geothermal fluid flow, and magmatic activities. These phenomena are due to the particular structure of subduction zones, such as an inverted geotherm, and large amounts of water in the system. The water descents with the subducted slab and is released at sub-arc depths. In addition, fluids and magmas well up and react with the mantle and the crust. These liquid fluxes and the associated heat flux affect to the dynamics of the solid arc system. This session aims to combine cutting-edge research results on the geophysical, geochemical, and geodynamic processes in a subduction zone. Furthermore, the overall structure of a subduction zone and operating processes will be discussed. The discussions will focus on geophysical and geochemical constraints, including (1) seismic activities in the subducting oceanic plate slab with relevance to hydration, dehydration, and melting of the slab, (2) dynamic processes in the wedge mantle related to convection of solids and liquids with reference to the conditions of fluids and magmas, and (3) seismic activities and deformations in the crust relevant to thermal structure, geofluids, and magma storage. We invite contributions that model these links or that can provide some insights to the various phenomena in subduction zones.

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07b: Geochemical Recycling in Subduction Zones: What Goes in, What Comes Out, and What Happens in between

Conveners: Thomas Pettke, Susanne Skora, Tatsuki Tsujimori, Sarah Penniston-Dorland, Matthias Konrad-Schmolke

Keynote speaker: Katy Evans (Curtin University)

This session aims at attracting geochemists and petrologists contributing to our better understanding of geochemical cycling and mass transfer of elements and isotopes in the subduction factory. Such processes are often at the onset of the global-scale dynamics that formed and have modified Earth’s geochemical reservoirs through time. Recent experimental, (micro)analytical and field-based research advances now allow us to gain unprecedented insights into how geochemical cycling has operated to form and continuously modify Earth’s geochemical reservoirs. We invite contributions that focus on what enters subduction zones, how this material evolves with progressive subduction and what is eventually recycled to the continental crust via arc magmatism or back to the convecting mantle. Studies dealing with element abundance and isotope ratio systematics, aqueous and carbonic fluid chemistries, halogens, fluid – solid phase petrology, thermal conditions, modelling, and field-based or experimental investigations are equally appreciated. We particularly encourage contributions that present provocative ideas and concepts, and unconventional approaches, to foster inspiring scientific exchange on the physical and chemical processes operating down to subarc depth.

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04f: Mantle melting in Earth and planetary interiors

Conveners: Sarah Lambart (UC Davis), Ananya Mallik (Bayerisches Geoinstitut), Sylvain Petitgirard (Bayerisches Geoinstitut)

Keynote speaker: Kei Hirose (ELSI, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Invited speakers: Asmaa Boujibar (NASA), Marius Millot (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Tatsuya Sakamaki (Tohoku University)

Mantle melting processes are of crucial importance for the differentiation of the Earth and planetary bodies. Melts affect physical properties of planetary mantles such as the rheology, conductivity and density along with governing the formation and redistribution of geochemical and volatile reservoirs. This session aims at understanding physical and chemical properties of melts in shallow to deep interiors of terrestrial and planetary bodies, from early accretion to present day dynamics. We especially encourage experimental studies on the melting of planetary interiors using large volume press, diamond anvil cell, and dynamic shock compression techniques. We invite submissions exploring melt chemistry, extraction of melt, effect of volatiles on the process of melting, physical properties of melt such as density, viscosity, structure and their effect on local to large-scale physical and chemical properties of the Earth and planetary bodies.

Job Posting: Faculty position

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Open Rank Endowed Faculty Position in Quantitative Geoscience – Department of Geological Sciences, Michigan State University

The Department of Geological Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU) seeks candidates for a full-time academic year endowed open rank tenure system faculty position in geosciences that we expect to fill in Fall 2016. We are a growing department with over $12 million in recently committed endowment funds. Exceptionally well-qualified candidates at any career stage have the potential to receive additional enhancement funding from endowment resources to support their research. The primary appointment for this position will be in the Department of Geological Sciences; possible collaborative arrangements can be explored with other units. Applications are encouraged from across a broad spectrum of geoscience research areas from applicants who employ advanced quantitative and computational analysis in their research.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applications of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities, and we endeavor to facilitate employment assistance to spouses or partners of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.

Minimum Qualifications:

A doctorate degree in quantitative geosciences. We seek a dynamic individual who will complement existing strengths within the department and who will develop a vigorous, externally-funded research program, teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students, contribute to a collegial, cohesive, and inclusive departmental environment, and proactively seek collaborative linkages with different units across campus.

Application Submission:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, statement of research interest, teaching experience and philosophy, and the names and contact information for three references to https://jobs.msu.edu  Posting Number: 2591

Review of applications will begin on February 1st, 2016, and will continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information:

Questions regarding this position can be directed to Dr. Michael Gottfried [Search Committee Chair] at gottfrie@msu.edu.

Department Website:

https://glg.natsci.msu.edu

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Please note, new job announcements (usually) will be distributed to the GeoPRISMS Listserv on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Africa Award for Research Excellence

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Africa Award for Research Excellence in Earth and Space Science

Twin awards, established in 2015 by the generosity of Sunanda Basu, will honor two early career scientists who are citizens or permanent residents of a country on the African continent

The awards, one in Space Science and the other in Earth or Ocean Sciences, will recognize recipients for their excellence and impact in research to these fields.

Award includes:

  • $1,000 monetary prize
  • Three-year membership to the AGU
  • Invitation to present a paper at the AGU Fall Meeting
  • Award winners will be eligible for travel support through the Lloyd V. Berkner Travel Fellowship to attend the AGU Fall Meeting

Nomination deadline: 15 March

For more information visit: honors.agu.org

 

Job Postings: Faculty and Postdoc Positions

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1) Two open-rank faculty positions, in the areas of solid earth dynamics, structure and evolution and/or ocean, atmosphere and/or climate – Columbia University

2) Postdoctoral research position Earthquake seismology and geodesy – Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan

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1) Two open-rank faculty positions, in the areas of solid earth dynamics, structure and evolution and/or ocean, atmosphere and/or climate – Columbia University

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DEES) is seeking outstanding scientists to fill two open-rank faculty positions, in the areas of solid earth dynamics, structure and evolution and/or ocean, atmosphere and/or climate. Appointment can be at any rank from tenure-track assistant professor to tenured full professor.

Columbia University’s vibrant program in these fields is one of the most highly rated in the United States and includes a world-class research and graduate training program, mostly based at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) in Palisades NY, and involving 100+ scientists and 90+ graduate students, as well as an undergraduate program on the Manhattan campus. Primary appointments are within DEES with 9 months of institutional salary support. The positions are based at, and will include affiliation with, LDEO. Secondary affiliation with Columbia’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) and Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics are possible, as is close collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History and NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

The successful candidates will develop high-impact research programs focused on problems of global significance and have demonstrated excellence in teaching or potential for such in the case of entry level appointments. Applicants should address the specific ways they would contribute to the research and teaching mission of DEES/LDEO. Minimum requirements for the position are demonstrated scientific creativity and a Ph.D. in a related field. Early-career scientists are especially invited to apply. Application review will commence on January 20, 2016 and continue until the positions are filled. For more information and to apply for either position please visit our online site at:

https://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=61767

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer — Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran.

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2) Postdoctoral research position Earthquake seismology and geodesy – Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan

The Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University seeks applicants for a two-year Postdoctoral research position to support a slow earthquake study in subduction zones, such as the Japan subduction zone, the Hikurangi margin, and the Mexican subduction zone. Position responsibilities include analyzing and collecting observation data using ocean bottom seismometers and pressure recorders. Other responsibilities include participating in international fieldwork and research cruises in Mexico, New Zealand, and elsewhere. The successful applicant must hold a Ph.D. in Geophysics or Geology. Please contact Assoc. Prof. Y. Ito (ito.yoshihiro.4w@kyoto-u.ac.jp) for additional information.

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Please note, new job announcements (usually) will be distributed to the GeoPRISMS Listserv on the 1st and 15th of each month.