• Pilot investigation of the viscosity, dynamics and morphology of ferrovolcanism through large-scale experiments Asteroid 16-Psyche, 5/1/20-4/30/22, $29,523, Collaboration for Unprecedented Success and Excellence (CUSE) Grant, J.A. Karson and R.J. Wysocki
• Ferrovolcanism and mingling of silicate and iron-rich flows (with Arianna Soldati, NCSU, Jeffrey Karsson and James Farrell, SU)
• Effect of vesicles on the rheology of basaltic lava (with Arianna Soldati, NCSU, Jeffrey Karson and James Farrell, SU)
• Transition from viscous flow to pore-pressure-induced rapid slip of basaltic lava flows over wet surfaces (Chris Sant, Jeffrey Karson, SU and Ben Edwards (Dickinson College)
• Contamination of basaltic lava by volatiles in wet substates (Chris Sant, Jay Thomas & Jeffrey Karson (SU)
• Lava poured in a square cross-section steel channel to determine details of rheology (with Einat Lev & Marc Spiegelman, LDEO)
• Lava channel behavior as it encounters various types of barriers (Kathy Cashman & Hannah Dietterich, U of OR)
• Quantifying lava-ice interactions as analogs for lavas associated with the Icelandic Eyafjallajökull eruption, 2010 (with Ben Edwards, Dickinson College)
• Influence of crystals on lava viscosity and morphology (Tracy Gregg, Buffalo & Jeff Karson, Syracuse University)
• Lava flow behavior on surfaces of different roughness (Tracy Gregg, Buffalo & Einat Lev, LDEO)
• Lava contamination and diffusion around xenoliths (with Ben Edwards, Dickinson College)
• Influence of effusion rate, temperature and slope on basaltic lava flow morphology (Jeff Karson, Syracuse University and various collaborators)
• Effective viscosity and morphology of lavas of different composition (Andesite, Komatiite, Phonolite, Carbonatite) (Jeff Karson, Syracuse University & various collaborators)
• Comparison of different approaches to viscometry in lavas (with Alan Whittington, U of Missouri, Einat Lev, LDEO)
• Texture and composition evidence of algal mats overrun by lava as a possible Mars analog (Chris Junium, Tara Kohan, Syracuse University)
• Distribution of crystals and vesicles in lavas with controlled flow parameters (Karen Harpp, Colgate University)
• Lava fragmentation and formation of pillow lavas (with Ben Edwards, Dickinson College)
• Flow dynamics of komatiitic lavas as analogs for the early Earth (Arianna Soldati, U of Missouri, and others)
• Clastogenic flows produced by agglutinated spatter (Erica Rader, U of Idaho, Karen Harpp, Colgate)
• Dynamics of lunar impact melts (Christopher Hamilton, U of Arizona, and others)
Student Projects
• Quantifying morphologic transitions between flow morphologies with respect to slope, temperature and effusion rate (Chris Sant, PhD student, Syracuse University)
• Rapid slip hydroplaning of lavas over hydrous and dry ice surfaces (Chris Sant, PhD student, Syracuse University)
• Quantification of temperature and slope influence on basaltic lava flow morphology (Matt Kissane, MS Syracuse University, 2011)
• Diffusion in basaltic glass as an analog for lunar impact glass (David Gombosi, Syracuse University)
• Clinopyroxene-chains in quenched and slowly cooled basaltic lavas (Cassandra Smith, Whitman College- summer project at Syracuse University)
• Effect of synthetic crystals (stainless steel) on basaltic lava viscosity (Susanne Spencer, Syracuse University)
• Surface folds in basaltic lava and implications for lava crust rheology (Elan Schoonmaker, Syracuse University)
• Volatile content of basaltic lavas in the Syracuse Lava Project (Micheal Vicki, Syracuse University)
Also see Keck Geology Consortium Student Projects
Testing Equipment for Field Use on Natural Lava Flows
Several investigators have asked to test equipment for use on active natural lava flows in our facility:
Boom-mounted, vertical perspective video and FLIR cameras for video analysis of lava flow dynamics (Einat Lev, LDEO)
Oblique or vertical perspective laser scanner for detailed lava flow morphology during flow (Christopher Hamilton, NASA Goddard Center)
Spectral scanner for exoplanet exploration (Sarah Seager, MIT)
Thermocouples and melt water flow measurements for lava-ice systems (Ben Edwards, Dickinson College)
3D digital imaging of lava flows (Hannah Dietterich & Dept. of Geography collaborators, U of OR)
Infrared mapping of natural and experimental lava flows (Rachel Lee, SUNY Oswego)