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Garrett Ito Associate Professor Geology and
Geophysics Department |
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Education
B.A. Physics,
Ph.D. Marine Geophysics, MIT/Woods Hole Joint Program, 1996
Professional History
2004- present: Associate
Professor, Geology and Geophysics Department, SOEST,
2002- 2004: Assistant
Professor, Geology and Geophysics Department, SOEST,
2000-2001: Assistant
Professor, Department of Geology,
1996-1999: SOEST Young
Investigator, Department of Geology and Geophysics,
1990-1996: Research Assistant, MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography
Publications
Research
My research focuses on the mantle and lithospheric processes
controlling the origin and evolution of hotspots and mid-ocean ridges. I use a
variety of geophysical and geochemical data to characterize crustal and mantle
density structure. These analyses are integrated with computer simulations and
laboratory experiments, which examine the asthenospheric and lithospheric
processes.
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Faulting and magmatism at mid-ocean ridges: In
collaborating with Mark Behn, I am using numerical models to study how
magmatism and faulting shapes the morphology of mid-ocean ridges. Mid-ocean ridges are where the tectonic
plates are diverging and generating all of the seafloor. |
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Oceanic Basalt Geochemistry: J. Mahoney and I have
developed theoretical models to explore the consequence of mantle convection
and melting of a heterogeneous mantle source.
This work is showing large portion of the rich geochemical diversity
found in mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and ocean
island basalts (OIBs) can arise out of the melting
process alone, independent of any variation in the composition of the mantle
source.
Magma Transport: My colleagues and I have used both laboratory
experiments and numerical models to study magma transport in the lithospheric
portion of the mantle and crust.
Hotspot-Ridge Interaction: I use a combination of
geophysical data (bathymetry, gravity, and seismics)
with 3-D computer simulations of upper mantle flow and melting to examine the
dynamics of plume-ridge interaction.
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During our research cruise to the
Galapagos plume-ridge system, we collected crustal seismic data and
sampled ridge-axis basalts. Together these data will help us understand
processes of mantle flow and magma generation at this classic plume-ridge
system. My student and I are using the multi-channel reflection data to
reveal the detailed structure of the crust, including how magma is being
stored. |
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3-D computer models are used to examine the causes
for the V-shaped crustal features that extend hundreds of kilometers south of
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Graduate Students
Todd
Bianco (Ph. D): Todd is examining mechanisms of hotspot volcanism,
alternative to melting of an upwelling mantle plume. One mechanism is mantle
decompression beneath the flexural arch surrounding growing shield volcanoes.
Todd has developed models of mantle flow and melting beneath the flexural arch,
which predict the volume and geochemistry of the magmas produced; see Bianco et al,[2005].
Todd is also using numerical models to study how 3-D upper mantle
convection and melting contributes to geochemical variations at hotspots such
as Hawaii and Iceland.
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Model geometry & melting rates of
2 components
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Surface magma composition
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Eric Mittelstaedt (Ph. D.): Eric is studying
how the interaction between hotspots and mid-ocean ridges influences off-axis
volcanism and shapes the geometry of the mid-ocean ridge plate boundary. He is
developing numerical models to examine how mantle plumes stress the lithosphere
and how this influences the ability of magma to penetrate to the surface [Mittelstaedt and Ito, 2005].
He is also using finite difference models to study how magmatism can influence
the rheology of the plate to promote changes in the axis of seafloor spreading
[Mittelstaedt et al., 2008]
Ashton Flinders (M.S.)
Ashton is using gravity to study the internal volcanic structure of the Island
of Kauai and the bathymetric swells surrounding the island.
Courses Instructed
GG304: Physics of the Earth and Planets, Spring
2009
GG681:
Continuum Mechanics in Geophysics , Spring 2008
GG410/610 Student Seminar, Spring
2006
GG711 Magma and Mantle Dynamics, Fall 2006
