Research
Wind Affected Eruption Plumes
I used the Active Tracer High resolution Atmospheric Model (ATHAM) to simulate explosive eruptions at multiple eruption strengths, latitudes, and wind profiles to observe how plume stability is influenced by wind. I found that wind can indeed destabilize plumes, but the altitude of the wind must be at low altitudes close to the vent.
Explosive Volcanism as a Hydrator of martian Regolith
I used ATHAM as well as the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique Global Circulation Model (LMD GCM) to simulate explosive eruptions and deposition on Mars. By comparing modeled ash deposition results with Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS) water concentration data, I found that ash sourced from explosive volcanism correlates moderately well with enigmatic regolith hydration patterns.
The Search for Lava Tubes
Using thermal infrared measurements from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), I attempted to find signatures of roofed over lava tubes on the Eastern Snake River Plain, ID in support of finding habitation for future lunar astronauts. Lava tubes make excellent habitats for lunar astronauts as they block micrometeorites. provide safe havens from UV radiation, and remain at a fairly constant temperature.
Geomorphology of martian Gullies
While interning at NASA Ames Research Center, I measured the dimensions of gullies in Asimov Crater and calculated their erosional and depositional volumes using HiRISE data, ENVI/ArcMap, and Python. I also estimated sediment flux. We found, through this analysis and others, that these gullies were likely carved by liquid water.
Seismic Investigations in Antarctica
For my senior thesis at UC Santa Cruz, I investigated the Whillans Ice Stream (WIS), a tidally modulated ice stream that produces large magnitude slip events at every high tide. I mainly conducted analysis on smaller seismic events of WIS, which I found to be temporally and spatially distinct, occurring at low tide and at the grounding zone of the ice stream.
