Research
1. Mantle melting and thermal evolution of Earth
Understanding how Earth's mantle cooled over geological time is central to our knowledge of plate tectonics and habitability. Mantle peridotites preserve records of past melt extraction through olivine forsterite content, Re-Os depletion ages, and whole-rock major-element systematics.By compiling a global dataset of xenoliths and applying thermodynamic modeling, I reconstruct secular changes in mantle potential temperature. My results reveal a stepwise cooling history with a clear transition marking the onset of modern-style subduction, showing when Earth began efficiently releasing heat through plate tectonics.
2. Crustal heating and redistribution of radioactive elements
The thermal structure of Earth’s crust is strongly influenced by the distribution of heat-producing elements such as uranium, thorium, and potassium. During crustal differentiation, these elements become concentrated in the upper crust while the lower crust becomes depleted, producing a stratified concentration profile. Understanding how crustal thickness, magmatic processes, and tectonic setting control this redistribution is key to understand the thermal regime of crust. I combine geochemical datasets with numerical modeling to examine how variations in heat-producing element distribution affect crustal thermal gradients, melting behavior, and lithospheric stability. This work provides insight into the feedbacks between heat production, crustal structure, and tectonic processes, helping to explain why some continental regions remain stable over geological time.
Two-phase flow modeling of sulfide migration in crystal-rich mushes
Magmatic sulfide liquids segregate through crystal-rich mushes to form economically significant ore deposits, but the mechanisms controlling their migration remain poorly understood. I use two-phase flow simulations to model the motion of sulfide droplets through partially molten systems. These simulations examine how factors such as sulfide fraction, crystal framework, and mush compaction influence the focusing and transport of sulfide liquids. By linking micro-scale fluid dynamics to ore-forming processes, this research provides a mechanistic understanding of how platinum-group element–rich sulfides are concentrated in layered intrusions and komatiitic conduits.