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Argon Geochronology Laboratory
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Utilizes a dedicated, high sensitivity, noble gas mass spectrometer (VG1200S) which is connected to both resistance heater and continuous laser fusion systems.
Dr. Chris Hall, Lab Manager Marcus Johnson |
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Biogeochemistry & Environmental Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory
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This facility is dedicated to the application of isotopic and trace element analysis to environmental and paleo-environmental research problems. Metal-free, positive pressured, HEPA-filtered clean rooms are available for sample preparation and chemical separation. Sample digestion is completed by high-pressure microwave, automated flux digestion, and custom-designed thermal decomposition. Analytical equipment includes a Perkin-Elmer ICP-OES, a Dionex IC, a Nippon-Instruments furnace and liquid AA Hg analyzer, a recently upgraded Finnigan MAT 262 TIMS, and a Nu-Instruments multi-collector ICP-MS with Apex and Aridus desolvation systems as well as custom-designed cold-vapor generation system.
Prof. Joel Blum, Lab Manager Marcus Johnson |
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Computational Facility for Geodynamic Research
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This facility provides for the computational needs of a model intensive research group focused on dynamics of mantle and crustal phenomena. Computational needs are met with a Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 computer, six Sun Microsystems workstations, and two Silicon Graphics visualization workstations.
Prof. Peter van Keken |
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Continental Environments Lab
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This facility is dedicated to the analysis of soil, plant, and animal samples to solveboth environmental and paleoenvironmental problems. Facilities include a Delta V+ EA-IRMS for organic oxygen, deuterium, carbon, and nitrogen isotopic analyses housed in the Stable Isotope Lab for looking at biogeochemical interactions, a GasBenchII for water analyses, a TC/EA for oxygen and deuterium analyses of organic matter, a sample preparation lab with analytical and microbalances and multiple fume hoods, and a Genlab 125L drying oven. Future additions will include a glove box for controlled atmosphere weathering experiments and incubators for plant growth experiments. The lab is the primary home of the Continental Environments Research Group.
Prof. Nathan Sheldon |
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Earth Surface Processes Research Group
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The Surface Processes Laboratory houses a variety of tools for the groups research including: a high performance linux cluster for numerical modeling of thermal, mechanical, atmospheric, and surface processes; low-temperature (U-Th)/He thermochronometry and cosmogenic isotope sample preparation facilities; GIS, remote sensing, and 3D visualization software; equipment for field work; and an espresso machine.
Prof. Todd Ehlers |
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Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory
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The R.B. Mitchell Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory (EMAL) is one of two EMAL labs at the University. It contains a Philips CM12 transmission electron microscope, Hitachi scanning electron microscope fitted with an energy-dispersive analysis system, two Cameca electron microprobes (SX-100, MBX), Scintag X-ray powder diffractometer, Enraf-Nonius single-crystal X-ray diffractometer, Debye-Scherrer, Gandolfi, Laue and other X-ray cameras.
Prof. Eric Essene, Lab Manager Carl Henderson |
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Experimental and Aqueous Geochemistry Laboratory
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EAGL is dedicated to the analysis of solid and aqueous elemental contents of natural and experimental waters and minerals. Instrumentation includes: ICP-OES, gas and ion chromatographs, pH stat experimental systems, and wet chemical analysis systems for measurement of trace and minor element concentrations.
Prof. Lynn Walter, Lab Manager Corey Lambert |
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Experimental Petrology Laboratory
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The experimental facilities in the experimental petrology lab cover low, intermediate and high pressure conditions, from the Earth's surface to about 600 km deep, including hydrothermal conditions. The facilities include: some one-atmosphere tube furnaces and box furnaces (one to 1600°C), four Deltech furnaces (one used for density and sound speed measurements, and one with ultra-high temperature (2200°C) capability), one rapid-quench internally-heated pressure vessel, two rapid-quench cold-seal TZM pressure vessels, three piston cylinder apparatus, a multi-anvil apparatus, a Perkin-Elmer DSC-7 (scanning calorimeter) and TMA-7 (dilatometer and viscometer), a Perkin-Elmer spectrophotometer (for colorimetric analyses of FeO), one microbalance, and a sample preparation lab.
Profs. Rebecca Lange and Youxue Zhang |
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Geochronology and Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory
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This facility comprises an ultraclean chemistry complex for the separation and purification of materials required for radiogenic isotope and geochronological research. Included are (1) a room with fume hood stations for mineral separations using heavy liquids, and for zircon mechanical air abrasion; (2) a room with petrographic and binocular microscopes, magnetic separators, hand-picking stations, and sample dissolution ovens; and (3) ultraclean section subdivided into the balance and microbalance room, main chemistry rooms for Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, Lu-Hf, Re-Os and U-Pb analyses, and acid rooms for beaker cleaning and reagent distillation. The complex is fed by clean, professionally-balanced air passed through HEPA filters to remove particulate matter and through charcoal traps to remove aerosol-carried ambient Pb. Radiogenic isotope measurements are made on two thermal ionization multicollector V.G. Sector mass spectrometers and a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer.
Prof. Samuel Mukasa, Lab Manager Dr. Alex Andronikov |
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Geomicrobiology Laboratory
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This lab supports microbiological, molecular, and biochemical approaches directed towards research in geomicrobiology and microbial biogeochemistry. The lab is fully equipped for characterization of microbial community structure and function by extraction, amplification, and analysis of DNA from environmental samples, including computational capabilities for genomic analysis. Instrumentation for sterile technique and cultivation allows for the isolation and growth of microorganisms and for the production of biogenic minerals. An epifluorescence microscope is available for analysis and enumeration of microbes in natural samples, including imaging of microbe-mineral assemblages.
Prof. Gregory Dick |
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Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory
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This teaching and research facility comprises of all the necessary tools for characterizing viscous fluids and for conducting tank experiments at conditions relevant to the Earth's mantle.
Prof. Carolina Lithgow-Bertollini |
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Geothermal Laboratory
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This laboratory has facilities for the measurement and analysis of thermal properties of minerals, rocks and the natural geothermal heat flow. Global Heat Flow Map
Prof. Henry Pollack, Dr. Shaopeng Huang |
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Geowall Project
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A combination of new projection technology, fast graphics cards and linux PCs have made it possible to provide a stereo projection system that is much more affordable than previous commercial solutions. The GEOWALL project makes use of these projection systems to visualize structure and dynamics of the Earth in stereo to aid the understanding of spatial relationships.
Prof. Peter van Keken |
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Keck Elemental Geochemistry Laboratory
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The capabilities of this facility are centered around two Finnigan Element high resolution ICP-mass spectrometers that provide for the quantitative analysis of most elements, at exceedingly low concentrations (parts per trillion to parts per billion), in both natural and synthetic materials. Associated facilities include a UV laser ablation microsampler, an ultra-clean laboratory for sample preparation, and a variety of sample introduction systems that allow determination of elemental chemistries from both solid and liquid materials in complex matrices.
Prof. Kyger C. Lohmann, Lab Manager Dr. Ted Huston |
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Mineral Chemistry & Computational Mineralogy
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The mineral surface and computational mineralogy lab is equipped with an atomic-force microscope that allows observation of crystal growth, dissolution, and adsorption phenomena at close-to atomic resolution as a function of different environmental parameters. It includes an electrochemical cell that allows study of redox, adsorption, and precipitation processes as a function of the electrochemical potential and magnetic tips that image magnetic domains on surfaces. It also includes a computer cluster used to perform quantum mechanical calculations that provide information on atomic-scale processes in minerals and on their surfaces and elucidate the role of the electronic structure in redox and related processes.
Prof. Udo Becker |
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Morphometrics Laboratory
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This teaching and research facility includes a video-based image analysis system for acquisition and analysis of 2D morphometric data (coordinate values, distances, outlines, counts, shape indices, luminance profiles, etc.) at a full range of scales, and two devices for acquisition of 3D data, a Reflex microscope for work in the sub-decimeter range, and a mechanical-arm digitizer for work on larger specimens.
Profs. Tomasz Baumiller and Daniel Fisher |
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Noble Gas Laboratory
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This teaching and research facility includes a noble gas extraction and purification line as well as a multi-purpose noble gas mass spectrometer Map 215-50 for measurement of He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe abundances and respective isotope ratios. The individual measurements are performed in semi-automated mode.
Prof. Clara Castro, Lab Manager Dr. Chris Hall |
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Oceanography and Marine Geology Laboratory
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This laboratory complex includes a multi-use sample preparation and analysis facility. Instrumentation includes: GS/MS systems for analysis of the organic fraction of sediments and rocks, a Carlo-Erba CHNS-O analyzer and a Coulter Multisizer for precise grain size analysis.
Prof. Ingrid Hendy |
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Ore Deposits Laboratory
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This teaching and research laboratory is dedicated to the identification and geochemical characterization of ore materials. It includes reflected, transmitted and UV optical microscopes, heating and freezing stages for fluid inclusion study, and a quadrupole mass spectrometer for analysis of fluid inclusion gases.
Prof. Steve Kesler |
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Paleobiomechanics Lab
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This facility houses experimental equipment for fluid (1) and solid (2) biomechanics. It includes 1a) a re-circulating plexiglass flow tank (2 x 0.15 x 0.15 m cross-section) capable of generating currents of up to 1 m/s, 1b) a high viscosity recirculating “glop-tank” (low-Re), 1c) dye-injectors and micromanipulators for flow visualization, and 1d) computerized strain-gages for measuring forces in flow (drag and lift), 2a) a computerized Instron tensometer (10N and 100N load cells) for tensional and compressional tests, and 2b) strain gages for point- and three-point bending.
Prof. Tomaz Baumiller |
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Paleoclimate Modeling Laboratory
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This experimental facility is dedicated to modeling global and regional climate changes. Experimental facilities include two 32-node high performance Linux clusters with terabyte mass storage. The Linux clusters are housed in a dedicated server room. A number of dual-boot workstations and peripheral devices are available in the Paleoclimate Modeling Laboratory.
Prof. Chris Poulsen, Paleoclimate Modeling Group |
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Paleomagnetics Laboratory
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This facility is fully equipped for measurement and demagnetization of natural remanent magnetizations with a three-axis 2G cryogenic magnetometer, Schonstedt spinner, ASC model TD-48 thermal demagnetizer and a Sapphire (SI-4) alternating field demagnetizer, with anhysteretic remanence imparting capabilities. These instruments are housed in a shielded room with a residual-field no greater than 200 nT. A KLY-2 Kappabridge, and an electromagnet capable of reaching 1.3 T are also available.
Prof. Rob Van der Voo, Paleomag Group photo |
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Raman Spectroscopy and Diamond Cell Laboratory
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In addition to a Raman spectroscopy system for the analysis of the structure and bonding of minerals, fluids and inclusions, this laboratory also provides for in situ observation at high pressures and temperatures in the diamond cell.
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Surface, Crust & Lithosphere Explorations Laboratory
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The Surface, Crust & Lithosphere Explorations Laboratory (SCALE Lab) is a facility designed for research in the fields of tectonics, neotectonics, geomorphology, and geodynamics. Linux, PC and Mac workstations with GIS, remote sensing, and visualization software are connected to a data server with 7 TB of storage for manipulating and analyzing large spatial data sets. A large format scanner and plotter are available for digitization, printing, and reproduction of oversized maps and plates. A sample preparation room contains a Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope with digital camera and microscopy software for the preparation of mineral separates for thermochronology. Wet lab space and fume boxes are also available in this space. A separate equipment room provides a place for the storage of field equipment (rugged tablet PCs, laser rangefinder and electronic compass, GPS, hand tools), and a staging area for domestic and international field work.
Profs. Marin Clark and Nathan Niemi
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Seismological Laboratory
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In addition to state of the art computational facilities for interpretation of fault rupture dynamics, this facility supports a globally networked seismological station in addition to a network of portable seismographs that are deployed throughout the K-12 educational system.
Prof. Larry Ruff |
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Stable Isotope Laboratory
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This teaching and research facility comprises three gas source, ratio mass spectrometers and complete systems for the preparation and analysis of d18O, d13 C and dD of all mineral, fluid and gas phases. A unique aspect of the laboratory is the ability to sample materials on a scale of 10-20 micron increments in single crystals and accretionary structures utilizing a computerized XYZ microsampling system and to analyze samples as small as 10 micrograms. In addition, the facility has supporting instrumentation for petrographic analysis, cathodoluminescence, data analysis, and computer visualization.
Prof. Kyger C. Lohmann, Lab Manager Lora Wingate |
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Structure Laboratories
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This unit houses several research optical microscopes, including a Leitz Ortholux with photographic attachment, a dedicated Zeiss U-stage microscope with computer, and facilities for real-time, microscope-based deformation experiments of analogs. In addition to a group of networked computers with peripherals, the laboratory houses a TabletPC-based field computing facility (GeoPad). A modern sample preparation laboratory is located nearby. A texture goniometer, using an Enraf-Nonius single-crystal device, is located in the X-ray Lab, while magnetic fabric equipment is housed in the neighboring Paleomagnetics laboratory.
Prof. Ben van der Pluijm |
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X-Ray Diffraction and Crystallography Laboratory
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Now a part of the EMAL Lab, this departmental facility consists of: two automated powder diffractometers (a Scintag theta-theta and a Philips theta-2theta device), Debye-Scherrer and Gandolfi cameras, single-crystal diffraction Weissenberg, precession and Laue cameras; and an automated four-circle CAD4 single-crystal diffractometer.
Prof. Eric Essene, Dr. Roland Rouse |
