People

Students and Post-doctoral Researchers

Current

• Alumni

Jana Schierjott (Post-doctoral scholar) obtained her Ph.D. from the Institute for Geophysics, ETH Zurich in 2020.  Jana developed high-performance computational models to study how the mechanical interaction of magmatism and faulting controls the style and morphology of mid-ocean ridge segment offsets. See, Schierjott, J., G. Ito, M. D. Behn, X. Tian, T. Morrow, B. J. P. Kaus, J. Escartín (2023) How transform faults shear influences where detachment faults form near mid-ocean ridges, Nature Sci. Rep., https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35714-3

Lautisha McKinney (M.S.) obtained her B.S.in Geology from UH Hilo in 2018.  She conducted rock mechanics experiments to measure the shear strengths of rocks on Oahu for assessing risk of landslides.

Daniel Douglas (M.S. 2022) Daniel earned his B.S. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Toronto in 2019.  Daniel research at UH involved 3D high-performance computer simulations of the buckling lithosphere beneath the Hawaiian islands.  He found that seismic observations and petrologic models are best explained by magma that locally heats and weakens the lithosphere beneath the islands.  See Douglas, D., Ito, G., Boston, B., Dunn, R., Naliboff, J., Wessel, P., Watts, A.B., Shillington, D., Cilli, P. (2025), Magma‐assisted flexure of Hawaiian lithosphere inferred from three‐dimensional models of lithospheric flexure constrained by active source seismic data. J. Geophys. Res., 130, e2024JB030376, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB030376

McKenzie Lach (M.S. 2020) earned her B.S. in Physics from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2018.  Kenzie’s M.S. project used the new GMM-3 Mars Global gravity model to examine the crustal and lithospheric structure of Martian volcanoes. 

Alexandra Pleus (M.S. 2018) Alexandra used new shipboard gravity and bathymetry data to explore the rheology and thermal structure of the flexing oceanic lithosphere in response to loading of the volcanoes along Hawaiian Ridge.  See Pleus, A., G. Ito, P. Wessel, L. N. Frazer (2020). Rheology and thermal structure of the lithosphere beneath the Hawaiian Ridge inferred from gravity data and models of plate flexure, Geophy. J. Int, ggaa155, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaa155. (GJI link to PDF)

Elise Leroux (MGeo 2018) Elise’s MGeo projected involved collecting and analyzing data and making a risk map of slow moving landslides around Honolulu.  (link to MGeo report)

Sam Howell (Ph.D. 2016) Sam used topographic data to examine the interrelationships between faulting, magmatism, and morphology of the Chile Ridge.  He also carried out a 3D modeling study of the effects of varying magma supply on the pattern of faulting and the creation of detachment faults at mid-ocean ridges. For a third project, Sam was among the first to characterize the vertical motion in GPS data associated with earthquakes along San Andreas Fault.  (link to dissertation)

Olive, J.-A., M. D. Behn, G. Ito, W. R. Buck, J. Escartin, S. Howell (2015), Sensitivity of seafloor bathymetry to climate-driven fluctuations in mid-ocean ridge magma supply, Science, doi:10.1126/science.aad0715 (Link to reprint).

Howell, S., B. Smith-Konter, N. Frazier, X. Tong, D. Sandwell (2016), The vertical fingerprint of earthquake cycle loading in Southern California, Nature Geoscience, doi:10.1038/ngeo2741.

B. Boston and S. Howell, G. Moore, University of Hawaii Geophysical Society (2014), A miniature research vessel: A small-scale ocean-exploration demonstration of geophysical methods, The Leading Edge, SEG, doi:10.1190/tle33121408.1

Howell, S. M., G. Ito, A. J. Breivik, A. Rai, R. Mjelde, B. Hanan, K. Sayit, and P. Vogt (2014), The origin of the asymmetry in the Iceland hotspot along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from continental breakup to present-day, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 392, 143-153 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.02.020).

Sam Howell (M.S. 2013) Howell, S. M., G. Ito, A. J. Breivik, A. Rai, R. Mjelde, B. Hanan, K. Sayit, and P. Vogt (2014), The origin of the asymmetry in the Iceland hotspot along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from continental breakup to present-day, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 392, 143-153 (PDF)

David Waller (MGeo, 2015) David analyzed groundwater chemistry indicators to search for evidence for geothermal energy resources across Hawaii.  See Waller, D. (2015), Identification of geothermal resources in Hawaii utilizing aqueous geochemistry, MGeo, Project Report (PDF)

Maxim Ballmer (Post-doc, 2010-2013) Dr. Ballmer used high performance computing to simulate thermochemical convection associated with hotspots such as Hawaii as well as for examining the large-scale chemical evolution of the lower mantle.

Ballmer, M. D., L. Schumacher, V. Lekic, C. Thomas, G. Ito (2016), Compositional layering within the large low shear-wave velocity provinces in the lower mantle, Geochem. Geophys. Geosys., doi: 10.1002/2016GC006605 (URL).

Ballmer, M. D., G. Ito, C. Cheng (2015), Asymmetric dynamical behavior of thermochemical plumes and implications for Hawaiian lava composition, in Hawaiian volcanoes:  From Source to Surface, eds. R. Carey, V. Cayol, M. Poland, D. Weis, Chapter 3, Geophys. Monogr 208, Amer. Geophys. Union, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Washington D.C., 10.1002/9781118872079.ch3, (PDF of preprint, URL).

Ballmer, M. D., P. E. van Keken, G. Ito (2015), Hotspots, Large Igneous Provinces, and Melting Anomalies, in: Treatise of Geophysics, 2nd edition, (editor G. Schubert), volume 7 "Mantle Dynamics", (editor D. Bercovici), 393-459, Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Ballmer, M. D., G. Ito, C. J. Wolfe, S. C. Solomon (2013), Double layering of a thermochemical plume in the upper mantle beneath Hawaii, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 376, 155-164 (URL).

Ballmer, M., G. Ito, J. van Hunen, P. J. Tackley (2011) Spatial and temporal variability in Hawaiian hotspot volcansim induced by small-scale convection, Nature Geosc., doi:10.1038/NGEO1187 (PDF)

Alejandro Gallego (Post-doc, 2010-2013)

Gallego, A., G. Ito, R. A. Dunn (2013) Investigating seismic anisotropy beneath the Reykjanes Ridge using models of mantle flow, crystallographic evolution, and surface wave propagation, Geochem. Geophys. Geosys., doi:10.10002/ggge.20204. (URL) (Supplement)

Ashton Flinders (M.S. 2009)

Flinders, A., G. Ito, M. O. Garcia (2010), Gravity anomalies of the Northern Hawaiian Islands:  Implications on the shield evolutions of Kauai and Niihau, J. Geophys. Res. 115, B08412, doi:10.1029/2009JB006877. (PDF)

Flinders, A. F., G. Ito, M. O. Garcia, J. M. Sinton, J. Kauahikaua, B. Taylor (2013), Intrusive dike complexes, cumulate cores, and the extrusive growth of Hawaiian volcanoes, 40 (13), 3367-3373, doi:10.1002/grl.50633. (URL)

Todd Bianco (Ph.D. 2008)

Bianco, T. A., G. Ito, J. van Hunen, J. J. Mahoney, M. D. Ballmer (2013) Geochemical variations at ridge-centered hotspots caused by variable melting of a veined mantle plume, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 371-372, 171-201 (URL)

Bianco, T. A., G. Ito, J. van  Hunen, M. D. Ballmer, J. J. Mahoney (2011) Geochemical variations at intraplate hot spots caused by viable melting of a veined mantle plume, Geochem. Geophys. Geosys., 12, 7, Q0AC13, doi:10.1029/20111GC003658 (PDF)

Bianco, T. A., G. Ito, J. van Hunen, M. D. Ballmer (2008), J. J. Mahoney, Geochemical variation at the Hawaiian hotspot caused by upper mantle dynamics and melting of a heterogeneous plume, Geochem. Geophys. Geosys,.9, Q11003, doi:10.1029/2008GC002111. (PDF)

Eric Mittelstaedt (Ph.D. 2008)

Mittelstaedt, E. G. Ito, and J. van Hunen (2011) Repeat ridge jumps associated with plume-ridge interaction, melt transport and ridge migration, J. Geophys. Res.116, B01102, doi:10.1029/2010JB007604 (PDF)

Mittelstaedt, E., G. Ito, and M. Behn (2008), Mid-ocean ridge jumps associated with hotspot magmatism, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 266, 256-270. (PDF)

Mittelstaedt, E. and G. Ito (2005), Plume-ridge interaction, lithospheric stresses, and the origin of near-ridge volcanic lineaments, Geochem. Geophys. Geosys., 6, Q06002, doi:10.1029/2004GC000860. (PDF)

Stephanie Ingle (SOEST Young Investigator 2005-2007)

Ingle, S., G. Ito, J. J. Mahoney, W. Chazey III, J. Sinton, M. Rotella, D. M. Christie (2010) Mechanisms of geochemical and geophysical variations along the western Galapagos Spreading Center, Geochem. Geophys. Geosys. Q04003, doi:10.1029/2009GC002694. (PDF)

Tanya Blacic (Ph.D. 2005)

Blacic, T. , G. Ito, A. K. Shah, J. P. Canales (2008), J. Lin, Axial high topography and partial melt in the crust and mantle beneath the Western Galapagos Spreading Center, Geochem. Geophys. Geosys,.9, Q12005, doi:10.1029/2008GC002100. (PDF)

Blacic, T.M., G. Ito, J.P. Canales, R. Detrick, and J. Sinton (2004), Constructing the crust of the Galapagos Spreading Center 91.3° - 95.5° W:  Correlation of seismic layer 2A with axial magma lens and topographic characteristics, J. Geophys. Res.,109 (B10310), doi:10.1029/2004JB003066. (PDF)