The ESPM group uses experimental approaches to study the mechanical and chemical behavior of rocks and minerals.
The group is comprised of two labs: the rock deformation lab (Prof. Phil Skemer – PI) and the experimental geochemistry lab (Prof. Mike Krawczynski – PI). Our labs use high pressure and high temperature experimental apparatus to simulate the conditions within Earth and other solar system bodies. Our experimental approach is complemented by state of the art analytical facilities, including electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
Squeezing rocks for science
Research positions available
The Rock Deformation and Experimental Geochemistry Labs of ESPM are accepting applications for new PhD students.
If you are an undergraduate with an interest in Earth and Planetary Science, please see Phil Skemer or Mike Krawczynski for more information.
Lastest Publications
- Billings K., Skemer P. (2024) Evolving microstructure during experimental deformation of Maryland diabase. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2023.118564
- Prissel K., Olive J.-A., Krawczynski M. J. (2023) A log-ratio-based algorithm for petrologic mass-balance problems and uncertainty assessment. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, https://doi. org/10.1029/2023GC011234
- Sly M.K., Padilla K., Flores K.M., Skemer P. (2023) Low-temperature plastic rheology of granitic feldspar and quartz. Tectonophysics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2023.229850