Earth
and Space Sciences Faculty |
|
J.
Michael Brown |
Areas of Interest:
Experimental and theoretical mineral physics
Research Groups:
Astrobiology
Mineral
Physics
Education:
Ph.D., Geophysics, University
of Minnesota, 1980
Current Research:
Brown
High Pressure Mineral Physics Research Group Website
The overwhelming majority
of Earth's interior is not accessible to direct sampling or observation. Most
of our understanding is based on remote sensing techniques (e.g., seismology).
To interpret such observations, it is essential to have complimentary laboratory
measurements. In our High-Pressure
Mineral Physics Laboratory, we have an interdisciplinary program involving
a variety of experimental and theoretical approaches. We seek an understanding
of Earth based on an atomic-level understanding of constituent minerals. The
underlying goal is an understanding of the thermal and compositional state of
the Earth's interior and its contribution to observed dynamical behavior. Current
high pressure/high temperature work includes:
(1) measurement of elastic constants and thermal diffusivities of mineral under mantle conditions,
(2) studies of equations of state and viscosities of fluids, and
(3) measurements of elastic constants of metals under conditions approaching Earth's core. These data provide a comprehensive framework for the understanding of how Earth and other planets work.
Publications:
List
of Publications
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Earth and Space Sciences (Geology, Geophysics, Geological Sciences) University of Washington Johnson Hall 070 • Box 351310 4000 15th Avenue NE • Seattle, WA 98195-1310 Phone 206-543-1190 • Fax 206-543-0489 • Site Info: webmaster@ess.washington.edu • ESS Advising: advising@ess.washington.edu |