Volcano Research Laboratories

CalVO hosts several laboratories for multidisciplinary research of geologic phenomena.

A rectangular beige building with a large, glass-fronted lobby is viewed at an angle. The building is surrounded by mulched landscaping and in the left background is a huge dirigible hangar under construction. — Building 800 at the USGS Moffett Field campus houses shared laboratory space for multiple science centers. USGS photo by Jessica Ball.

These facilities are organized under the California Volcano Observatory, but provide support for all 5 USGS volcano observatories, including the Alaska, Cascades, Hawaii and Yellowstone Volcano Observatories. The physical labs are located at the USGS campus on Moffett Field, California.

Click the links to the left to see detailed descriptions of the labs and contact information for lab managers.

Our laboratories and their capabilities include:

Argon Geochronology - radiometric dating of rocks bearing argon decay products
Gas Geochemistry - chemical analysis of gas and liquid phases of volcanic and geothermal fluids
Magma Dynamics - experimental recreation of magmatic conditions within the Earth's crust and mantle
Microbeam Analysis - high resolution imaging and geochemical analysis of Earth materials
Paleomagnetics - analysis of the magnetic record contained in Earth materials
Spectroscopy - infrared spectrographic analysis of the fluid and gas content of natural and artificial materials
Rock Preparation and Microscopy - facilities for preparing rocks and samples of Earth materials for analysis, including cutting, polishing, microscope observation, and sample packaging

In addition to on-campus labs, we also have a cooperative agreement with the Stanford University School of Earth Sciences, to operate a large-format Sensitive High-Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP) that provides a unique capability for the Western Region and the Bureau (https://shrimprg.stanford.edu/). Ion microprobe analysis (secondary ion mass spectrometry, SIMS) is used for precise determination of isotope ratios and trace element concentrations in solid materials with high spatial resolution. The SHRIMP RG (Reverse Geometry) typically extracts atoms for analysis in its doubly focusing mass spectrometer from a volume 30 micrometers in diameter and a few micrometers deep. USGS scientists from all regions use the SHRIMP RG, most in geology, some in hydrology, and a few in biology. Recent research topics include U–Pb and U–Th (U series) geochronology; trace element concentrations in minerals, volcanic glass, and biogenic carbonates; and Sr isotope ratios in biogenic and hydrothermal calcium carbonate. Visit the SHIRMP website for detailed information about the facilities and research, and contact Jorge Vazquez (jvazquez@usgs.gov) for USGS user information.