Educational Background
| Ph.D. Oceanography M.S. Ocean Engineering M.S. Geophysics B.S. Applied Physics B.S. Chemistry |
University of Rhode Island University of New Hampshire, Durham University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Wisconsin, River Falls University of Wisconsin, River Falls |
2014 2012 2010 2005 2005 |
Areas of Specialization
Research
My research at the University of Hawaii focused on a gravity survey of the islands of Kauai and Niihau (Hawaiian Island Chain) that I conducted between May – September of 2008. I also partook in a one-month research cruise in September of 2007 to study the variation in the gravitational field around the two islands. I integrated these new surveys with a past land survey of Niihau, and four additional marine cruises.
My research revealed two positive residual gravity anomalies, one over Kauai’s Lihue Basin, the other offshore between Kauai and Niihau. These highs indicate a local zone of high-density crust that I attribute to olivine cumulates in a solidified magma reservoir. Offsets between both islands residual gravity highs and their previous presumed geologic centers—indicate that the islands were much larger and more asymmetric than previously thought. Furthermore, I performed geophysical inversions on the residual gravity data to estimate the volumes of the magma chambers beneath each island. I combined my gravity work with previous geochemistry and geological mapping done on the islands in order to explain the islands early evolutionary history.
Publications:
2010
Flinders, A. F., G. Ito, and M. O. Garcia (2010), Gravity anomalies of the NorthernHawaiian Islands: Implications on the shield evolutions of Kauai and Niihau, J. Geophys.
Res., 115, B08412, doi:10.1029/2009JB006877. (view/download pdf)
2008
Garcia, M, G. Ito, D. Weis, D. Geist, L. Swinnard, T. Bianco, A Flinders, B. Taylor, B.Appelgate, C. Blay, D. Hanano, I. Nobre Silva, T. Naumann, C. Maerschalk, K. Harpp, B.
Christensen, L. Sciaroni, T. Tagami, and S. Yamasaki (2008), Widespread secondary
volcanism near Northern Hawaiian Islands, Eos, 89 (52), 542-543. (view/download pdf)
Cruise Experience
FALL 2007 (09/08/07-10/08/07) R/V Kilo MoanaSwath bathymetry, gravity and magnetic mapping of the Northern Hawaii Islands;
submarine-rock sampling of the South Kauai Swell using the Jason2 ROV.
FALL 2008 (10/17/08-10/29/08) R/V Thomas G. Thompson
Installation of pressure sensors and hydrophone arrays at the ALOHA Cable
Observatory and submarine-rock sampling of Kaena Ridge using the Jason2 ROV.
WINTER 2009 (01/31/09-02/04/09) R/V Kilo Moana
Swath bathymetry, gravity and magnetic mapping of Mahukona volcano (Hawaii).
Chief Scientist: Ashton F. Flinders
SUMMER 2009 (07/17/09-07/21/09) R/V Ka'imikai-O-Kanaloa
Gravity coring around the Hawaiian Islands—in support of the Department of Business,
Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) power-line cable route.
Field Experience
SUMMER 2008 (05/12/08-09/22/08) Kaua'i (Hawaii) Gravity SurveyGravity survey of Kauai using a LaCoste and Romberg G gravimeter—including 315
new measurements, 100+ miles of jungle hiking and 300+ miles of off-road driving.
FALL 2009 (09/22/09-12/07/09) Southern Bolivia GPS Survey
Reoccupation and extension of an existing GPS network throughout southern Bolivia.
Including training of two members of Bolivia’s Instituto Geografico Militar in GPS
monumenting techniques (taught in Spanish).
Teaching Experience
FALL 2003 Organic Chemistry IFALL 2004 Organic Chemistry II
SPRING 2004 General Chemistry I
SPRING 2005 General Chemistry II
SPRING 2009 Introduction to Geology
SPRING 2009 Physics of the Earth and Planets
Awards
SPRING 2008 Society of Exploration Geophysicists Student ScholarshipFALL 2008 Harold T. Stearns Fellowship
SPRING 2009 University of Hawaii Research Council Research Achievement Award
