David Cavell
Program: M.S. in Geology
Office: Physical Science 207B (Halite Pod)
I am a M.S. Geology student working with Dr. Shannon Kobs Nawotniak studying volcanism in southern Idaho, USA.
My thesis project is specifically looking at the geochemistry and petrology of a specific volcano in the eastern Snake River Plain, the volcano is Sixmile Butte. This study came from observations made by Dr. Kobs Nawotniak, Dr. Murray, and Dr. McCurry of inconsistent concentrations of olivine and plagioclase minerals in Sixmile Butte's flows. My project is performing target research into Sixmile through mapping of surface flows, field and lab determined mineral concentrations and physical characteristics, whole rock and trace element geochemistry, and magma chamber modeling.
I earned my B.S. Geology from the University of Idaho where I worked under Dr. Erika Rader learning volcanological processes. I had the opportunity to work on a project looking at the physical characteristics of the 2018 Kilauea eruption, Hawaii compared to ancient volcanoes in the continental United States.