Abstract

Geochemical and geophysical processes controlled by the presence of water have a large impact both on Earth and within the icy moons of the outer Solar System. Here, three projects relating to hydrous systems are presented. In the first, the partitioning of F and Cl between amphibole and melt at conditions relevant to hydrous arc magmas was investigated using experimental runs, where it is determined that F is moderately compatible in amphibole at crustal conditions. This result indicates that the Cl/F ratio of erupted lavas may be controlled by amphibole cumulates at depth. In the second project, the strength of icy moon seafloors was modeled, where it was determined that common sources of stress cannot drive fault motion in the present day, indicating that little unaltered rock may be exposed to the seafloor. In the final project, the effect of ammonia on H2 production during serpentinization was determined through paired high and low temperature experiments. It is found that the presence of ammonia lowers the rate of serpentine formation at high temperatures and lowers H2 production at low temperatures.

Committee Chair

Paul Byrne

Committee Members

Jeffrey Catalano; Michael Krawczynski; Tansu Daylan; William McKinnon

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Earth & Planetary Sciences

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

8-11-2026

Language

English (en)

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Available for download on Wednesday, February 10, 2027

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