Emily First

My research broadly focuses on volcanoes and magmas on Earth and other planetary bodies. As an experimental petrologist, I use high temperature and/or pressure laboratory experiments to learn about melting, crystallization, diffusion, and other processes relevant to the behavior of volcanic systems. In some cases, I design experiments to constrain the temperature and depth of magma stored beneath a volcano. In other instances, experiments can place constraints on how fast a lava flow cooled. I also examine more fundamental topics, including the kinetics of crystal growth and the effects of thermodynamic variables like temperature and redox state on magma crystallization. My research areas (via lab work and occasionally in the field) have included Hawaii, Chile, Mars, the Moon, and exoplanets! I am excited to be teaching courses that can benefit from my research, including Mineralogy (GEOL 250), Petrology (GEOL 302), Volcanoes (GEOL 106), and Dynamic Earth (GEOL 160).