Kaustubh Patwardhan

VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Department of Geology

Bucknell University

Office: O’Leary 226

Phone: 570-577-2610

Email: kp014 at Bucknell.edu

 

 

Education:

Ph.D. Earth & Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

M.Sc. Geology, Pune University, Pune, India

B.Sc. Geology, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai University, Mumbai, India

 

Download resume.

 

Teaching:

Spring 2012: I will be teaching Geology 104: Evolution of the Earth and Geology 103: Dynamic Earth I have greatly enjoyed teaching these courses in previous semesters and I am looking forward to the field labs this semester!

For the Geology 104 Fall 2011 schedule, click here.

 

Research & Publications:

Patwardhan, K. and Marsh, B. D., (2011), Dynamics of the development of the Isle au Haut gabbro-diorite layered complex: Quantitative implications for mafic-silicic magma interactions. Journal of Petrology, Volume 52(12), doi:10.1093/petrology/egr049. Click here for the abstract.

Patwardhan, K. and Marsh, B. D., (2010), Understanding the dynamics of mafic-silicic magma interactions in the Isle au Haut Igneous Complex, Maine. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 5, Paper No. 277-3. Click here for the abstract.

My research in igneous petrology focuses on the physical and chemical aspects of magma evolution and integrates fieldwork, laboratory analytical techniques, and modeling. Systematic field mapping, sampling, and observations form the foundation and are followed by chemical, petrographic, and crystal size distributions analyses. Field and analytical data are then used to model phase equilibria and relevant, critical processes such as solidification, compaction, and melt segregation.

This summer I began a new project on the interaction of mafic-silicic magmas in the Pleasant Bay Intrusion, Maine. This project is focused on testing the results obtained from my graduate research work on the nearby Isle au Haut Igneous Complex, Maine. Jon Algeo ’13, joined me for the field work on Pleasant Bay where we conducted detailed mapping of the fascinating field relationships (see pictures below) between these rocks and collected rock samples for chemical and petrographic analysis. Evidence of interaction between magmas of contrasting composition is often observed in volcanic eruptions along subduction zones (e.g. Mt. Fuji) but, information about the spatial context and timescales of these interactions are lost in the destructive nature of the eruption itself. The Pleasant Bay and Isle au Haut plutons formed underneath such volcanoes ~ 420 million years ago during the Acadian orogeny and have preserved the detailed nature of mafic-silicic magma interaction making them invaluable in the study of subduction zone magmatism.

 

Vertical section of silicic pipes emanating from a thin layer and intruding overlying gabbro.

 

Chilled gabbro blobs separated by a matrix of silicic melt.

 

3D exposure of evenly spaced silicic pipes intruding gabbro.

Silicic pipes in horizontal cross-section.

 

 

Photography, Music, and other distractions!

Outside the classroom and lab you may find me engaged in taking pictures, looking for fossils, playing banjo or guitar with friends, hiking, biking, or bird watching.

You can check out my pictures from our Spring Break trips to Arizona, New Mexico, California, or my visit to Antarctica as field assistant during grad school here: Picasa Web Albums

If you enjoy Irish music, you may find me playing music at the open session at Puirseil’s Irish Pub in Lewisburg on Friday evenings! Here is a video of the house band Lux Bridge