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    Dufek Multiphase Flow Group

    Eruptive, Planetary
    & Environmental Processes









    Sensors for Extreme Environments (SEE) Lab & Computational Volcanology (CompVolc)

  • slider image 3

    Dufek Multiphase Flow Group

    Eruptive, Planetary
    & Environmental Processes









    Sensors for Extreme Environments (SEE) Lab & Computational Volcanology (CompVolc)

  • slider image 4

    Dufek Multiphase Flow Group

    Eruptive, Planetary
    & Environmental Processes









    Sensors for Extreme Environments (SEE) Lab & Computational Volcanology (CompVolc)

  • slider image 5

    Dufek Multiphase Flow Group

    Eruptive, Planetary
    & Environmental Processes









    Sensors for Extreme Environments (SEE) Lab & Computational Volcanology (CompVolc)

  • slider image 5

    Dufek Multiphase Flow Group

    Eruptive, Planetary
    & Environmental Processes









    Sensors for Extreme Environments (SEE) Lab & Computational Volcanology (CompVolc)

RESEARCH


My research is primarily focused on the application of fluid dynamics to understand mass and energy transfer in geological processes, with particular emphasis on volcanic systems. Most processes in nature involve multiple phases: for instance ash particles interacting with a turbulent gas carrier phase in an explosive volcanic eruption or bubbles exsolving and interacting with magma in a conduit. One of my research's goals is to delineate how multiphase interactions contribute to the structure and composition of igneous systems, and the role of such interactions in determining the dynamics and deposit architecture of volcanic flows.

My research can be broadly grouped into two categories: 1) melting and mixing in the crust and mantle and the geochemical consequences of these processes, and 2) the dynamics of turbulent multiphase flows, and in particular the dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions and particle laden gravity currents, such as pyroclastic flows or turbidity currents. I am also interested in how these flows influence the landscape evolution on the Earth and other planets in our solar system. To learn more about the details of this research either follow the link on the left or select the pertinent rotating image above.

I'm currently looking for students and postdocs interested in physical volcanology, environmental multiphase flow, or planetary surface processes. The topics our group will be examining are interdisciplinary, and students with a variety of backgrounds (geology, geophysics, atmospheric science, physics, mathematics, etc) are encouraged to contact me if they have an interest in these topics.


Recent Research Examples:

  • Eruptive and Environmental Flows

    Our group examines the multiphase fluid dynamics of volcanic eruptions and environmental flows such as dust storms, debris flows, and forest fire plumes. This work involves a mixture of computational approaches, lab experiments, and field measurements of active flows and deposits.

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  • Magma Dynamics

    We use lab and computional approaches to examine heat and mass transfer associated with magmatic intrusions. This work also incorporates geophysical measurements and we are interested in the link between physical processes and geophysical signals.

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  • Microphysical Experiments and Sensors

    We investigate processes occuring at the grain scale and smaller, and conduct experiments to examine the influence of non-local behavior. This work is used to develop process-based models and subgrid models for multiphase flow. We also are interested in the development of sensors and sensor networks to better characterize flow properties in experiments and in natural flows.

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Principal Investigator

Josef Dufek studies physical processes in planetary interiors, volcanic eruption dynamics, and multiphase flows that shape the landscape and atmosphere. The Dufek group is primarily focused on the application of fluid dynamics to understand mass and energy transfer in geological and atmospheric processes, with particular emphasis on volcanic and planetary systems. One of the lab’s research goals is to delineate how multiphase interactions contribute to the structure and composition of planetary interiors, and the role of such interactions in determining the dynamics and deposits of geophysical flows using computational, experimental and field studies.


Josef Dufek received a B.S. in Geophysical Sciences from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Earth and Space Science from the University of Washington. He was a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Science at Georgia Tech from 2008-2018 and Associate Chair in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from 2014-2018. He is currently the Gwen and Charles Lillis Chair in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon and is a faculty associate of the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact.

Graduate Students

Information for Prospective Students

Undergraduate Researchers

Postdocs and Research Scientists

FEATURED STUDENT: PJ Zrelak

Fun Facts
  • Featured Student: PJ Zrelak
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  • Fun Facts
Featured Student: PJ Zrelak
                      
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Featured Student: PJ Zrelak
‘y research focuses on how geophysical granular flows (e.g., debris flows, pyroclastic density currents, and debris avalanches) interact with their substrate.
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