The Ethiopian Rift System
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The Ethiopian Rift System |
My current research concentrates on the Main Ethiopian Rift from the perspective of geochemical and petrographical variation in the central rift. This central zone is considered a key transition zone between the continental rifting to the south and seafloor spreading to the north. My research investigates key magmatic processes associated with this transitional rifting and evaluates geochemical data in an extensive geophysical framework. This synthesis of geochemical, petrographic and geophysical data at this important location is a primary objective of the EAGLE project that sponsored this work. |
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The Baltimore Mafic Complex 
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Mafic rocks preserved in accretionary mountain belts often provide significant geologic information on the paleo-tectonic setting of the host litho-tectonic block. However, the highly tectonized structures and polymetamorphic histories of many of these mafic complexes make geochemical characterization the primary key for understanding their tectonic affinities. Sr-Nd-Pb isotope systematics of these complexes have probed the magmatic source region, but have been modified to some extent by metamorphic overprinting related to the emplacement of the mafic complex or later collisional events. We present the first Hf isotope data for the Baltimore Mafic complex, and utilize these data to characterize the mantle source region and its paleo-tectonic setting. |
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Hafnium isotope mapping of the Eastern US lithosphere  |
The isotopic evolution of lithospheric and sub-lithospheric reservoirs is recorded in volcanic rocks associated with extensional/plume tectonics. We utilize basaltic rocks associated with two major supercontinent breakup events, e.g. Rodinia and Pangea, as well as those associated with the formation of the North America Mid-Continent Rift to examine lithosphere evolution over a b.y. of geologic time. The application of Hf isotopes, in conjunction with Nd and Pb isotopes, reveals the complexity of the lithosphere in eastern North America. Our ongoing studies will provide a more comprehensive understanding of lithospheric geochemical signatures associated with ancient magmatic episodes. |
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Subduction Volcansim in Panama  |
This work is the Ph.D. research of Paulo Hidalgo and will be expanded in time. Currently the focus is on the volcano El Baru and El Valle. |
