JOSH TURKA

MS  (2010)

Josh’s MS research was a study of primitive / high-Mg# lavas the Cascade arc.  Most of Josh’s work involved using our electron microprobe to measure the minor and trace element abundances of olivine phenocrysts in primitive Cascade lavas of different compositions, including basalts, basaltic andesites and andesites.  Josh’s study showed clearly that the minor element abundances of olivine phenocrysts in Cascade basalts are systematically different from those in olivine phenocrysts from Cascade basaltic andesites and andesites.  Specifically, his results demonstrate that at an forsterite content above FO80, olivine phenocrysts in primitive basaltic andesites and andesites high higher Ni and lower Mn and Ca than do olivine phenocrysts from primitive basalts. 

Josh is doing the analytical work on his project in the clean lab and mass spec facilities at Washinton State University.  His work at Washington State has been under the guidance of our collaborator there, Jeff Vervoort. 

Josh earned his BS degree in geology from Colgate University in 2008.  His senior thesis there was a geochemical study of Tertiary lavas from Iceland.  Josh’s work at Colgate was under the supervsion of professor Karen Harpp.  Josh is pictured here in Iceland in 2007.