Graduate Student Highlight - Dale Burns

Dale Burns
Volcanology

From a very young age I began to develop a fascination with earth science. In particular, I was intrigued by natural disasters. As I grew older my fascination continued to grow, and after taking a geology class in high school I decided that I would pursue a career studying volcanoes. After graduating high school, I received a B.A. in geology from Humboldt State University, and the following year I came to San Diego State University to work with Dr. Aaron Pietruszka. I have been very lucky throughout my student career and have been able to study various aspects of igneous petrology/volcanology, from experimental petrology and isotope geochemistry to mapping a variety of volcanic terrains. While studying at SDSU, I have had the fortunate opportunity to present my data at multiple scientific conferences, including an oral presentation at the 2008 IAVCEI in Reykjavik, Iceland. I will be graduating this spring (2009) with an M.S. in Geological Sciences, and will be starting my Ph.D. next year at Oregon State University.

Advisor Aaron Pietruszka

Thesis The Recent Prehistoric Geochemical Evolution of Summit Lavas From Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

In the most general sense, I use isotope ratios along with major and trace element abundances to investigate changes in the composition of what is melting beneath Kilauea Volcano, and how these changes relate to eruption rates in the recent prehistoric times.
Research Interests Volcanology, caldera complexes, hydrovolcanic features, isotope geochemistry, general geochemistry, mantle plumes, ignimbrites, and pretty much everything else associated with explosive volcanic eruptions.

Education

• Ph.D. Geosciences (starting Fall 2009) Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
• M.S. Geological Sciences (2009) San Diego State University, San Diego, California
• B.A. Geology (2007) Humboldt State University, Arcata, California