Hydrothermal systems
Hydrothermal are fascinating dynamic systems, which involve groundwater circulation in volcanic regions, transporting heat and metals to the surface; both fundamental to impulse the revolution of renewable energies. I am trying to understand the evolution of hydrothermal systems from an integrated perspective, by connecting them with geological events (volcanic eruptions and earthquakes), climatic fluctuations (e.g. glacial unloading, changes in regional groundwater circulation patterns). I am in studying hydrothermal systems as analog for understanding origin of life on Earth, and in other planets.
My background
I am originally from Chile, where I did my undergrad and a master degree. I worked as an exploration geologist in the geothermal and mining industry for +4 years. I moved to the USA in 2010 to do my PhD., and I have been doing research since. I have lead and participated in numerous field expeditions to volcanic hydrothermal areas including the Chilean Andes, Yellowstone, and Iceland. I have experience conducting geological mapping, geochemical sampling and geophysical surveys. I enjoy working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, including researchers and students. I strongly value outreach and the involvement of local communities in my scientific projects.
My Research
Geysers
Geysers are hot springs that periodically or episodically erupt liquid water and vapor. They are uncommon because they require a combination of abundant water recharge, magmatism to supply heat and silica, and fractures or cavities to trap rising multiphase fluids. Fewer than 1000 geysers have been reported on Earth and most geysers are concentrated in three geyser fields: Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, United States), Geyser Valley (Kamchatka, Russia), and El Tatio (Atacama, Chile).
Sinter deposits
Sinters are sedimentary, siliceous deposits commonly found in geothermal areas. The formation occurs in two steps: hot water circulates underground, and dissolves silica from the host rock; then, silica precipitates at the surface as water is discharged from hot springs. Extensive sinter formations are linked to up-flow areas of fluids originated in high temperature (>175 °C) reservoirs. They provide a guide for geothermal and epithermal ore deposit exploration. Fluid geochemistry, microbial communities, and environmental conditions of deposition determine the texture of sinter.
Mars-analogs
Hot springs environments contain water, thermal and chemical energy to initiate and sustain life, becoming ideal targets for Mars exploration. Martian opaline rocks around volcanoes present textural and morphological characteristics comparable with terrestrial hot springs and geysers silica sinter deposits.