Earth & Planetary Science Professor Michael Manga
Receives Macelwane Medal
By Genevieve Shiffrar
June 24, 2002
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Dr. Michael Manga
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Associate Professor of Earth and Planetary Science Michael Manga focuses
his attention on the fluids of the Earth—such as the magma within
the crust and the lava and waters above it. He sees the Earth through
a strong interdisciplinary lens: a perspective combining the disciplines
of hydrology, volcanology, geodynamics and fluid mechanics with methodologies
of field work and mathematical and physical modeling.
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has awarded Professor Manga with
the James B. Macelwane Medal for his prolific and far-reaching research.
The Macelwane Medal is reserved for geoscientists under the age of 36
and is given for significant contributions to the study of the Earth
and its environment. The AGU is a worldwide organization of over 38,000
scientists from 117 countries representing the atmospheric, oceanic,
solid-earth, hydrologic, and space sciences.
A glimpse into Dr. Manga's research reveals the breadth, strength,
and creativity of his work.
Dr. Manga and his colleagues have studied the relationship between
water and volcanic activity. Rainwater can filter deep into the Earth
where volcanic activity is initiated. When the water reemerges and is
collected in natural springs for study, chemical tracers in it give
clues about the volcanic activity and the flow patterns of groundwater.
This topic also has practical applications in water resource management.
In dry central Oregon, where much of the ground is of volcanic origin,
most precipitation becomes groundwater, which in turn is the main source
of drinking and irrigation water.
Another example of the multifaceted research conducted by Professor
Manga combines hydrology with seismology. It is sometimes observed that
earthquakes can increase water flow in streams. Manga and his team proposed
that this may be the result of the subsurface of the Earth liquefying
during an earthquake, thereby increasing water pressure so that springs
release more water. This research has led to additional studies suggesting
that water can actually trigger earthquakes. Earthquakes occur when
parts of the Earth's crust, separated by a fault, shift. Water in the
fault can act like a lubricant and water at high pressure in the fault
may induce earthquakes.
While
much of Professor Manga's work includes collecting data in the field,
such as from streams and springs, it also incorporates work based on
creative physical and mathematical models. Dr. Manga, Dr. Mark Richards,
and other lab members have been modeling fluid circulation in the Earth's
mantle. A large tank holding 1350 liters of corn syrup simulates the
mantle. Canvas conveyor belts at the top represent the Earth's plates
and produce movement of the mantle fluid. Experimental data collected
from these simulations have given rise to powerful mathematical models
making more clear the complex dynamics and evolution of the Earth's
interior.
Professor Manga credits his students—both in the classroom and
in the laboratory—with helping to generate novel research ideas.
He believes that by integrating teaching and research, he not only benefits
from new perspectives and new questions, but he also sees more clearly
central issues. Students also benefit. They appreciate his passion and
his clarity as well as his knowledge and his helpfulness. Dr. Manga
received the Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching while at the University
of Oregon three years ago.
Although Dr. Manga has been a faculty member in the Department of Earth
and Planetary Science for only two years, he now is part of the Department's
historic connection to the American Geophysical Union's Macelwane Medal.
The AGU named the medal in honor of Father James B. Macelwane, a Jesuit
priest who earned his Ph.D. in Geology at Berkeley in 1923. Dr. Macelwane
taught seismology at Berkeley and set up the first of a series of seismographs
in Northern California. Well known for his dedication to helping young
scientists, he later taught at Saint Louis University and became the
13th president of the AGU.
Two additional faculty in Earth and Planetary Science have received
the award: Geochemistry Professor Donald Depaolo in 1983 and Geology
and Geophysics Professor Raymond Jeanloz in 1984.
As an inspiring teacher and cutting-edge scientist, Professor Michael
Manga further enriches this connection between the Macelwane Award and
the Department of Earth and Planetary Science. Congratulations to Dr.
Manga for receiving this prestigious award!
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