2009 Undergraduate Researchers
- Elizabeth Tandberg
Bleamaster Research Group
Dr. Bleamaster uses up-to-date NASA mission data to assess and interpret the geologic histories of our Solar System neighbors.
On Mars, Bleamaster’s work centers on evaluating the current and past distribution of volatiles (specifically water), potential volatile reservoirs, and the nature of volatile migration through time and how they modify the geologic record. These efforts include geologic, morphologic, and mineralogic mapping using Geographic Information Systems. Of particular interest are recently discovered phyllosilicates, which point to an extremely wet period in Mars’ past.
On Venus, Bleamaster is mapping Helen and Guinevere Planitae, approximately one quarter of the planet. Geologic mapping, in conjunction with geophysical modeling and new data from the European Space Agency’s Venus Express Mission points to a variety of dynamically supported and thermally anomalous centers with the region. This is strongly suggestive of active volcanic processes. The map products from this work as well as the overarching questions being addressed may ultimately drive future mission directives; whether it is retrieving a rock sample from a potentially active (young) site on Venus, performing in-situ chemical analyses of outgassing regions, or evaluating surface change via repeat-pass radar interferometry.
Qualifications of successful applicants
Sources of student funding
Students applying to work in my lab will be funded through the NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program.
