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Home  /  People  /  Paul D. Asimow

Paul D. Asimow

Eleanor and John R. McMillan Professor of Geology and Geochemistry
A.B., Harvard University, 1991; M.S., Caltech, 1993; Ph.D., 1997. Assistant Professor, 1999-2005; Associate Professor, 2005-2010; Professor, 2010-; McMillan Professor, 2016-.
Research Summary
Computational, experimental, and observational approaches to igneous petrology and mineral physics

Research Options

Geochemistry;  Geology; 

Research Areas

Chemical Petrology;  Experimental Petrology;  High–pressure Mineral Physics;  Marine Geophysics;  Mineralogy; 

Profile

Thermodynamic and kinetic models of magmatic processes including adiabatic mantle melting and melt transport; the role of water in petrologic and geodynamic behavior of the mantle; melting and differentiation in the deep mantle and the early earth; experimental investigation of silicate and metallic liquids and minerals under static and dynamic high pressure; petrologic and geodynamic processes at mid-ocean ridges and back-arc basins.

To learn about the Caltech shock wave laboratory, see the Lindhurst Laboratory of Experimental Geophysics website.

If you are looking for the alphaMELTS software package, see MAGMASOURCE.

If you want to learn about thermodynamic Phase Equilibria, visit my interactive online curriculum for visualization of free energy relationships in binary and ternary systems.

PI Viewpoint by Prof. Paul D. Asimow, February 20, 2017: "I stand with the Association of American Universities to urge a permanent end to the recent exehttps://lindhurstlab.caltech.edu/cutive order -- and any future action by the current Administration -- that would bar individuals from certain countries from entering or returning to the United States of America. Previous administrations' visa policies have achieved their security goals while welcoming talented individuals from all parts of the world to study, teach, and carry out research in the USA. It is essential to our nation's well-being and to the progress of science in the USA and the world that this continues without interruption. International researchers — including undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scientists — are encouraged to apply to work with me and with my group to create knowledge that illuminates our planet and benefits all of humanity."

Igneous Petrology and Mineral Physics

My group and I investigate the melting and crystallization of rocks and the influence of magmatic processes on the interiors of terrestrial planets (mostly Earth...). This research combines thermodynamic and quantum modeling, experimental investigation by static and shockwave techniques, and analysis of actual rocks from the world's oceans. The goal of all these studies is to characterize the mineralogy and melting of the top and bottom of earth's mantle, the

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Selected Awards

James B. Macelwane Medal of the AGU
Frank Wigglesworth Clarke Medal of the Geochemical Society
Richard P. Feynman prize for excellence in teaching at Caltech

External Affiliations

Fellow of the American Geophysical Union
Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America

Publications

    For a complete publications list, see feeds.library.caltech.edu

    For PDF reprints of papers that may not be available from the links below, see my page at CaltechAUTHORS

    Ge 1. Earth and Environment. 9 units (3-3-3); third term, 2023-24. An introduction to the ideas and approaches of earth and planetary sciences, including both the special challenges and viewpoints of these kinds of science as well as the ways in which basic physics, chemistry, and biology relate to them. In addition to a wide-ranging lecture-oriented component, there will be a required field trip component. The lectures and topics cover such issues as solid Earth structure and evolution, plate tectonics, oceans and atmospheres, climate change, and the relationship between geological and biological evolution. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Satisfies the menu requirement of the Caltech core curriculum.
    Instructor: Asimow
    Ge 116. Analytical Techniques Laboratory. 9 units (1-4-4); second term, 2023-24. Prerequisites: Ge 114 a or instructor's permission. Methods of quantitative laboratory analysis of rocks, minerals, and fluids in geological and planetary sciences. Consists of five intensive two-week modules covering scanning electron microscopy (imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction); the electron microprobe (wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy); X-ray powder diffraction; optical, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy; and plasma source mass spectrometry for elemental and radiogenic isotope analysis. Satisfies the Institute core requirement for an additional introductory laboratory course.
    Instructors: Asimow, Ehlmann, Jackson
    Ge 212. Thermodynamics of Geological Systems. 9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2023-24. Prerequisites: Either Ch 21 abc, Ge 115 a, or equivalents. Chemical thermodynamics as applied to geological and geochemical problems. Classical thermodynamics, including stability criteria, homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria, equilibria subject to generalized constraints, equations of state, ideal and non-ideal solutions, redox systems, and electrolyte conventions. Brief discussion of statistical foundations and an introduction to the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. Given in alternate years; offered 2023-24.
    Instructor: Asimow
    Ge 1. Earth and Environment. 9 units (3-3-3); third term, 2022-23. An introduction to the ideas and approaches of earth and planetary sciences, including both the special challenges and viewpoints of these kinds of science as well as the ways in which basic physics, chemistry, and biology relate to them. In addition to a wide-ranging lecture-oriented component, there will be a required field trip component. The lectures and topics cover such issues as solid Earth structure and evolution, plate tectonics, oceans and atmospheres, climate change, and the relationship between geological and biological evolution. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Satisfies the menu requirement of the Caltech core curriculum.
    Instructor: Asimow
    Ge 116. Analytical Techniques Laboratory. 9 units (1-4-4); second term, 2022-23. Prerequisites: Ge 114 a or instructor's permission. Methods of quantitative laboratory analysis of rocks, minerals, and fluids in geological and planetary sciences. Consists of five intensive two-week modules covering scanning electron microscopy (imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction); the electron microprobe (wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy); X-ray powder diffraction; optical, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy; and plasma source mass spectrometry for elemental and radiogenic isotope analysis. Satisfies the Institute core requirement for an additional introductory laboratory course.
    Instructors: Asimow, Ehlmann, Jackson
    Ge 212. Thermodynamics of Geological Systems. 9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2022-23. Prerequisites: Either Ch 21 abc, Ge 115 a, or equivalents. Chemical thermodynamics as applied to geological and geochemical problems. Classical thermodynamics, including stability criteria, homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria, equilibria subject to generalized constraints, equations of state, ideal and non-ideal solutions, redox systems, and electrolyte conventions. Brief discussion of statistical foundations and an introduction to the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. Given in alternate years; not offered 2022-23.
    Instructor: Asimow
    Ge 215. Topics in Advanced Petrology. 9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2022-23. Prerequisites: Ge 115 ab or instructor's permission. Lectures, readings, seminars, and/or laboratory studies in igneous or metamorphic petrology, paragenesis, and petrogenesis. The course may cover experimental, computational, or analytical methods. Format and content are flexible according to the needs of the students. Given in alternate years; offered 2022-23.
    Instructor: Asimow