Geofluids and Mechanics of Porous Media

Our department has invested significantly in the study of fluids in porous media, from the transport properties to the physical properties of fluid-bearing media, such as soils, sediments and crystal-magma suspensions.  Research topics include groundwater flow in terrestrial and coastal environments, fluid flow during compaction and diagenesis, migration of hydrocarbons, effects of fluids on slope stability, gas-hydrate dynamics, fluid flow in accretionary prisms, and even melt migration through rocks.  We explore these problems using mathematical modeling and geophysical, experimental, and geochemical techniques.  We have laboratories for measuring elastic properties, rheology, transport properties, and electrical conductivity of a variety of geo-materials.  Our work has environmental, industrial and geologic applications.