The Yellowstone Caldera, sometimes called the Yellowstone Volcano, is a volcanic caldera and supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park in the western United States. The caldera measures 43 by 28 miles (70 by 45 kilometres).
The researchers’ expertise, energy and compassion leave a legacy.
Late Michigan State University researcher Min Chen contributed new seismic tomography of magma deposits under Yellowstone volcano.
When Ross Maguire was a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University (MSU), he wanted to study the volume and distribution of molten magma beneath Yellowstone volcano. Maguire used a technique called seismic tomography, which uses ground vibrations called seismic waves to create a 3-D picture of what’s going on beneath the Earth’s surface. Using this method, Maguire was able to create an image of the magma chamber window showing where the magma was. But these are not entirely clear pictures.
Thanks to these new images, with major contributions from Chen, Maguire and his team were able to see that there is twice as much magma in the Yellowstone magma system.
“I was looking for people with expertise in a specific type of seismic CT called waveform tomography,” said Maguire, now an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). “Min Chen was truly a world-class expert in this matter.”
Min Chen was an assistant professor at MSU in the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering and in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences. Using supercomputing power, Chen developed the method applied to Maguire’s images to more accurately model how seismic waves propagate through the Earth. Chen’s creativity and skill have sharpened these images, revealing more information about the amount of magma molten beneath Yellowstone volcano.
“We haven’t seen an increase in the amount of magma,” Maguire said. “We just saw a clearer picture of what was really there.”
Maine Chen. Credit: Michigan State University
Previous images showed that the Yellowstone volcano has a low concentration of magma – just 10% – surrounded by a strong crystalline framework. Thanks to these new images, with major contributions from Chen, Maguire and his team were able to see that there is twice as much magma in the Yellowstone magma system.
“To be clear, the new discovery does not indicate the possibility of a future eruption,” Maguire said. “Any signs of change in the system will be picked up by the network of geophysical instruments that constantly monitor Yellowstone.”
Unfortunately, Chen was unable to see the final results. His unexpected death in 2021 continues to send shockwaves throughout the geosciences community, who are grieving the loss of his passion and expertise.
“Computational seismology is still relatively new at MSU,” said Songqiao “Xun” Wei, a gifted assistant professor of geosciences in MSU’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, who was Chen’s colleague. Once the pandemic hit, Chen made his research lectures and discussions available on Zoom where researchers and students from all over the world could participate. That’s how many seismologists around the world have discovered MSU.
Its meetings were a place where talented undergraduates, postdoctoral candidates, or simply anyone interested were welcome. Chen invited potential graduate students and senior seismologists from around the world to join his virtual calls.
Chen cared deeply for his students’ welfare and jobs. She has fostered a holistic, interdisciplinary environment in which she encourages her students and postdocs to become well-informed scholars and build long-term collaborations. It has even hosted virtual seminars on life outside of academia to help students advance their careers and hobbies. Chen gave an example: She was an avid soccer player and knew how to dance.
Scientific diversity was another area Chen was fond of. She has championed and advocated for research opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. To honor Chen, his colleagues created a memorial scholarship on his behalf to provide support for graduate students to increase diversity in computational and earth sciences. In another tribute to his life and love of gardening, his classmates also planted a memorial tree in the yard of the Engineering Building on the MSU campus.
Chen was truly a pioneer in her field and was honored with the National Science Foundation Early Career Award. Recipient in 2020 of a detailed seismic imaging of North America to study Earth’s solid outer shell.
“She had a lot of energy,” Maguire said. “She was so focused on making sure people could succeed when she was incredibly successful.”
Maguire’s research, which showcases some of Chen’s legacy, is published in the journal Science.
Reference:
“Magna Accumulation Deep in the Former Rhyolite Storage Below the Yellowstone Caldera” By Ross Maguire, Brandon Schmandt, Jiaki Li, Chengxin Jiang, Juliang Li, Justin Wilgus, and Min Chen, Dec. 1, 2012, Available here. Science.
DOI: 10.1126 / science.ade0347
“What’s Underneath Yellowstone?” There is more magma than previously recognized, but it may not be eruptable.” By Carrie M Cooper, Dec 1, 2012 Available here. Science.
DOI: 10.1126 / science.ade8435