Erik Hauri:

Research Scientist

Carnegie Institution

Material in the atmosphere, the oceans, and the interior of the Earth circulates as a result of convection—the fluid motion that is driven by temperature variations and gravity. Geochemist Erik Hauri studies the movement of matter in planetary interiors and the origin and role of water in volcanic systems on Earth and the other terrestrial planets. Analysis of different atomic species, or isotopes, combined with numerical modeling and seismic imaging techniques are revealing what goes on inside the rocky planets and the timing of processes that occurred during planetary evolution. Hauri uses high-precision, highly sensitive mass spectrometry and other methods to analyze the composition of magma samples from Earth and meteorites and determine their implication for the composition and evolution of solar system bodies. He also directs the Carnegie-National Science Foundation National Ion Microprobe Facility — a resource for scientists from around the world to make in situ geochemical measurements at the micron scale.