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James Tyburczy

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School Of Earth and Space Exploration
Emeritus Professor
Faculty,
Biography: 

James Tyburczy is a mineral physicist studying the physical and chemical properties of minerals, melts, and rocks. The results are applied to understanding the mechanisms of magma generation and ascent and the temperature, mineralogy and physical state of matter at depth in the Earth.  This work involves high pressure experimental studies of geological materials. Laboratory investigations of diffusivity and electrical conductivity of rocks and minerals place important constraints on temperatures and conditions such as volatile content of the upper mantle and on rates of processes occurring at depth. An interdisciplinary approach is applied to the interpretation on geophysical results. He also studies the effects of shock on volatile-containing materials and the implications for early planetary evolution and for the stability of these materials at very high pressure.  In addition, Professor Tyburczy is involved in environmental geophysics using gravity and other methods of study groundwater and land subsidence.

CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Education: 

Ph.D. University of Oregon 1983

Research Interests: 

James Tyburczy is a mineral physicist studying the physical and chemical properties of minerals, melts, and rocks.  The results are applied to understanding the mechanisms of magma generation and ascent and the temperature, mineralogy and physical state of matter at depth in the Earth.  This work involves high pressure experimental studies of geological materials.  Laboratory investigations of diffusivity and electrical conductivity of rocks and minerals place important constraints on temperatures and conditions such as volatile content of the upper mantle and on rates of processes occurring at depth.  An interdisciplinary approach is applied to the interpretation on geophysical results.  He also studies the effects of shock on volatile-containing materials and the implications for early planetary evolution and for the stability of these materials at very high pressure.  In addition, Tyburczy is involved in environmental geophysics using gravity and other methods of study groundwater and land subsidence.

Publications: 

  • Novella, D., Jacobsen, B., Weber, P.K., Tyburczy, J.A., Ryerson, F.J., Du Frane, W.L., Hydrogen self-diffusion in single crystal olivine and electrical conductivity of the Earth’s mantle, Nature Scientific Reports, 7:5344, doi:10.1038/s41598-017-05113-6 (2017).

  • Helwig, W., E. Soignard, J.A. Tyburczy, Effect of water on the high-pressure structural behavior of anorthite-diopside eutectic glass, J. Non-Crystalline Solids, 452, 312-319 doi: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2016.08.030, 2016

  • Pommier, A., K. Leinenweber, D.L. Kohlstedt, C. Qi, E.J. Garnero, S.J. Mackwell, J.A. Tyburczy, Experimental constraints on the electrical anisotropy of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system, Nature 522, 202-206 (June 11, 2015), doi:10.1038/nature14502, 2015.

  • Tyburczy, J.A., and W.L. DuFrane,  Properties of rocks and minerals - The electrical conductivity of rocks, minerals and the Earth, in G. Schubert, series editor, Lars Stixrude volume editor, Treatise on Geophysics 2nd edition: Volume 2 Mineral Physics, pp. 661-672, Elsevier Ltd., Oxford, UK, 2015.

  • Wang, Y., J.A. Tyburczy, B. Li, D. Dobson, G. Fiquet, T. Irifune, Z. Jin, T. Katsura, E. Ohtani, Editors, High-Pressure Research in Earth Science: Crust, Mantle, and Core – The Liebermann Volume, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, vol. 228, March 2014.

  • Pommier, A., R.L. Evans, K. Key, J.A. Tyburczy, S. Mackwell, J. Elsenbeck, Prediction of silicate melt viscosity from electrical conductivity: A model and its geophysical implications, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14(6), 1685 – 1692,  doi:10.1002/ggge.20103, 2013.

  • DuFrane, W.L. and J.A. Tyburczy, Deuterium-hydrogen exchange in olivine:  Implications for point defects and electrical conductivity, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 13(3), Q03004, doi:10.1029/2011GC003895, 2012.

  • Kurt D. Leinenweber, J.A.Tyburczy, T.G. Sharp, E. Soignard, T. Diedrich, W.B. Petuskey, Y. Wang, J.L. Mosenfelder, Cell assemblies for reproducible multi-anvil experiments (the COMPRES assemblies),  American Mineralogist 97, 353-368, doi:10.2138/am.2012.3844, 2012.

  • Garnero, E.J., A.K. McNamara, J.A. Tyburczy, Structure of Earth’s lower mantle, in H.K. Gupta, editor, Encyclopedia of Solid Earth Geophysics, Springer Science+Business B.V., pp. 154-159, doi:10.1007/978-90-481-8702-7, 2011.

  • Watson, H.C., J.J. Roberts, J.A. Tyburczy. The effect of conductive grain boundary impurities on electrical conductivity in polycrystalline olivine. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, L02303, doi:10.1029/2009GL041566, 2010 (2010).
  • Romano, C., B.T. Poe, J. Tyburczy, F. Nestola. Electrical conductivity of hydrous wadsleyite. European J. Mineral (2009).
  • Daniel Toffelmier, James Tyburczy. Electromagnetic detection of a 410 km deep melt layer in the southwestern U.S. Nature (2007).
  • Tyburczy, James A. Properties of rocks and minerals - The electrical conductivity of rocks, minerals and the Earth. Treatise on Geophysics: Volume 2 Properties of Rocks and Minerals (2007).
  • K Leinenweber, J Hernlund, James Tyburczy, D Locke. A numerical model for steady-state temperature distributions in solid-medium high-pressure cell assemblies. American Mineralogist (2006).
  • Kurt Leinenweber, J. Mosenfelder, T. Diedrich, Emmanuel Soignard, Thomas Sharp, James Tyburczy, James Tyburczy, Y. Wang. High-pressure cells for in-situ multi-anvil experiments. High Pressure Research (2006).
  • W Du Frane, J Roberts, D Toffelmier, James Tyburczy. Anisotropy of electrical conductivity in dry olivine. Geophysical Research Letters (2005).
  • Lisa Gaddis, Matthew Staid, James Tyburczy, B Ray Hawke, Noah Petro. Compositional Analyses of lunar pyroclastic deposits. Icarus (2003).
  • James Tyburczy, X Xu, T Ahrens, S Epstein. Shock-induced devolatilization and isotopic fractionation of H and C from Murchison Meteorite: some implications for planetary accretion. Earth Planet Sci Lett (2001).
  • James Tyburczy. Heads or tails - A learning cycle exercise on radioactive decay and age determination. J. Geoscience Education (2000).
Research Activity: 
Summer 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 101Intro to Geology I (Physical)
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 470Hydrogeology
GLG 598Special Topics
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 101Intro to Geology I (Physical)
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 470Hydrogeology
GLG 598Special Topics
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 325Oceanography
GLG 325Oceanography
CHM 385Oceanography
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 470Hydrogeology
GLG 592Research
AST 592Research
GLG 598Special Topics
GLG 599Thesis
SES 692Research
GLG 692Research
AST 692Research
AST 792Research
GLG 792Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
GLG 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 101Intro to Geology I (Physical)
GLG 592Research
GLG 599Thesis
AST 692Research
SES 692Research
GLG 692Research
SES 792Research
GLG 792Research
AST 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
GLG 799Dissertation
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 592Research
AST 692Research
GLG 799Dissertation
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 470Hydrogeology
AST 592Research
GLG 592Research
GLG 598Special Topics
GLG 599Thesis
GLG 692Research
AST 692Research
GLG 792Research
AST 792Research
GLG 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
Fall 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 101Intro to Geology I (Physical)
GLG 592Research
GLG 599Thesis
GLG 692Research
AST 692Research
GLG 792Research
AST 792Research
GLG 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
Presentations: 
  • W.L. Du Frane, J.A. Tyburczy, T.G. Sharp,. D-H Interdiffusion Coefficients in Olivine: Implications for Electrical Conductivity in the Upper Mantle. American Geophysical Union, Fall National Meeting, Dec 2010 (Dec 2010).
  • Tyburczy, J.A., W.L. Du Frane, T.G. Sharp,. Interdiffusion of deuterium and hydrogen in olivine and enstatite: Initial results. American Geophysical Union, Fall National Meeting, Dec 2009 (Dec 2009).
  • Johnson, J.K., Reynolds, S.J., Tyburczy, J.A., Busch, M.M., and Coyan, J.A. Resolving the breadth versus depth versus inquiry dilemma in introductory college geology courses. Geological Society of America, National Meeting, Oct 2009 (Oct 2009).
  • Du Frane, W.L., J.A. Tyburczy, T.G. Sharp. Interdiffusion of deuterium and hydrogen in olivine and enstatite: Early results,. Geological Society of America, National Meeting, Oct 2009 (Oct 2009).
  • Tyburzcy, J.A, J. M. Brown, J. van Orman. Workshop on Long Range Plan for High Pressure Earth Sciences, Tempe AZ. NSF-sponsored Workshop (Mar 2009).
  • Du Frane, W.L., J.A. Tyburczy, R.L. Hervig, T.G. Sharp. D-H interdiffusion in olivine: Preliminary results. American Geophysical Union, Fall National Meeting 2008 (Dec 2008).
  • Leinenweber, Kurt;Tyburczy, James; Sharp, Thomas. Multi-Anvil Cell Assembly Initiative: New Developments and Production. COMPRES Annual Meeting (Jun 2008).
  • Tyburczy, James. Detection of a 410 km deep upper mantle melt layer in the souothwestern U.S>. Northern Arizona Univeristy - Geology Department Colloquium (Sep 2007).
  • Toffelmier, D, Tyburczy, James. Forward models of the electromagnetic response of upper mantle structure: Models with a 410 km deep upper mantle melt layer. American Geophysical Union National Meeting (Dec 2006).
  • Tyburczy, James, Toffelmier, D. Modeled electromagnetic response of a 410 km deep upper mantle melt layer. American Geophysical Union Fall National Meeting (Dec 2006).
  • Tyburczy, James. Change in the Department of Geological Sciences at ASU. Workshop on Geoscience Departments: Developing Pathways to Strong Programs for the Future (Feb 2005).
  • Tyburczy, James, Leshin, L, Christensen, P. School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University: Initial Conceptualization. Workshop on Geoscience Departments: Developing Pathways to Strong Programs for the Future (Feb 2005).
  • Tyburczy, James. Electrical conductivity, oxygen fugacity and mantle materials. Conference on Oxygen in the Terrestrial Planets (Jul 2004).
  • Du Frane, W, Tyburczy, James, Roberts, J, Toffelmier, D. Anisotropic and isotropic effective olivine medium models. American Geophysical; Union Fall Meeting 2005
  • Leinenweber, K, Tyburczy, James, Sharp, T, Soignard, E, Diedrich, T, Petuskey, W, Mosenfelder, J. Performance of the COMPRES multi-anvil high-pressure assemblies. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2005
  • Toffelmier, D, Tyburczy, James, Du Frane, W, Roberts, J. Forward modeling of regional electrical conductivity structure using mineral physics constraints and seismic observables. AGU Fall Meeting 2005
  • Tyburczy, James. Electrical conductivity of water-bearing wadsleyite and the water content of the transition zone. COMPRES Annual Meeting
  • Tyburczy, James. Measuring bedrock topography using gravity to understand subsidence along a portion of the CAP canal. CAP-LTER - 5th Annual Poster Symposium
  • Frane WD, Du, Roberts, J, Constable, S, Toffelmier, D, Tyburczy, James. Anisotropy of Point Defect Mechanisms and Electrical Conduction in Single Crystal Olivine. American Geophysical Union Fall Annual Meeting
  • Leinenweber, Kurt, Tyburczy, James, Sharp, Thomas. COMPRES Multi-Anvil Cell Assembly Porject 2006-7 Report. COMPRES Annual Meeting
  • Leinenweber, Kurt, Tyburczy, James, Sharp, Thomas, Stoyanov, E. Bridging the piston-cylinder/multianvil gap. American Geophysical Union Fall National Meeting 2007
Professional Associations: 

American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Geophysical Union, Mineralogical Society of America, Sigma Xi, National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Geological Society of America

Work History: 

2017 Deputy Director, School of Earth & Space Exploration, ASU 2013-2014 Interim Director, School of Earth & Space Exploration, ASU 2012-2013 Associate Director, School of Earth & Space Exploration, ASU 2007-2008 Visiting Scientist, Astrogeology Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ 2006-2007 Associate Director, School of Earth and Space Exploration, ASU 2005-2006 Interim Associate Director, School of Earth and Space Exploration, ASU 2003-2006 Chair, Department of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University 2000-2003 Associate Chair, Department of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University 1999-2000 Visiting Adjunct Research Scientist, Astrogeology Branch, US Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ 1998-1999 Interim Chair, Department of Geology, Arizona State University 1997-present Professor, School of Earth & Space Exploration, Arizona State University 1997-1998 Associate Chair, Department of Geology, Arizona State University 1991-1997 Associate Professor, Department of Geology, Arizona State University 1986-1997 Visiting Associate in Geophysics, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif. 1992-1993 Visiting Associate Professor, Center for High Pressure Research, Department of Earth & Space Science, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 1985-1991 Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Arizona State University 1983-1986 Research Fellow in Geophysics, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif. 1976-1983 Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Department of Geology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. 1974-1976 Chemist in Polymer Physical Sciences, Dynapol Corp., Palo Alto, Calif.

Service: 

  • Program Committee Chair, COMPRES Annual Meeting, Tamaya, NM, 2017.

  • Co-Convener, Workshop on US Large Multi Anvil Facility (LMAPF), Colorado Springs (COMPRES), 2015.  
  • Executive Committee, Consortium for Materials Properties Research in the Earth Sciences (COMPRES), 2008-2014.  
  • Distinguished Lecturer, Consortium for Materials Properties Research in the Earth Sciences (COMPRES) 2012-2013
  • SESE Exploration Postdoctoral Fellow Awward Committee, Member (2010 - 2015)
  • SESE - Earth & Space Science Day, Activity/Booth Organizer/Leader - Thor's Mighty Hammer (2009 - Present)
  • Undergraduate Advisor - SESE, Advising of Undergraduates (2008 - Present)
  • Curriculum Committee - SESE, Unoffical coordinator and agitator (2008 - 2013)
  • Physics & Chemistry of Minerals, Advisory Board (2007 - Present)
  • Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (G-cubed), Editor (2009 - 2013)
  • Mineralogical Society of America, MSA Award Committee, Award Committee Member (2009 - 2012)
  • Faculty/Scientific Advisory Committee for the Multi Anvil Facility, Chair (2009 - 2011)
  • Faculty/Scientific Advisory Committee for the Omni Pressure Lab, Chair (2009 - 2011)
  • SESE - Personnel Committee, Chair, Promotion and Tenure Subcomittee (2008 - 2011)
  • Consortium for Materials Properties Research in the Earth Sciences (COMPRES), Executive Committee Member (2008 - 2011)
  • American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting Special Session Co-Convener (2010 - 2010)
  • SESE - Curriculum Committee, Coordinator (2008 - 2009)
  • Personnel Committee - SESE, Chair, Promotion and Tenure Subcomittee (2008 - 2009)
  • Geosciences Research, Basic Energy Sciences, DoE, Member, Committee of Visitors (2007 - 2008)
  • School of Earth and Space Exploration, Associate Director Undergrad Programs (2006 - 2007)
  • Robert S. Dietz Memorial Lecture 2007, Organizer (2007)
  • Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, Editor (2000 - 2006)
  • School of Earth and Space Exploration, Interim Associate Director (2005 - 2006)
  • Department of Geological Sciences, Chair (2003 - 2006)
  • Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Associate Editor (2003 - 2005)
  • Intel ISEF (Inernational Science & Engineering Fair), Grand Awards Judge (2005 - 2005)
  • Workshop on Geoscience Departments: Developing Pathways to Strong Programs for the Future, Invited presenter and participant (2005 - 2005)
  • Infrastructure Development Committee, Consortium for Materials Property Research in the Earth Sciences (COMPRES), Chairman (2001 - 2004)
  • COMPRES - Infrastructure Development Committee, Committee Chair (2001 - 2004)
  • Geography Chair Search Committee, Committee Chair (2003 - 2004)
  • ASU Leadership Academy, Participant (2003)
  • CLAS Research Awards Committee, Subcommittee Chairman (2003)
  • Department of Geological Sciences, Associate Chair (2003)
  • Earth Science Day - ASU Geological Sciences, Organizer (2003)
  • Graduate Advisor - Dept Geol Sci, Graduate Advisor (2003)
  • NSF Earth Science Instrumentation and Facilities Review Panel, Member (1997 - 2000)
Expertise Areas: 
Geological Processes