Research on materials properties in connection to the dynamics and evolution of Earth and planets.
Water in Earth and other planets and its role in the dynamics and evolution of these planetary bodies
High pressure, temperature experimental studies on physical properties suhc as plastic deformation, electrical conductivity, equation of state
Theoretical studies on physical properties including the equation of state, defect-related properties
Ph D Geophysics, University of Tokyo, 1977
MSc Geophysics, University of Tokyo, 1974
BSc, Geophysics, University of Tokyo, 1972
G&G 319/519: Introduction to the physics and chemistry of Earth materials
G&G 450/650: Deformation of Earth Materials
G&G 744: Seminar and geophysics of the mantle and core
Shun Karato’s research group in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Yale University focuses on the physical and chemical properties of materials under deep Earth conditions. Physical and chemical properties of materials change dramatically with pressure and temperature and have a major influence on the way Earth and other terrestrial planets evolve. High-pressure experimental studies are the major approach from which a number of new discoveries have been made. We collaborate with geologists, geodynamicists, seismologists and geochemists to understand the dynamics and evolution of Earth and other terrestrial planets based on materials properties.
This apparatus is capable of producing pressures of ~25 GPa and temperatures up to 3000 K. This allows us to reproduce conditions in the uppermost lower mantle.
This apparatus is capable of deforming materials to large strains, at pressures of 25 GPa and temperatures up to 2300 K. Using this apparatus, we have begun deformation experiments to determine the rheology of wadsleyite, the olivine polymorph in the upper half of the transition zone.
Our Griggs-type deformation apparatus is capable of deforming materials at ~2GPa and ~1600K to shear strains of up to gamma = 7
Our scanning electron microscope (SEM) allows us to conduct detailed studies of the microstructures of our samples. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) allows us to quickly and accurately determine individual grain orientations for microscopic fabric analysis.
Raman spectroscopy permits rapid phase identification with minimal sample preparation.
Infrared spectrometry is used to determine water contents in experimental and natural samples.
Office Address: 319 KGL
Mailing address: PO Box 208109, New Haven CT 06520-8109
Street address: 210 Whitney Ave, New Haven CT 06511
Selway, K.M., Yi, J. and Karato, S., 2014. Water content of the Tanzanian lithosphere: Implications for cratonic growth and stability, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 388: 175-186.[pdf]
Karato, S., 2014. Does partial melting explain geophysical anomalies?, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., 228: 300-306.[pdf]
Karato, S., 2014. Asymmetric shock heating and the terrestrial magma ocean origin of the Moon, Proceedings of the Japan Academy, B90: 97-103.[pdf]
Miyagi, L., Amulele, G., Otsuka, K., Du, Z. and Karato, S., 2014. Plastic anisotropy and slip systems in ringwoodite deformed to high shear strain in the rotational Drickamer apparatus, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., 228: 244-253.
Karato, S., 2014. Water in the evolution of Earth and other terrestrial planets, Treatise on Geophysics, v. 9, “Evolution of the Earth” (edited by D.J. Stevenson), Elsevier, in press.[pdf] tgp
Dai, L. and Karato, S., 2014. The effect of pressure on hydrogen-assisted electrical conductivity of olivine: implications for the conductivity jump at 410-km, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., in press.
Dai, L. and Karato, S., 2014. The effects of Fe and H on the electrical conductivity of olivine, submitted to Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.
Dai, L. and Karato, S., 2014. The effect of oxygen fugacity on hydrogen-assisted electrical conductivity of olivine: implications for the mechanism of conduction, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., in press.