My Research

My research focuses on the role of vapor bubbles, crystals, and solidified material in controlling the physical properties and dynamics of magmas and lavas. I combine numerical simulations, benchtop analogue laboratory experiments, and field constraints to approach problems from a variety of directions. I have experience working with finite difference and finite element methods for direct numerical simulation of lava dynamics and combine numerical simulations and statistical methods with lab and field observations to constrain lava properties. See below for more information on individual projects.

Projects

Bubble-driven convection in Ray Lava Lake, Mount Erebus, Antarctica

Field observations at 2021 eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano, Iceland

Field observations at 2021 eruption of Cumbre Vieja, La Palma, Canary Islands

Multiphase rheology determined via dam-break experiments

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging of multiphase lava analogues

Finite Element modeling of lava flow solidification

Publications

Birnbaum, J. (2023). Multi-phase controls on lava dynamics determined through analog experiments, observations, and numerical modeling. Columbia Academic Commons. https://doi.org/10.7916/xxb3-8g12

Birnbaum, J. , Lev, E., Hernandez, P. A., Barrancos, J., Padilla, G. D., Asensio-Ramos, M., Calvo, D., Rodríguez, F., Pérez, N. M., D’Auria, L., Calvari, S. (2023). Temporal variability of explosive activity at Tajogaite volcano, Cumbre Vieja (Canary Islands), 2021 eruption from ground-based infrared photography and videography. Front. Earth Sci. 11, 1193436. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1193436

Birnbaum, J., Zia, W., Bordbar, A., Lee, R. F., Boyce, C. M., Lev, E. (2023). Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multi-Phase Lava Flow Analogs: Velocity and Rheology. JGR: Solid Earth 128 (5), e2023JB026464. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JB026464

Namiki, A., Lev, E., Birnbaum, J., Baur, J. (2022). An experimental model of unconfined bubbly lava flows: Importance of localized bubble distribution. JGR: Solid Earth 127 (6), e2022JB024139. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB024139

Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Llewellin, E. W. (2021). Rheology of three-phase suspensions determined via dam-break experiments. PRSA 477 (2254), 20210394. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2021.0394

Birnbaum, J., Keller, T., Suckale, J., Lev, E. (2020). Periodic outgassing as a result of unsteady convection in Ray lava lake, Mount Erebus, Antarctica. EPSL 530, 115903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.115903

Birnbaum, J. (2018). Episodic degassing from unsteady lava lake convection in Ray Lava Lake, Mount Erebus, Antarctica. Stanford Digital Repository. https://purl.stanford.edu/ks996xx9045

Selected Presentations

Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Hernandez, P., Barrancos, J., Padilla, G., Asensio-Ramos, M., Calvo, D., Rodríguez, F., Pérez, N., Calvari, S. (2022). Temporal evolution of Cumbre Vieja explosive activity and ash plumes from ground-based infrared and visible cameras. EGU22. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu22-10749

Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Llewellin, E. W., Zia, W., Bordbar, A., Boyce, C. (2021). Evaluation of Bulk Rheology Assumptions in the Interior of Dam-break Flows. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. 2021AGUFM.V21A..02B

Birnbaum, J., Carchedi, C., Lee, M., Sawi, T., Russell, J. (2021). Browser-based Visualization of Seismic Records to Build Seismogram Literacy. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. 2021AGUFMED15A0521B

Lev, E., Birnbaum, J., Conroy, C. J., Whittington, A. G., Halverson, B. A. , Hammer, J. E., Llewellin, E. W. (2020). The rheology of three-phase lavas. Goldschmidt Conference 2020. https://doi.org/10.46427/gold2020.1465

Birnbaum, J., Lev, E. (2019). Dam-break Experiments of Particle- and Bubble-bearing Suspensions for Understanding Lava Flow Rheology. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. 2019AGUFM.V23F0272B