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
Publications
Moussallam, Y., rose-Koga, E. F., Fischer, T. P., Georgeais, G., Lee, H. J., Birnbaum, J., Pfeffer, M. A., Barnie, T., Regis, E. (2024). Kinetic isotopic degassing of CO2 during the 2021 Fagradalsjall eruption and the δ13C signature of the Icelandic mantle. G3 25 (12) e2024GC011997. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GC011997
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Zorn, E. U., Kendrick, J. E., Lamur, A., Birnbaum, J., Kueppers, U., da Silva, M. M., Lavallée, Y. (2024). Experimental investigation of volcaniclastic compaction during burial. Volcanica 7 (2) 765-783. https://doi.org/10.30909/vol.07.02.765783
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Bordbar, A., Zia, W., Birnbaum, J., Omidi, J., Lee, R. F., Lev, E., Boyce, C. M. (2024). Magnetic resonance imaging of a stream of bubbles injected into liquid suspensions. Chem. Eng. J. 494 (153282) 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.153282
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Selected Presentations
Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Spiegelman, M., Kendrick, J. E., Lavallée, Y. Numerical simulation of the effect of solidifying crusts on lava propagation and arrest. Oral presentation given at EGU Annual Meeting, April. 2024.
Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Dietterich, H.. Towards lava flow breakouts: Finite element modeling of free-surface flows with a solidifying crust. Poster presentation given at IAVCEI Scientific Assembly, Feb. 2023.
Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Hernandez, P., Barrancos, J., Padilla, G., Asensio-Ramos, M., Calvo, D., Rodríguez, F., Pérez, N., D’Auria, L., Calvari, S.. Temporal variability of explosive activity and ash plumes from ground-based infrared and visible cameras at Cumbre Vieja Volcano. Oral presentation given at IAVCEI Scientific Assembly, Feb. 2023.
Birnbaum, J., Lev, E.. A new finite-element model for solidifying lavas. Poster presentation given at GSA Annual Meeting, Oct. 2022.
Birnbaum, J., Zia, W., Bordbar, A., Lee, R. F., Lev, E., Boyce, C. M.. Imaging the interior of multi-phase analog lava flows: MRI measurements of velocity and rheology. Oral presentation given at GSA Annual Meeting, Oct. 2022.
Birnbaum, J., Christopher, C., Lee, M.., Sawi, T., Russell, J.. Browser-based visualization tool for seismic records. Interactive demonstration given at NAGT Earth Educators Rendezvous, July 2022.
Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Hernandez, P., Barrancos, J., Padilla, G., Asensio-Ramos, M., Calvo, D., Rodríguez, F., Pérez, N., Calvari, S.. Temporal evolution of Cumbre Vieja explosive activity and ash plumes from ground-based infrared and visible cameras. Oral presentation given at EGU Annual Meeting, May 2022 (virtual).
Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., Llewellin, E. W., Zia, W., Bordbar, A., Boyce, C.. Evaluation of Bulk Rheology Assumptions in the Interior of Dam-break Flows. Oral presentation given at AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 2021 (virtual).
Birnbaum, J., Carchedi, C., Lee, M., Sawi, T., Russell, J.. Browser-based Visualization of Seismic Records to Build Seismogram Literacy. Poster presentation given at AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 2021 (virtual).
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Lev E., Birnbaum, J., Whittington, A., Halverson, B., Hammer, J. and Llewellin, E.. The Rheology of Three-Phase Lavas and Magmas. Recorded oral presentation given at Goldschmidt Annual Meeting, June 2020 (virtual).
Birnbaum, J. and Lev, E.. Dam-break experiments of particle- and bubble-bearing suspensions for understanding lava flow rheology. Poster presentation given at AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 2019.
Birnbaum, J. and Lev E.. Investigating the rheology of particle- and bubble-bearing lava using analogue flows and numerical simulations. Oral presentation given at GSA Fall Meeting, Sept. 2019.
