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Planetary Fluids

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People

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Daniel Moncada is an Assistant professor in the Department of Geology, University of Chile. Daniel´s teaching and research experience includes the role of fluids in planetary processes and the physical and geochemical environment of formation of mineral deposits. Daniel has been working in Mexico, Turkey, USA, Chile, Argentina, and China combining numerical modeling, geochemistry, structural geology, mapping surface and underground mines, logging drill core, resource modeling and estimation, remote sensing, assistance in planning exploration projects. Daniel's interests include playing (running and racketball)

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Claudia Cannatelli´s research is focused on the understanding of how the Earth´s internal processes contribute to producing magmatism and volcanism. She investigates the roles that volatiles play in melting, crystallization, degassing, style and frequency of volcanic eruptions by combining melt inclusions studies and thermodynamic modeling. She is also interested in mantle melting processes and magma genesis in subduction zones. Dr. Cannatelli teaches courses in Physical Volcanology, Fluids in Planetary Systems and Environmental Geochemistry. As associate researcher at Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), she works in the “Heat Sources” and “Fluid Geochemistry” research groups, at the University of Chile.

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Jamie studies the impact of tectonics and climate on the landscape development of mountain belts. He utilizes low-temperature thermochronometry and ArcGIS DEM analyses to quantify the long-term exhumation and recent surface response generated by tectonic uplift and/or climatic forcing of orogens at active plate margins. He applies (U-Th)/He and fission track dating to bedrock samples to help identify the areal extent of thermal anomalies and time stamp when rocks were heated above closure temperature in geothermally active regions in the Patagonia.

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David Calisto is a geologist from University of Chile. David´s MS research is focused on understanding the processes of mineral precipitation in active and fossil geothermal systems in Chile.

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Martin Cerda is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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Agustin Valenzuela is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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Jorge Ibanez is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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Christopher Yáñez is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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María Eugenia Parra is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on her senior thesis.

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Nicolas Ayala is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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Daniel Austillo is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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Loreto Hernández is a geologist from University of Chile, who is working on her PhD.

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Franco Robbiano is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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Fabián Tapia is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis.

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Samanta Aravena is a geologist from University of Chile, working on her MS.

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Nicolas Avalos is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his MS.





Former Students

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Cristóbal Aracena is graduate student at University of Chile

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Alicia Zúñiga is graduate student at University of Chile, working on her senior thesis. Her research is focused on the acid salt pan in the Northern part of Chile, by looking at fluid inclusions and microorganism into sulfate and halite minerals. Now she is working in solving problems in the hydroworld.

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Bastián Muñoz is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis. His research is aimed to understand the evolution of fluids in the Chancón Mining District, with the main goal of estimate its potential as energy resource, and is study is focused on the analysis of fluid inclusions in opaque minerals by using an infrared camera.

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Aracely Ramírez is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on her senior thesis. Aracely works in the acid salt pans in the Northern part of Chile, by looking at fluid inclusions and microorganism into sulfate minerals.

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Juan Pablo Tapia is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, working on his senior thesis. His research is focused in the estimation of REEs concentrations into the fluid from pegmatites minerals, with applications in energy-related technologies.

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Juan Ignacio is an undergraduate student from University of Chile, working on his senior thesis. He is working on the epithermal system at Cerro Bayo, Aysén to understand the distribution of boiling events and mineralization.

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Andrés Gómez is a geologist from University of Chile. For his senior thesis, Andrés focused his study on the petrology of the Southernmost part of Chile, the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica. He has also worked in the application of geochemistry, surface mapping and study of drill cores for epithermal gold deposits exploration in the northern Andes of Chile. He is currently a Master Student and his research is focused on the understanding of the Alhué mining district through the study of the mineralizing fluids, which are thought to be responsible of mineralized veins with Au-Ag contents. As a hobby, he is very passionate about all nautical sports.

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Bernardita Alvear is a geologist from University of Chile. Bernardita´s research is focused on understanding the processes of mineral precipitation in active geothermal systems, such as Puchuldiza, Tolhuaca and Cerro Pabellón. She is looking at the different types of silica precipitation, textures and crystallization. She uses different analytical techniques, including SEM, LA-ICP-MS, XRD and FTIR. Bernardita is a Master student of the Andean Geothermal Centre of Excellence (CEGA). She likes riding a bike and doing crafts.

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Mariana Wong is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, who is working on her senior thesis.

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Nicolas Amengual is an undergraduate student at University of Chile, who is working on his senior thesis.

We are currently seeking MSc and PhD students for starting in the Fall semester of 2020. Interested students, please contact Daniel Moncada or Claudia Cannatelli directly,to discuss research projects and opportunities

Collaborators, friends and Research Links

Fluids Research Lab at Virginia Tech

Volker Lüders at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

World of Fluid Inclusions

University of Chile                           I                          Department of Geology

Research

MELT INCLUSIONS

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The pegmatites display aspects of both igneous and hydrothermal systems and have fascinated the geologist for the barren exotic minerals and inclusionist for the daughter minerals. In more recently years the “Great Element Hunt” have been mined on a small scale around the world. This research focuses on granite and pegmatite located in Aysén region, looking the REEs minerals and the technological applications.

NUMERICAL MODELING

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The evolution of the epithermal mineralization can be modeled if know the mineral speciation, mechanism of precipitation, volatiles dissolved in the aqueous phase using the software TOUGHREACT. This software can simulate the multiphase fluid flow (i.e., water, water vapor, CO2) and aqueous and gaseous species transport in fractured media that drives the formation of vein-filling

GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM

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Hot waters rise convectively in geothermal systems, they interact with the host rock removing some components such as silica and the interaction water rock creates mew mineral suite. Silica and carbonate phases in the geothermal systems often show highly variable and sometimes diagnostic textures. In this research we are looking growth zone of silica and carbonate phases using cathodoluminescence, and other analytical techniques. The result shows the complexity of these phases with deformation, dissolution, and healing are especially difficult to establish using standard techniques (e.g. petrographic microscope).

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The alteration in active geothermal areas into Maipo Valley is one of the least understood aspects. The gold of this study in characterized in time and space the distribution of the different alteration presents in that area.

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Geothermal fluids contain dissolved solids under conditions of elevated temperatures and pressure. The most common components present in geothermal systems are silica, calcium carbonate in some cases precious and base metals. In geothermal systems in the Andes there is little work related to geothermal fluids and associated mineral and their use for strategic mineral exploration. In our research, we focus on two active hydrothermal systems,the Irruputuncu and Olca volcanoes which are located between Chile and Bolivia

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Assessment of the geologic and geodynamic setting including the structural analysis focused primarily on geothermal targets Those features might be recorded on hydrothermal fluids in faults, fractures and folds because fluid pathways are critical for the productivity of reservoir and are commonly controlled by structuress.

EXPLORATION FOR MINERAL DEPOSITS

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Exploration for mineral deposits is an expensive and high-risk venture. Organizations that can evaluate prospects more quickly and inexpensively than its competitors and discriminate between prospects with high and low potential for economic mineralization will thus have a significant competitive advantage. Empirical models (that may or not be based on genetic models) are what drive successful exploration programs, and the successful explorationist is one who is able to recognize critical components of these models in outcrop and drill core samples.

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Recognizing the need for rapidfield-based analysis in orogenic gold deposits, in this study we are developing and building a portable fluid-inclusion crushing stage using a 3D printer. The crushing stage will be used to study the fluid inclusions in different host minerals (e.g. quartz, feldspar) in the exploration for Au-rich vein deposits in the metamorphic basement in Chile, especially in areas with limited or non-existent outcrop.

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Alhué mining district is located southwest of Santiago city within the Coastal Range of Central Chile and 24 kilometers east of the locality of Villa Alhué, and is characterize by numerous Au-Ag veins (more than 76) of hydrothermal origin with different thicknesses related to major and minor, normal and strike-slip faults with significant displacement and trending N25ºW trending

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Fluids from Chancón mining district located southwest of Santiago within the Coastal Range of Central Chile shows gold and base metal that in recent years a wide variety of “Rare Earth Metals”, including selenium, indium and tellurium, have found important applications in energy-related technologies such as advanced photovoltaic solar cells. These metals are produced commercially as a byproduct in the refining of porphyry copper and similar ores, and from selenium and tellurium-rich epithermal deposits.

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Numerous studies have documented the close association between boiling and mineralization in the epithermal environment. Located in the Chilean Patagonia, Cerro Bayo, Aysén preserves a low-sulfidation epithermal deposit showing different boiling events. Boiling Textural evidence of colloform-silica texture and bladed calcite replaced by quartz has been documented and the spatial distribution can provided vector toward to exploration.

FLUID INCLUSIONS IN SEDIMENTARY AND DIAGENETIC SYSTEMS

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Acid salars in the northern part of Chile creates an environment to study the evolution of microorganism trapped as a single homogeneous fluid into sulfate and halite minerals. Combining petrography of fluid inclusions assemblages (FIA), chemical and biological non-destructives methods might provide the time-lapse of growth crystals and type of microorganism.

Collaborators, friends and Research Links

Fluids Research Lab at Virginia Tech

Volker Lüders at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

World of Fluid Inclusions

University of Chile                           I                          Department of Geology

Publications

Book Chapters:

  • Bodnar, R. J., Lecumberri-Sanchez, P., Moncada, D. and Steele-MacInnis, M. (2014) Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal ore deposits. In Holland, H.D. and Turekian, K.K. (eds.), Treatise on Geochemistry, Second Edition, v. 13., pp. 119-142. Oxford: Elsevier.

    • Published/in press articles:


  • 25. Moncada, D., Rimstidt, J. D., and Bodnar, R. J., (2019) How to form a giant epithermal precious metal deposit: Relationships between fluid flow rate, metal concentration of ore-forming fluids, duration of the ore-forming process, and ore grade and tonnage. Ore Geology Reviews..

  • 24. Moncada, D., Baker, D., and Bodnar, R. J., (2017) Structural and fluid controls on epithermal Ag-Au mineralization in the La Luz area, Guanajuato Mining District, México, with applications to exploration. Ore Geology Reviews.89:143-70.

  • 23. Lamadrid, H. M., Moore, L. R., Moncada, D., Rimstidt, J. D., Burruss R. C., and Bodnar, R. J. (2017) Reassessment of the Raman CO2 densimeter. Chemical Geology 450: 210-222.

  • 22. Zamboni D., Trela J., Gazel E., Sobolev A.V., Cannatelli C., Lucchi F., Batanova V., De Vivo B. (2017) New insights into the Aeolian Islands and other arc source compositions from high-precision olivine chemistry. Lithos 272-273, 185-191.

  • 21. Redi D., Cannatelli C., Esposito R., Lima A., Petrosino P., De Vivo B. (2017) Somma-Vesuvius’activity: a mineral chemistry database. Mineralogy and Petrology 111, 43-67.

  • 20. Vidal, C. P., Guido, D. M., Jovic, S. M., Bodnar, R. J., Moncada, D., Melgarejo, J. C., and Hames, W. (2016) The Marianas–San Marcos vein system: characteristics of a shallow low sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag deposit in the Cerro Negro district, Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina: Mineralium Deposita, Volume 51, Issue 6, pp 725–748.

  • 19. Chinchilla, D., Ortega, L., Piña, R., Merinero, R., Moncada, D., Bodnar, R. J., Quesada, C., and Lunar, R. (2016) The Patricia Zn-Pb-Ag epithermal ore deposit: an uncommon type of mineralization at the northern end of the Late Eocene–Oligocene metallogenic belt in Chile. Ore Geology Reviews 73, Part 1: 104-126.

  • 18. Esposito R., Lamadrid H.R., Redi D., Steele-MacInnis M., Bodnar R.J., Manning C.E., De Vivo B., Cannatelli C., and Lima A. (2016) Detection of liquid H2O in vapor bubbles in reheated melt inclusions: implications for magmatic fluid composition and volatile budgets of magmas? American Mineralogist 101, 1691-1695.

  • 17. Cannatelli C., Doherty A.L., Esposito R., Lima A., De Vivo B. (2016) Understanding a volcano through a droplet: a melt inclusion approach. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 171, 4-19.

  • 16. Zamboni D., Gazel E., Ryan J.G, Cannatelli C., Lucchi F., Atlas Z.D., Trela J., Mazza S.E., De Vivo B. (2016) Contrasting sediment melt and fluid signatures for magma components in the Aeolian Arc: Implications for numerical modeling of subduction systems. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 17, 2034-2053 .

  • 15. Belkin H.E., Rolandi G., Jackson J.C., Cannatelli C., Doherty A.L., Petrosino P., De Vivo B. (2016) Mineralogy and geochemistry of the older (> 40 ka) ignimbrites on the Campanian Plain, southern Italy. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 323, 1-18

  • 14. Doherty A.L., Cannatelli C., Raia F., Belkin H.E., Albanese S., Lima A. and De Vivo B. (2015) “Geochemistry of selected lavas of the Panarea Volcanic Group, Aeolian Arc, Italy”. Mineralogy and Petrology 109(5), 597-610.

  • 13. Cannatelli C. (2015) “Bubbles do matter!”. American Mineralogist 100(7), 1335-1336.

  • 12. Moncada, D., De Pascaleand, G., Reich, M., Barra, F., and Morata, D. Bodnar, R.J. (2012) Fluids in the Alhué gold mining district, Chile. Congreso Geológico Chileno 2, 98-101

  • 11. Moncada, D and Bodnar, R.J. (2015) Exploration for precious metal mineralization in the Guanajuato mining district, Mexico using petrography and fluid inclusions. Congreso Geológico Chileno 2, 94-97

  • 10. Bodnar R.J., Azbej T., Becker S.P., Cannatelli C., Fall A., Severs M.J. (2013) “Whole Earth geohydrologic cycle, from the clouds to the core: The distribution of water in the dynamic Earth system”. In Bickford M.E., ed., The Web of Geological Sciences: Advances, Impacts, and Interactions: Geological Society of America Special Paper 500, 431–461

  • 9. Esposito, R., Bodnar R. J., Klebesz, R., Bartoli, O., Klyukin, Y., Moncada D., and Doherty A. (2012) Application of the Linkam TS1400 XY heating stage to melt inclusion studies. Central European Journal of Geosciences, 4(2): 208-218.

  • 8. Moncada, D and Bodnar, R.J. (2012) Mineral textures and fluid inclusion characteristics of the Santa Margarita Vein in the Guanajuato Mining District, México. Central European Journal of Geosciences, 4 (2): 300-309.

  • 7. Cannatelli C. (2012) “Multi-stage metasomatism in the lithosphere beneath the Veneto Volcanic Province (northern Italy)”. Mineralogy and Petrology 104, 177-195.

  • 6. Cannatelli C. (2012) “Understanding magma evolution at Campi Flegrei (Campania, Italy) volcanic complex using melt inclusions and phase equilibria”. Mineralogy and Petrology 104, 29-42.

  • 5. Moncada, D., Mutchler, S., Nieto, A., Reynolds, T. J., Rimstidt, J.D., and Bodnar, J.R. (2011) Characteristics and Distribution of Mineral Textures and Fluid Inclusions in the Epithermal Ag-Au Deposits at Guanajuato, México. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 114, 20-35.

  • 4. Lima A., De Vivo B., Spera F. J., Bodnar R.J., Milia A., Belkin H.E., Cannatelli C., (2009) “Thermodynamic model for uplift and deflation episodes (bradyseism) associated with magmatic–hydrothermal activity at the Campi Flegrei (Italy)”. Earth-Science Reviews 97, 44-58.

  • 3. Cannatelli C., Lima A., Bodnar R.J., De Vivo B., Webster J.D., (2007) Geochemistry of melt inclusions from the Fondo Riccio and Minopoli 1 eruptions at Campi Flegrei (Italy). Chemical Geology 237(3-4), 418-432.

  • 2. Bodnar R.J., Cannatelli C., De Vivo B., Lima A., Belkin H.E., Milia A. (2007) Quantitative model for magma degassing and ground deformation (bradyseism) at Campi Flegrei, Italy: Implications for future eruptions. Geology 35(9), 791–794.

  • 1. Cannatelli C. (2007) “Geochemical Study of Campi Flegrei Eruptive Products (Fondo Riccio and Minopoli 1) by microthermometry and microanalysis of melt inclusions”. Plinius 33, 62-67


    • Honor Thesis


  • 12. Hess Albornoz, J. E. (2019) Documento sobre inclusiones fluidas VIII: Estudio de inclusiones fluidas para exploración de metales preciosos en veta Don Leopoldo, Distrito minero de Alhué. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 11. Maldonado Cornejo, M.H. (2019) Documento sobre inclusiones fluidas VII: Petrografía y texturas minerales en la exploración de la veta Pataguas en el Distrito Minero de Alhué, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 10. Zúñiga Bilbao, A. I. (2019) Exploración geológica del Proyecto Becker, Región del Maule, Chile. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 9. Aravena González, C. S. (2019) Inclusiones vítreas en Condritos Carbonáceos del Desierto de Atacama, Región de Antofagasta, Chile. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 8. Amengual Mondaca, N.A. (2019) Una reconstrucción aproximada de los procesos iniciales que dieron origen a los primeros cuerpos celestes. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 7. Avalos Sotomayor N. I. (2019) Documentos sobre inclusiones fluidas VI: Exploración para depósitos pórfido cuprífero basada en petrografía de inclusiones fluidas. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 6. Chinchón, E. J. (2018) Documentos sobre inclusiones fluidas V: Caracterización petrográfica y textural del distrito epitermal de Cerro Bayo, XI Región, Chile. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 5. Ramirez, A. (2017) Documentos sobre inclusiones fluidas IV; Fluidos que fueron atrapados con microorganismos en el norte de chile, región de Atacama, Chile. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl


  • 4. Tapia, J.P. (2017) Documentos sobre inclusiones fluidas III: Búsqueda de elementos estratégicos en pegmatitas de Puyuhuapi, Región de Aysén. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/146767


  • 3. Muñoz, B. (2017) Documentos sobre inclusiones fluidas II: Caracterización de fluidos asociados a elementos críticos de la veta Leona en el distrito minero de Chancón, VI región, Chile. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/146753


  • 2. Aracena Novoa, C. (2016) Geoquímica del sistema magmático de Copahue a través de inclusiones vítreas. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/143342


  • 1. Zúñiga Jaramillo, A. (2016) Documentos sobre inclusiones fluidas I; fluidos que fueron atrapados con microorganismos en yeso de salares chilenos. Disponible en http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/143141

    • Patent


  • 1. Mini Stage No. 201603428

    • Press


  • 1. Moncada, D. and Bodnar, R. J. (2017) Aplicación de inclusiones fluidas en la exploración de metales preciosos. Horizonte Minero. N119


    • University of Chile                               I                              Department of Geology

    Facilities

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    Analog IR camera to 2200nm with computer interface, Digital color camera with IR monochrome capabilities to 1000nm

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    Linkam THMSG600 heating-cooling stage complete with digital software package

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    Linkam TS 1400XY high temperature stage with digital software package

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    USGS cooling/heating stage

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    Lab-RAM

    High spatial and spectral resolutions

    Allowing the determination of crystallinity, polymorphism, strain and other band analysis.

    From UV to NIR

    AAllowing detailed sample characterization from many varied materials.

    Ultra-fast confocal imaging

    DuoScan™ - high precision, ultra-fast rastering mirrors creating variable sized laser macro-spots, allowing nano-step mapping.

    Ultra-Low Frequency Module

    Allows additional sample characterization to be made in a spectral region rarely available with other basic spectrometers.

    University of Chile                               I                              Department of Geology

    Contact

    Address

    Departamento de Geología
    Facultad de Cs. Fís. y Matem.
    Universidad de Chile
    Plaza Ercilla 803, Santiago, Chile
    Telephone:
    +56-2-29784116 Claudia Cannatelli
    +56-2-29784118 Daniel Moncada
    Fax: +56-2-26963050

    Opportunities

    We are currently seeking MSc and PhD students for starting in the Fall semester of 2020. Interested students, please contact Daniel Moncada or Claudia Cannatelli directly,to discuss research projects and opportunities

    Sample preparation: “quick plates” and polished sections, and mineral mounts








    University of Chile                                                                           Department of Geology