Volcanology, volcanic eruption processes, magmatic processes, experimental petrology, volatiles in magmas, degassing of volatiles from magmas, control of degassing behavior on volcanic eruptions and formation of ore bodies
Dr. Gardner's research focuses on the physical and chemical aspects of volcanic eruptions and magmatic processes. One facet of research involves studying active volcanic centers, including volcanoes in the USA, Mexico, Kamchatka, and many other countries, and their volcanic deposits in order to better understand eruption processes and long-term eruptive behavior. Most recently, this research has focused on understanding the dynamics of caldera-forming eruptions.
Dr. Gardner's second area of research utilizes experimental petrology to determine the pre-eruption contents of volatiles in magmas, the degassing of those volatiles from magmas, and the control of the degassing behavior on volcanic eruptions and formation of ore bodies. Most recently, his experimental petrologic work has focused on the solubility of multi-component volatiles in silicate melts and the nucleation and growth of bubbles from melts.