Research interests

• Application of isotope and trace element geochemistry to understanding the solid earth geochemical cycle
• Stable isotopic variation of the transition metals
• Fractionation of stable isotopes in magmas and high temperature aqueous fluids
• Tephrochronology and the origins of the calc-alkaline igneous series

I am also interested in plasma-based mass spectrometry and its application to problems traditionally difficult to address with thermal ionization techniques.

Current projects

I am working on Sr and U series analyses for Hanford vadose zone projects. John Christensen and I are also actively working to establish and refine chemical separation and analytical techniques for Cr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf and Ti isotopes at the Berkeley lab.

Education

• M.S. Geology University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) (expected August 2006)
  Thesis title: Along strike Lead, Neodymium and Hafnium variability in the Aleutian arc: Implications for island arc source components and subduction zone magma genesis
• B.S. Geology (honors) Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA) 2003
  Thesis title: Holocene tephrochronology at Korovin Volcano, Central Aleutian Islands, USA

Recent publications and abstracts

Gerseny, M.G., Vervoort, J.D., Brown, S.T., Yogodzinski, G.M., (In Prep) “Subducted Sediment Controls Over the Isotopic Compositions of Aleutian Lavas”

Brown, S.T., Yogodzinski, G.M., Vervoort, J.D., Gerseny, M.G., (In Prep) Hf and Nd Isotopic Evidence Bearing on the Origin of Hf Depletions in Aleutian Lavas"

Brown, S.T., Yogodzinski, G.M., Vervoort, J.D., Gerseny, M.G., (2005) “Hafnium in Aleutian lavas: Isotopic and trace element evidence for slab melting” Eos Trans. AGU, 86(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract V34A-07

Brown, S.T., Yogodzinski, G.M., Gerseny, M.G., Vervoort, J.D. (2005) “Slab contributions in the Aleutian arc: a Hf isotopic perspective” 15th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Moscow, Idaho.

Gerseny, M.G., Vervoort, J.D., Brown, S.T., Yogodzinski, G.M., (2005) “Along strike Hf-Nd-Pb isotope systematics in the Aleutians” 15th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Moscow, Idaho.

Brown, S.T., Yogodzinski, G.M., Edwards, B.R., Bryant, J.A. (2003) Characterization of Holocene tephra deposits at Korovin Volcano, Atka Island, central Aleutians, USA Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 37 p. 7

Curriculum Vitae
(pdf download 84kb)

Shaun T. Brown

Senior Research Associate

Center for Isotope Geochemistry

Geochemistry Department

Phone: 510/486-5241
Fax: 510/486-5496
Email stbrown@lbl.gov