The research interests of my research group FoaLab are centred around the dynamics of fluid–solid systems with chemical, mechanical and thermodynamic interactions between phases. In particular: applications to geophysical systems; pattern formation in two-phase systems; fluid focusing and localization; shear and reactive instability in partially molten materials; plate boundary volcanism; reactive flow of magma and hydrous fluids through the mantle; geochemical predictions and comparison with geochemical observations; ice-sheets and sub-glacial hydrology; the integration of large-scale computation, analytical theory, and laboratory fluid dynamics experiments.
My teaching includes: Intro to Physical Thermodynamics (1st year), Problem solving in Earth Sciences with Matlab (2nd year), Geodynamics & Continental Deformation (3rd year), and Seminar in Mantle Dynamics, Seismology and Rheology (4th year).
View Selected Publications
Lichtenberg, T., T. Keller, R.F. Katz, G. Golabek and T. Gerya (2019). Magma ascent in planetesimals: control by grain size. EPSL. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2018.11.034.
Bo, T., R.F. Katz, O. Shorttle and J.F. Rudge (2018). The melting column as a filter of mantle trace-element heterogeneity. G-Cubed. doi: 10.1029/2018GC007880.
Rees Jones, D., R.F. Katz, J.F. Rudge and M. Tian (2018). Thermal impact of magmatism in subduction zones. EPSL. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.10.015.
Turner, A.J., R.F. Katz, M.D. Behn and T. Keller (2017). Magmatic focusing to mid-ocean ridges: the role of grain size variability and non-Newtonian viscosity. G-cubed. doi: 10.1002/2017GC007048.
Keller T., R.F. Katz and M.M. Hirschmann (2017). Volatiles beneath mid-ocean ridges: Deep melting, channelised transport, focusing, and metasomatism. EPSL. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.02.006.
Turner S., C. Langmuir, R.F. Katz, M.A. Dungan and S. Escrig, (2016) Parental arc magma compositions dominantly controlled by mantle-wedge thermal structure. Nature Geoscience. doi: 10.1038/ngeo2788.
Keller T. and R.F. Katz, (2016) The Role of Volatiles in Reactive Melt Transport in the Asthenosphere. J. Petrology. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egw030.
Huybers, P., C. Langmuir, R.F. Katz, D. Ferguson, C. Proistosescu and S. Carbotte. (2016) Comment on “Sensitivity of seafloor bathymetry to climate-driven fluctuations in mid-ocean ridge magma supply”. Technical comment, Science. doi: 10.1126/science.aae0451 (Olive et al. reply)
Alisic L., S. Rhebergen, J.F. Rudge, R.F. Katz, and G.N. Wells. (2016) Torsion of a cylinder of partially molten rock with a spherical inclusion: theory and simulation. Geochem. Geophys. Geosys., doi: 10.1002/2015GC006061.
Weatherley S. and R.F. Katz. (2016) Melt transport rates in heterogeneous mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2015.09.029.
Takei Y. and R.F. Katz, Consequences of viscous anisotropy in a deforming, two-phase aggregate. Why is porosity-band angle lowered by viscous anisotropy? J Fluid Mech. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2015.592.
Qi C., D. Kohlstedt, R.F. Katz, and Y. Takei. (2015) An experimental test of the viscous anisotropy hypothesis for partially molten rocks. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1513790112.
Crowley J.W., R.F. Katz, P. Huybers, C.H. Langmuir, and S-H. Park. (2015) Glacial cycles drive variations in the production of oceanic crust. Science. doi: 10.1126/science.1261508. (comment/reply)
Weatherley S. and R.F. Katz. (2015) Melt transport rates in heterogeneous mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2015.09.029.
Taylor-West J. and R.F. Katz (2015). Melt-preferred orientation, anisotropic permeability, and melt-band formation in a deforming, partially molten aggregate. Geophys. J. Int. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggv372.
Kyrke-Smith T., R.F. Katz and A. Fowler. (2015) Subglacial hydrology as a control on emergence, scale, and spacing of ice streams. JGR Earth Surface. doi: 10.1002/2015JF003505.
Rhebergen S., G.N. Wells, A.J. Wathen, and R.F. Katz. (2015) Three-Field Block Preconditioners for Models of Coupled Magma/Mantle Dynamics. SIAM J. Sci. Comp. doi: 10.1137/14099718X.
Hooker J.N. and R.F. Katz. (2015) Vein spacing in extending, layered rock: the effect of synkinematic cementation. American Journal of Science. doi: 10.2475/06.2015.03.
Burley J. and R.F. Katz. (2015) Variations in mid-ocean ridge CO2 emissions driven by glacial cycles. EPSL. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2015.06.031.
Turner A., R.F. Katz and M.D. Behn. (2015) Grain-size dynamics beneath mid-ocean ridges: Implications for permeability and melt extraction. Geochem. Geophys. Geosys. doi: 10.1002/2014GC005692.
Lacey A.A., M.G. Hennessy, P. Harvey and R.F. Katz (2015) Mathematical Modelling of Tyndall Star Initiation. European Journal of Applied Mathematics. doi: 10.1017/S095679251500042X.
Allwright J. and R.F. Katz (2014) Pipe Poiseuille flow of viscously anisotropic, partially molten rock. Geophysical Journal International. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggu345.
Kyrke-Smith T. and A.C. Fowler (2014) Subglacial swamps. Proceedings of the Royal Society A. doi: 10.1098/rspa.2014.0340.
Rhebergen S., G. Wells, R.F. Katz, and A. Wathen (2014) Analysis of block preconditioners for models of coupled magma/mantle dynamics. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing. doi: 10.1137/130946678.
Alisic L., J.F. Rudge, R.F. Katz, G. Wells and S. Rhebergen (2014) Compaction around a rigid, circular inclusion in partially molten rock. Journal of Geophysical Research—Solid Earth. doi: 10.1002/2013JB010906.
Kyrke-Smith T., R.F. Katz, and A.C. Fowler (2014) Subglacial hydrology and the formation of ice streams. Proceedings of the Royal Society A. doi: 10.1098/rspa.2013.0494.
Takei Y. and R.F. Katz (2013) Consequences of viscous anisotropy in a deforming, two-phase aggregate: 1. Governing equations and linearised analysis. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2013.482.
Katz R.F. and Y. Takei (2013) Consequences of viscous anisotropy in a deforming, two-phase aggregate: 2. Numerical solutions of the full equations. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2013.483.
Kyrke-Smith, T.M. and R.F. Katz and A.C. Fowler (2013) Stress balances of ice streams in a vertically integrated, higher-order formulation. J Glaciology. doi: 10.3189/2013JoG12J140.
Katz, R.F. and S.M. Weatherley (2012) Consequences of mantle heterogeneity for melt extraction at mid-ocean ridges. EPSL. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2012.04.042.
Weatherley, S.M. and R.F. Katz (2012) Melting and channelized magmatic flow in chemically heterogeneous, upwelling mantle. Geochem. Geophys. Geosys. doi: 10.1029/2011GC003989.
Katz, R.F. and J.F. Rudge (2011) The energetics of melting fertile heterogeneities within the depleted mantle. Geochem. Geophys. Geosys. doi: 10.1029/2011GC003834.
England, P.C. and R.F. Katz, (2010) Dry melting and thermal advection in the mantle wedge control the location of volcanic arcs. Nature, doi: 10.1038/nature09417.
England, P.C. and R.F. Katz, (2010) Brief Communication Arising: Global systematics of arc volcano position. Nature, doi: 10.1038/nature09154.
Katz, R.F. (2010) Porosity-driven convection and asymmetry beneath mid-ocean ridges. Geochem. Geophys. Geosys., doi: 10.1029/2010GC003282.
Weatherley, S. and R.F. Katz, (2010) Plate-driven dynamics and global patterns of mid-ocean ridge bathymetry. Geochem. Geophys. Geosys., doi: 10.1029/2010GC003192.
Katz, R.F. and M.G. Worster. (2010) Stability of ice-sheet grounding lines. Proc. Roy. Soc. A, doi: 10.1098/rspa.2009.0434.