What do you do?
I study the processes that create the oceanic crust which covers 60% of the Earth's surface. The crust forms from the complex interaction of volcanic, tectonic and hydrothermal processes. I use geophysical techniques (seismology, gravity and magnetic measurements) to study this interaction.

Why should the general public be interested in what you do?
Ultimately the way the Earth works controls civilization's advance. Understanding how the Earth works, even in a remote ocean basin helps us plan for its activity such as earthquakes, volcanos, and its weather.

Why does it interest you?
The Earth is a dynamic place, that can change in spectacular, sometimes destructive ways. It is these changes, such as volcanic eruptions, that interest me.

What major advances/discoveries have occurred in your research field over the last 10 years?
The major advance in the study of mid-ocean ridges over the last ten years has been the realization that geological processes influence the ocean's physical, chemical and biological activity, and vice-versa. You cannot separate any of these fields and hope to understand them.