James K. Muller, PhD

Hi, I'm James! I'm a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Emily Chin at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.

My academic research interests are rooted in answering a few basic questions about volcanoes that are, ultimately, motivated by reducing volcanic risk:

What melts to form magmas, and what causes this melting?
Why do volcanoes form where they do?
How do volcanoes behave when erupting, and why do they behave that way?

To tackle these problems, I use a combination of observations, data, and modeling. This generally involves terrestrial and sea-going fieldwork to collect samples. I then analyze these rocks and minerals in the lab using techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and mass spectrometry (solution and laser ablation ICPMS). I'll also use tools like thermodynamic modeling software (e.g., Perple_X ) and Python to recreate real rocks with computers.

In addition to my time in academia, I have previously worked in the environmental industry in CT, NY, and CA.

CV

A PDF of my CV is available for download here.

Education

Ph.D. (2025), Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

Advisor: Emily J. Chin

Dissertation: "When magmas break the rules: Origins of tectonically enigmatic oceanic and terrestrial volcanism"
A.M. (2019) Harvard University

Advisor: Charles H. Langmuir
M.A. (2016) Queens College, City University of New York

Advisor: Marc-Antoine Longpré

Thesis: “Tephrostratigraphy of the AD 1730–1736 Timanfaya eruption, Lanzarote, Canary Islands: Insights to the dynamics of large basaltic fissure eruptions”
B.A. (2013) Pomona College

Advisors: Jade Star Lackey, Richard W. Hazlett

Thesis: "Age and origin of the Malapai Hill Basalt, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, USA"
Field camp (2012) Frontiers Abroad, University of Canterbury, NZL

Publications

Muller, J.K., Chin, E.J. (in review) Young, enigmatic lavas from a fossil slab remnant beneath Baja California, Mexico. Geology.
Durkin, K., Castillo, P.R., Straub, S.M., Mallick, S., Saal, A. and Muller, J.K. (in press) Widespread contamination of the Pacific upper mantle during the mid-Cretaceous. Marine Geology, p.107460, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2024.107460.
Muller, J.K., Longpré, M.-A. (2024) Tephra dispersal and composition reveal the explosive onset of a large basaltic fissure eruption: Timanfaya, Lanzarote, 1730–1736 CE. Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 86, n. 38, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-024-01729-5.

Contact

You can find me in person or online at the following addresses:

PHYSICAL ADDRESS
James K. Muller
Sverdrup Hall 3139
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093-0212 USA
MAILING ADDRESS
James K. Muller
7835 Trade St., Suite 100
ATTN: Sverdrup Hall 3139
San Diego, CA 92121 USA
EMAIL/WEB
- jkmuller@ucsd.edu
- jkmgeo.github.io