Dr. Kenneth W. Sims

Education

Ph.D., Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of California, Berkeley, 1995
M.Sc., Institute of Meteoritics, Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, 1989
B.A., Colorado College, Cum Laude, with Honors in Geology, 1986

Courses taught

• Geol 1100: Physical Geology
• Geol 5050-1: Introduction to Isotope Geology
• Geol 4200/5200: Genesis, Impact and Predictability of Yellowstone Volcanic Systems
• Geol 4200/5200: Basin and Range Volcanism
• Geol 4200/5200: Planetary Volcanology
• Geol 4200/5200: Ocean Tectonics
• Geol 4490: Geochemistry

Current Graduate Students

• Caroline Lo Re’ Brewer, PhD Candidate
• Sean Scott, PhD Student
• Erin Phillips-Writer, PhD Candidate

research interest

Application of U-series disequilibria, radiogenic isotope geochemistry, major- and trace- element geochemistry and the principles of physics and chemistry to a variety of fundamental problems in Earth and planetary sciences, including: accretionary and core-formation history and processes in planets; the origin and evolution of the Earth's mantle and continental crust; the generation and transport of basaltic magma; the development and evolution of volcanic systems; magma degassing; volcanic hazard assessment; radiometric methods for dating igneous and sedimentary rocks; geo-archeology; and, isotope hydrology.

Resent Publications

48) Sims, KWW, S. Pichat, M. K. Reagan, P. R. Kyle, H. Dulaiova, N. Dunbar, J. Prytulak, G. Sawyer, G. Layne, J. Blichert-Toft, P.J.Gauthier, M.A. Charrette , T. R. Elliott.  (2012) On the timescales of magma genesis, melt evolution, crystal growth rates and magma degassing in the Erebus volcano magmatic system using the 238U, 235U- and 232Th-decay series, Journal of Petrology 2012; doi: 10.1093/petrology/egs068 

47) Dulaiova, H., K. W. W. Sims, and M.A. Charette, A new method for the determination of low-level actinium-227 in geological samples, (Journal of RadioAnalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 10.1007/s10967-012-2140-0) 

46) Garrison, J. M., M. K. Reagan, and K. W. W. Sims  (2012) Dacite formation at Ilopango Caldera, El Salvador: U-series disequilibrium and implications for petrogenetic processes and magma storage time, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 13, doi:10.1029/2012GC004107. 

45) Mather, T.A., M.L.I. Witt, D.M. Pyle, B.M. Quayle, A. Aiuppa, E. Bagnato, R.S. Martin, K.W.W. Sims, M. Edmonds, A.J. Sutton and E. Ilyinskaya (2012)  “Halogens, mercury and other trace metal emissions from the 2008 summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii”, Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, 83, 292-323. 

44) *L.J. Elkins, K. W.W. Sims, J. Prytulak, T. Elliott, N. Mattielli, J. Blichert-Toft, J. Blusztajn, C. Devey, D. Mertz, J.-G. Schilling, M. Murrell (2011) "Understanding melt generation beneath the slow-spreading Kolbeinsey Ridge using 238U, 230Th, and 231Pa excesses"  Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Volume 75, Issue 21, 1 November 2011, Pages 6300-6329; doi:10.1016/j.gca.2011.08.020  

43) *Head, E. M., A. M. Shaw, P. J. Wallace, K. W.W. Sims, and S. A. Carn (2011), Insight into volatile behavior at Nyamuragira volcano (D.R. Congo, Africa) through olivine-hosted melt inclusions, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 12, Q0AB11, doi:10.1029/2011GC003699. 

42) *Owens, SA., K.O. Buesseler, K. W.W. Sims (2011) "Re-evaluating the 238U-salinity relationship in seawater: Implications for the 238U-234Th disequilibrium method." Marine Chemistry Volume 127, Issues 1-4, 20, Pages 31-39; doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2011.07.005 

41) *Waters, C.L., K. W.W. Sims, M. R. Perfit, J. Blichert-Toft, and J. Blusztajn (2011) "Linking volcanic resurfacing and magmatic cycling: evidence from isotopically enriched basalts at 9-10ºN East Pacific Rise." J. Petrology (2011) 52 (3): 565-602 doi:10.1093/petrology/egq091 

40) *Standish, J.J. and K. W.W. Sims (2010). "Young Volcanism and Rift Valley Construction at an Ultraslow Spreading Ridge." Nature Geoscience, 3, 4, 286-292.DOI: 10.1038/NGEO824 

39) *Aciego, S.M., F. Jourdan, D.J. DePaolo, B.M. Kennedy, P.R. Renne, and K. W. W. Sims (2010). Combined U-Th/He and 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of Post-shield Lavas from the Mauna Kea and Kohala volcanoes, Hawaii. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, 74, 1620-1635. 

38) Cooper, K. M., J. M. Eiler, K.W.W. Sims, C. H. Langmuir (2009). Distribution of recycled crust within the upper mantle: Insights from the oxygen isotope composition of MORB from the Australian-Antarctic Discordance. Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems, 10, 12, Q12004; doi:10.1029/2009GC002728 

37) *Chakrabarti, R., K.W.W. Sims; A.R Basu; Mark Reagan; and J. Durieux (2009). Timescales of Magmatic Processes and Eruption Ages of the Nyiragongo volcanics from 238U -230Th-226Ra-210Pb disequilibria. Earth Planet Sci. Lett. 288, 149ˆ157 doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2009.09.017 

36) *Kelly, P.J., P.R. Kyle, N.W. Dunbar, and K.W.W. Sims (2008). "Geochemistry and mineralogy of the phonolite lava lake, Mount Erebus volcano, Antarctica: 1972–2004 and comparison with older lavas." Invited article to special volume on Mt Erebus in Journal of Volcan. Geothermal Res.177, 589-605. 

35) Sims, K.W.W., J. Blichert-Toft, P.R. Kyle, S. Pichat, J. Bluzstajn, P.J. Kelly, L.A. Ball, and G. D. Layne (2008). "A Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotope perspective on the genesis and long-term evolution of alkaline magmas from Erebus volcano, Antarctica." Invited article to special volume on Mt Erebus in Journal of Volcan. Geothermal Res.177, 606-618. 

34) Reagan, M.K., S. Turner, M.K. Legg, K.W.W. Sims and V.L. Hards (2008). "238U and 232Th decay series constraints on the timescales of crystal fractionation to produce the phonolite erupted in 2004 near Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic." Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 72, 17, 4367-4378. 

33) Sims, K.W.W., S.R. Hart, M.K. Reagan, J. Blusztajn, H. Staudigel, R.A. Sohn, G.D. Layne, L.A. Ball and J. Andrews (2008). "238U-230Th-226Ra-210Pb-210Po, 232Th-228Ra and 235U-231Pa constraints on the ages and petrogenesis of Vailulu and Malumalu Lavas, Samoa." Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems, 9, Q04003, doi:10.1029/2007GC001651 

32) Sims, K.W.W., J. Gill, A. Dossetto, D. Hoffmann, C.C. Lundstom, R. Williams, L.A. Ball, D. Tollstrup, S.P. Turner, J. Prytulak, J. Glessner, J.J. Standish, and T. Elliott (2008). "An inter-laboratory assessment of the Th Isotopic Composition of Synthetic and Rock standards." Geostandards and Analytical Research, 32, 1, 65-91. 

31) Elkins, L., G.A. Gaetani, and K.W.W. Sims (2008). "Partitioning of U and Th during garnet pyroxenite melting: constraints on sources of alkaline ocean island basalts." Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 265, 270-286, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2007.10.034. 

30) Ball, L.A., K.W.W. Sims, and J. Schwieters (2008). "Measurement of 234U/238U and 230Th/232Th in volcanic rocks using the Neptune PIMMS." Journal Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 23, 173-180. doi: 10.1039/b703193a 

29) Turner, S.P., K.W.W. Sims, and M.K. Reagan (2007). "A 210Pb-226Ra-230Th-238U study of Klyuchevskoy and Bezymianny volcanoes, Kamchatka." Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, 71, 4771-4785. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2007.08.006. 

28) Giammanco, K.W.W. Sims and S., M. Neri (2007). "Shallow rock stresses and gas transport at Mt. Etna (Italy) monitored through 220Rn, 222Rn and soil CO2 emissions in soil and fumaroles." Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems, 8, Q10001, doi:1029/2007GC00164 

27) Moune, S., F. Faure, P.-J. Gauthier, and K.W.W. Sims (2007). Pele's hairs and tears: natural probe of volcanic plume. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 164, 244-253, doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.05.07.  

26) Sims, K.W.W., R.P. Ackert, Jr., F. Ramos, R.A. Sohn, M.T. Murrell, and D.J. DePaolo (2007). Determining eruption ages and erosion rates of Quaternary basaltic volcanism from combined U-series disequilibria and cosmogenic exposure ages. Geology, vol 35, pp 471-474, doi:10.1130/G23381A.1. 

25) Aciego, S.M., D.J. DePaolo, B.M. Kennedy, M.P. Lamb, K.W.W. Sims, and W. Dietrich (2007). Combining [3He] cosmogenic dating with U-Th/He eruption ages using olivine in basalt. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol 254, number 3-4, pp 288-302, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2006.11.039. 

24) Sims, K.W.W. and S. R. Hart (2006). Comparison of Th, Sr, Nd and Pb Isotopes in Oceanic Basalts: Implications for Mantle Heterogeneity and Magma Genesis. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol 245, pp 743-761, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2006.02.030. 

23) Sohn, R.A. and K.W.W. Sims (2005). Bending as a mechanism for triggering off-axis volcanism on the East Pacific Rise. Geology, vol 33, number 2, 93-96, doi: 10.1130/G21116.1. 

22) Pichat, S., K.W.W. Sims, R. François, J.F. McManus, S. Brown-Legger, and F. Albarède (2004). Lower export production during glacial periods in the equatorial Pacific as derived from (231Pa/230Th)measurements in deep-sea sediments. Paleoceanography, vol 19, PA 4023. 

21) Drakos, P., K.W.W Sims, J. Riesterer, J. Blusztajn, and J. Lazarus (2004). Chemical and Isotopic Constraints On Source-Waters and Connectivity Of Basin-Fill Aquifers in the Southern San Luis Basin, New Mexico. Invited, peer reviewed article for New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook, Geology ofthe Taos Region, pp 405-414. 

20) Frank J. Tepley, III, C.C. Lundstrom, K.W.W. Sims, and R. Hékinian (2004).  U-series Disequilibria in MORB From the Garrett Transform and Implications for Mantle Melting.  Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol 223, number 1-2, pp 79-97. 

19) Sims, K.W.W., J. Blichert-Toft, D.J. Fornari, M.R. Perfit, S.J. Goldstein, P. Johnson, D.J. DePaolo, and P. Michaels (2003).  Aberrant Youth: Chemical and isotopic constraints on the young off-axis lavas of the East Pacific Rise.  Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, vol 4, number 10, p 8621, doi:10.1029/2002GC000443. 

18) Reagan, M.K., K.W.W. Sims, J. Enrich, R.B. Thomas, H. Cheng, R.L. Edwards, G.D. Layne, and L.A. Ball (2003). Old rhyolite progeny from young mafic parents in North American continental arcs. Journal of Petrology, vol 44, number 9, pp 1703-1726. 

17) Bourdon, B. and K.W.W. Sims (2003). U-series constraints on intraplate magmatism.In Uranium Series Geochemistry, eds. B. Bourdon, G.M. Henderson, C.C. Lundstrom and S.P. Turner; Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, vol 52, pp 215-253. 

16) Cooper, K., S.J. Goldstein, K.W.W. Sims, and M.T. Murrell (2003). Uranium-Series Chronology of Gorda Ridge Volcanism: New evidence from the 1996 Eruption. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol 206, number 3, pp 459-475, doi:10.1016/S0012-821X(02)01083-X. 

15) Jull, M., P. Kelemen, and K.W.W. Sims (2002). Melt migration and uranium series disequilibria: the combined effect of porous and conduit flow. Geochimimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol 66, number 23, pp 4133-4148. 

14) Sims, K.W.W., S.J. Goldstein, J. Blichert-Toft, M.R. Perfit, P. Kelemen, D.J. Fornari, P. Michael, M.T. Murrell, S.R. Hart, D.J. DePaolo, G.D. Layne, and M. Jull (2002). Chemical and isotopic constraints on the generation and transport of melt beneath the East Pacific Rise. Geochimimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol 66, number 19, pp 3481-3504, doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(02)00909-2. 

13) Choi, M.S., R. François, K.W.W. Sims, M.P. Bacon, S. Legger-Brown, A.P. Fleer, L.A. Ball, D. Schneider and S. Pichat (2001). Rapid determination of 230Th and 231Pa in seawater by Inductively coupledplasma mass spectrometry. Marine Chemistry, vol 76, pp 99-112. 

12) Layne, G.D. and K.W.W. Sims (2000). Analysis of 232Th/230Th in volcanic rocks by Secondary Ionization Mass Spectrometry.International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, vol 203, number 1-3, pp 187-198. 

11) Hart, S.R., H. Staudigel, A.A.P. Koppers, J. Blusztajn, E.T Baker, R. Workman, M. Jackson, E. Hauri, K.W.W. Sims, D.J. Fornari, A. Saal and S. Lyons (2000). Vailulu'u Undersea Volcano: The New Samoa. Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, vol 1, Paper number 2000GC000108. 

10) Sims, K.W.W., M.T. Murrell, D.J. DePaolo, W.S. Baldridge, S.J. Goldstein, D. Clague and M. Jull (1999). Porosity of the melting zone and variations in the solid mantle upwelling rate beneath Hawaii: Inferences from 238U-230Th-226Ra and 235U-231Pa disequilibria. Geochimimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol 63, number 23, pp 4119-4138, doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(99)00313-0 (invited paper for a Special volume in honor of Claude Allegre). 

9) Stracke, A., V.J.M. Salters and K.W.W. Sims (1999). Assessing the role of pyroxenite in the source of Hawaiian basalts: Hf-Nd-Th isotope evidence. Geochemistry, Geophysics, and Geosystems, vol 1, Paper number 1999GC0000013. 

8) Sims, K.W.W. and D.J. DePaolo (1997). Inferences about mantle magma sources from incompatible element concentration ratios in oceanic basalts. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol 61, number 4, pp 765-784, doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(96)00372-9. 

7) Newsom, H.E., K.W.W. Sims, P.D. Noll, W.L. Jaeger, S.A. Maehr, and T.B. Bassera (1996). The depletion of W in the bulk-silicate Earth: constraints on core formation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol 60, number 7, pp 1155-1169. 

6) Sims, K.W.W., D.J. DePaolo, M.T. Murrrell, W.S. Baldridge, S.J. Goldstein, and D. Clague (1995). Mechanisms of magma generation beneath Hawaii and Mid-Ocean ridges: U-Th and Sm-Nd isotopic evidence. Science, vol 267, pp 508-512, doi: 10.1126/science.267.5197.508. 

5) Newsom, H.E. and K.W.W. Sims (1991). Core formation during early accretion of the Earth. Science, vol 252, pp 926-933, doi: 10.1126/science.252.5008.926. 

4) Sims, K.W.W., and E.S. Gladney (1991). Determination of As, Sb, W and Mo in silicate matrices by epithermal neutron activation and inorganic ion exchange. Analytica Chimica Acta, vol 251, pp 297-303. 

3) Sims, K.W.W., H.E. Newsom, and E.S. Gladney (1990). Chemical fractionation during formation of the Earth's core and continental crust: Clues from As, Sb, W and Mo. In Origin of the Earth, J. Jones and H.E. Newsom (eds.) New York : Oxford University Press; Houston, Lunar and Planetary Institute. 1990, ISBN 0-19-506619-7. 

2) Sims, K.W.W., E.S. Gladney, C.C. Lundstrom, and N.W. Bower (1988). Elemental concentrations in Japanese silicate rock standards: a comparison with the literature. Geostandards Newsletter, vol 12, pp 379-389. 

1) Cohen, A.S., D.S. Ferguson, P.M. Gram, S.L. Hubler, and K.W.W. Sims (1986). The Distribution of Coarse Grained Sediments in Modern Lake Turkana, Kenya: Implications for Clastic Sedimentation Models of Rift Lakes. In Sedimentation in the African Rift Systems, L.E. Frostik (ed.), Geologic Societyof London, Special Publication 23, pp 212-223. 

NON-PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS AND CONSULTING REPORTS FROM GROUND WATER CONTRACTS 

Drakos, P., J. Lazarus, J. Riesterer, K.W.W. Sims, and M. Hodgins (2006). "Subsurface Stratigraphy, the Effects of Faults on Groundwater Flow, Chemical and Isotopic Constraints on Source-Waters and Connectivity of Basin-Fill Aquifers in the Southern San Luis Basin, New Mexico." Report of the 2006 Ground Water Summit, National Ground Water Association. 

Drakos, P., K.W.W Sims, J. Riesterer and J. Lazarus (2006). "Source-Waters And Connectivity Of Basin-Fill Aquifers in The San Juan Basin, New Mexico: Constraints from U-series disequilibria, Tritium and Sr, O and H isotopes." Invited, peer reviewed article for Desert Society Guidebooks, San Juan Basin Geology, pp 268-279. 

Sims, K.W.W. (2006). "Geology of New Mexico." In Rock Climbing New Mexico by Dennis Jackson, Falcon Press Co., Inc, Helena Montana, ISBN 10:00-7627-3132-9. 

Sims, K.W.W., and C. Barlow (2005). Various new routes on Huamashraju, The American Alpine Journal, "The World's Most Significant Climbs", 79, vol 47, pp 264-265. (Description of the first ascent of the West Face of Huamashraju (5,434 meters)). 

Drakos, P., J. Lazarus, J. Riesterer, M. Hodgins and K.W.W. Sims (2005). "Structural controls on ground water flow and recharge into the southern San Luis Basin near Taos, NM." USGS field report on San Luis basin Hydrology. 

Drakos, P., J. Riesterer, J. Lazarus, and K.W.W. Sims (2003). "Evaluation of Pumping Effects at Zuni Salt Lake in the Atarque Sandstone Aquifer from Fence Lake Mine." Unpublished Glorieta Geoscience, Inc. consulting report, 19 p. plus Appendices. 

Sims, K.W.W. (1996). "Geology of New Mexico and Texas."  In Rock Climbing New Mexico and Texas by Dennis Jackson, Falcon Press Co., Inc, Helena Montana, ISBN 1-56044-483-5.