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My research interests lie in the fields of metamorphic petrology,
mineralogy, and crystal chemistry, with particular emphasis on limits of
compositional variation in minerals. Within these broad areas I have focussed
particularly on serpentinites and the serpentinization of fertile mantle
rocks, which may lead to uncommon associations of common minerals, such
as chlorite/diopside/Ti-garnet rocks.
Some, but not all, serpentinites I study are also hosts for chrysotile
asbestos deposits. Public health concerns about the health effects of
asbestos have generally failed to consider the different mineralogical
and biomedical properties of asbestiform minerals. This in turn has led
to unwarranted fears of exposure to even trivial amounts of chrysotile
asbestos in non-occupational settings.
Another area of my research interests is in regional geology of
the Appalachians, the Alps, and the California Coast Ranges, particularly
in the emplacement and preservation of ultramafic rocks as ophiolites.
Teaching:
- EPS 6: Introduction
to Environmental Science
- EPS 7: Introduction
to Geological Sciences
Selected List of
Publications
- Van Baalen, M.R., 2001, William Morris Davis: Father of NEIGC. in
Pickerill, R. and Lentz, D., eds., Guidebook to Field Trips in New Brunswick
and Western Maine. New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference,
93rd Annual Meeting, Fredericton, NB.
- Guidotti, C.V. and Van Baalen, M.R., 2001, Geological, Geochemical,
and Environmental Aspects of Metamorphosed Black Shales in Central Maine.
in West, D.P., Jr. and Bailey, R.H., eds., Guidebook for Geological
Field Trips in New England. Geological Society of America, 2001 Annual
Meeting, Boston, MA.
- Van Baalen, M.R., Francis, C.A., and Mossman, B.T., 1999, Mineralogy,
Petrology and Health Issues at the Ultramafic Complex, Belvidere Mt.,
Vermont, USA. in Wright, S.F., ed, Guidebook to Field Trips in
Vermont and Adjacent Regions of New Hampshire and New York. New England
Intercollegiate Geological Conference, 91st Annual Meeting, Burlington,
VT. 377 pp.
- Van Baalen, M.R., 1997, Pressure-Temperature Estimates from Prehnite-Zoisite
Bearing Rocks. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs,
p. A337.
- Van Baalen, M.R., 1996, ed., Guidebook to Field Trips in New Hampshire
and Adjacent Regions of Maine and Vermont. New England Intercollegiate
Geological Conference, 88th Annual Meeting, Mount Washington, NH. 370
pp.
- Van Baalen, M.R., 1995, Chrysotile Asbestos in Public Water Systems:
Hazardous, or Not? Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs,
p. A233.
- Van Baalen, M.R., 1995, The New Idria Serpentinite. Ph.D. Thesis,
Harvard University, 482 pp.
- Van Baalen, M.R., 1993, Titanium Mobility in Metamorphic Systems:
a Review. Chemical Geology, 110, pp. 233-249.
Mark Van Baalen
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Harvard University
20 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA
617 495-3237 (Voice)
617 495-8839 (Fax)
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