Dr. Julia Ricci

I joined the New Mexico Geochronology Research Laboratory as a research scientist and the Argon lab manager.

As a specialist in argon geochronology, I bring an essential temporal constraint to the understanding of different geological processes and their evolution in time and space. Using mainly volcanology, my research projects have combined geochronology with different fields such as paleomagnetism, geomorphology and geochemistry. Thus, among other things, I studied, the volcanic evolution of the active islands, but also the evolution of the magnetic field during the last 5 Ma with focus on the time constraint of the last Matuyama-Brunhes magnetic inversion. More recently, I have worked on the improvement of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of clay minerals in order to better constrain the medium and low-temperature processes characteristic of earth (sub-) surface: e.g. hydrothermal systems (geothermal energy, mineral resources), fault system paleo-activities.

Thus, through technical development, I strive to provide the most accurate temporal constraints possible.

• Ph.D, 2014 — Geosciences Paris-Sud (France) — Geochronology / volcanology
  • Dissertation: Space and time evolution of volcanism within Basse-Terre Island (Guadeloupe, F.W.I.) reinterpreted from new geochronology, geochemistry and geomorphology data.

• Master 2, 2011 — Geosciences Paris-Sud / IPGP (France) — Geochronology
  • Thesis: New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and K–Ar ages of the Viluy traps (Eastern Siberia): Further evidence for a relationship with the Frasnian – Famennian mass extinction.
• Master 1, 2010 — Blaise Pascal University (Clermont-Ferrand, France) — Geochronology / Mineralogy
  • Thesis: Characterization of gem sapphires from a new occurrence in Auvergne (France), and U-Pb dating of associated Zircons.

• May 2023 - present — Associate Radiation Safety Officer, New Mexico Tech.
• 2021 - present — Research Scientist II, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, New Mexico Tech.
• 2019 - 2021 — CNRS Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Geosciences Montpellier (France)
  • ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of clay minerals: toward an improved method and its applications for critical societal issues
• 2019— TOTAL postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (France)
  • Geochemical characterization and research of geochemical tracers in volcanism. Implication for global model of plates motion.
• 2016 - 2019— European Research Council Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (France)
  • Changes in the Geomagnetic Dipole over the Past 5 Ma (ERC EDIFICE).
• 2014 - 2016 — Teaching and Research Temporary Assistant, Geosciences Paris-Sud (France)
  • Analytical developments of K-Ar extraction line and calibration of the associated multi-collector mass spectrometer.

• Sao Miguel and Sao Jorge islands (Azores), 2018 - Paleomagnetism / Geochronology
• Santiago and Santo Antao islands (Cape-Verde), 2017- Paleomagnetism / Geochronology
• La Palma Island (Canary, Spain), 2017 - Paleomagnetism / Geochronology
• Corbieres and Minervois (France), 2016 - Sedimentary, paleogeography, paleoclimate
• Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe, F.W.I), 2012, 2013 - Geochronology / Volcanology / Geomorphology
• Italian volcanism (Naples, Vesuvius, Ischia, Phlégréen fields), 2011, 2015 and 2016 - Volcanic evolution
• Monts-Dores and Sancy Massif (Auvergne, France), Chaîne des Puys (Cantal, France), , 2011, 2015 and 2016 - Volcanology / Geomorphology -
• Massif de l'Agly, Les Corbières, France, 2009 - Metamorphic and sedimentary fields
• Cap creus (Pyrenees, Spain), 2009 - (Micro-) Tectonic

1. Attia, S., Heizler, M. T., Ricci, J., (2023). Quaternary age Of The Gatuña Formation at Livingston Ridge, in: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook, 73rd Field Conference, Land, Lewis; Bou Jaode, Issam; Hutchinson, Peter; Zeigler, Kate; Jakle, Anne; Van Der Werff, Brittney, New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook, 73rd Field Conference, pp. 103-111. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-73.103

2. Munch Ph., Caillaud J., Monié P., Ricci J., Philippon M., Arnaud N., Corsini M., Romagny A., Grauby O., Lanson B., Jolivet M., Azdimoussa A, (2021). Direct dating of brittle extensional deformation in the internal zones of the Rif Chain. Tectonophysics, 807, 228800.
3. Ricci, J., Carlut, J., Marques, F.O, Hildenbrand, A., Valet, J.P., (2020). New paleomagnetic record of the Matuyama-Brunhes reversal in a lava flow sequence from the Azores islands. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8, 165.
4. Ricci, J., Carlut, J., Valet, J-P., (2018). Paleosecular variation recorded by Quaternary lava flows from Guadeloupe Island. Scientific reports, 8(1), 10147.
5. Ricci, J., Quidelleur, X., Pallares C., Lahitte, P., (2017). High-resolution K-Ar dating of a complex magmatic system: The example of Basse-Terre Island (French West Indies). Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 345,142-160.
6. Ricci, J., Quidelleur, X., Lahitte, P., (2015b). Volcanic evolution of central Basse-Terre Island revisited on the basis of new geochronology, and geomorphology data. Bulletin of volcanology 77(10), 84.
7. Ricci, J., Lahitte, P., Quidelleur, X., (2015). Construction and destruction rates of volcanoes within tropical environment: Examples from the Basse-Terre Island (Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles). Geomorphology 228, 597-607.
8. Zami, F., Quidelleur, X., Ricci, J., Lebrun, J.F., Samper, A., (2014). Initial sub-aerial volcanic activity along the central Lesser Antilles inner arc: New K-Ar ages from Les Saintes volcanoes. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 287, 12-21.
9. Ricci, J., Quidelleur, X., Pavlov, P., Orlov, S., Shatsillo, A., Courtillot, V., (2013). New 40Ar/39Ar and K–Ar ages of the Viluy traps (Eastern Siberia): Further evidence for a relationship with the Frasnian–Famennian mass extinction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 386, 531-540.