Dr. Thomas Benson is a volcanologist with specialties in the geology of critical mineral deposits AND silicic caldera systems.
Check out Tom’s latest paper in Science Advances on the origin of the largest known lithium deposit in the world (McDermitt Caldera, USA)!
Tom was interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning and NPR's Science Friday for his research on lithium deposits in supervolcanoes! You can also read about his research in Nature, Newsweek, Wired, Inverse, and the Daily Mail.
To hear more about the geology of lithium deposits and how they form, check out Tom’s chat with Joe Lowry on the Global Lithium Podcast!
Silicic caldera systems
The bulk of Tom's Ph.D. and MS work focused on the physical volcanology, geochronology, and geochemistry of calderas associated with the Yellowstone hotspot. Click the link below to learn about his research in Nevada and Oregon.
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
"Energy-critical elements" like lithium are essential resources for modern sustainable energy technologies. See how Tom's work as head geologist at Lithium Americas Corporation and research at Columbia University and are advancing our understanding of lithium resources around the globe.