Overview

Before joining the Cornell faculty in 1976, Prof. Robert W. Kay was a visiting associate at the California Institute of Technology in 1982-83, and a visiting professor at the University of Buenos Aires in 1989. Kay spent the spring of 1990 as a visiting scientist in the Institut de Physique du Globe in Paris, France.

Research Focus

I am interested in geochemical and petrologic aspects of the formation, modification and destruction of Earth`s crust. I have focused on different aspects of this theme. Initially, I worked on oceanic crust and developed a model for Mid-Oceanic Ridge basalt genesis; the resulting paper is my most highly cited. I did influential studies of ophiolites, featuring comparisons with sediments and igneous rocks of the oceanic crust. Next, I turned to geochemically constrained mass flux models for subduction-related magmas; the mass contributions of sediment, oceanic plate, and mantle were quantified for magmas of several arcs. An example of oceanic plate melt was identified. Finally, the processes that destroy crust--delamination and subduction-erosion--have been examined in the context of the creation of an andesitic crust from mantle-derived basalt.

Instruction Focus

Petrology and Geochemistry

Additional Links

• Robert Woodbury Kay

Honors, Awards and Appointments

• Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Geological Sciences - 1996-2004
• Chair of Executive Committee, Ward Laboratory and Center for Nuclear Sciences Advisory Board - 1995

Professional Activities

• Continental Deep Drilling Program, Organizing Conference - 1994
• Ocean Drilling Program (ODP):Conference on Scientific Oceanic Drilling - COSOD II - 1988

Selected Publications

• Kay, R.W., Kay, S.M., 2002, Andean adakites: three ways to make them. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 18, (3): 303-311, Jul 2002. Times Cited 10
• Yogodzinski, G., R.W. Kay, O. Volynets, A. Koloskov, and S.M. Kay, 1995, Magnesian andesite in the western Aleutian-Komandorsky region: implications for slab melting and processes in the mantle wedge, Geol. Soc. Amer. Bulletin, v. 197, p. 505-519. Times Cited: 96
• Kay, R.W. and S.M. Kay, 1993, Delamination and delamination magmatism, Tectonophysics, v. 219, p. 177-189. Note: for this year, this is the 3rd most frequently cited paper in Tectonophysics. Times Cited: 140
• Fountain, D.M., R. Arculus, and R.W. Kay, 1992, Continental Lower Crust, Developments in Geotectonics 23, Elsevier 485 pp.
• Kay, R.W. and S.M. Kay, 1991, Creation and destruction of lower continental crust, Geol. Rundschau v. 80, p. 159-278. Times Cited: 84
• Bacuta, G. C., R. W. Kay, A. K. Gibbs, and B. R. Lipin, 1990, Platinum-group element abundance and distribution in chromite deposits of the Acoje Block, Zambales Ophiolite Complex, Philippines. Jour. Geochem. Expl. v. 37, 113-145. Times Cited: 30
• Conrad, W.K. and R.W. Kay, 1984, Ultramafic and mafic inclusions from Adak Island: crystallization history and implications for the nature of primary magmas and crustal evolution in the Aleutian arc, Jour. Petrology, 25, 88-125. Times Cited: 135
• Kay, R.W., 1980, Volcanic arc magma genesis: Implications for element recycling in the crust-upper mantle system, J. Geology, 88, 497-522. Times Cited: 264
• Kay, R.W., 1978, Aleutian magnesian andesites: melts from subducted Pacific ocean crust, J. Volc. Geoth. Res., 4, 117-132. Times Cited: 180
• Kay, R.W., N. Hubbard, and P. Gast, 1970, Chemical characteristics and origin of the oceanic ridge volcanic rocks, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 1585-1613. Reprinted in Plate Tectonics, J. Bird and B. Isacks, eds, Amer. Geophys. Union, 1972. Note: this paper was designated a "Citation Classic " in 1986. Times Cited: 460

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