Bruce Buffett

Bruce Buffett is a Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, with his office located in McCone Hall (Room 383). His research spans planetary interiors, geomagnetism, and climate-related geophysics.

His primary research interests include:

• Dynamics and evolution of planetary interiors
• Mantle convection and plate tectonics
• Planetary dynamos and geomagnetic field variability
• Physical modeling of gas hydrates and implications for climate change

Buffett employs stochastic and numerical models to investigate core dynamics, including studies on topographic torque at the core-mantle boundary, inner core anisotropy, and stable stratification. His work on gas hydrates focuses on submarine groundwater discharge and its role in hydrate stability on continental shelves, particularly in the Arctic.

Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on geomagnetic field modeling, with recurring themes of:

• Uncertainty quantification in geomagnetic time series
• Core-mantle boundary interactions
• Inner core structure and flow
• Application of advanced statistical methods to geomagnetic data

Buffett's research is supported by grants such as the NSF-SNSF collaborative project on Earth's core dynamics under the plesio-geostrophy paradigm.