Glenn Spinelli

Glenn Spinelli is a Professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at New Mexico Tech. His research focuses on Marine Hydrogeology, Fault Zone Permeability, and Sedimentology/Sediment Physical Properties. He is a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) for the NSF-funded CHINOoK project examining hydrothermal circulation in oceanic crust near the Cascadia subduction zone. Spinelli collaborates with institutions like Oregon State University and has led field studies involving heat flow measurements and seismic data collection in subduction zones globally, including the Nankai Trough (Japan), Cascadia, and Chile.

Research Interests:

• Marine Hydrogeology: Fluid and heat circulation in ocean crust, subduction zones, and their impact on seismicity and sediment diagenesis.
• Fault Zone Permeability: Studies on cementation and permeability of faults, such as the Loma Blanca Fault in New Mexico, integrating geophysical and hydrological methods.
• Sedimentology: Diagenetic reactions, sediment consolidation, and thermal states in subduction margins (e.g., Nankai Trough, Costa Rica).

Key Projects:

• CHINOoK project: Collecting heat flow and seismic data to study hydrothermal circulation in the Juan de Fuca plate.
• Subduction zone thermal modeling: Examining fluid circulation effects on slab temperatures and seismicity.
• Field-scale fault studies: Mapping fault zone cementation using electrical resistivity and well testing.

Grants & Advising:

Spinelli has advised numerous graduate students, including those studying seismogenic zone dynamics, fault permeability, and sediment diagenesis. His NSF-funded projects include collaborative research on subduction zone thermal effects and hydrothermal cooling.

Labs/Teams:

He leads the CHINOoK team and collaborates with international researchers on subduction zone processes. His work integrates field observations, numerical modeling, and laboratory analyses.

Future Work:

Ongoing projects include the 2024 CHINOoK cruise to expand heat flow data in Cascadia and studies on fluid sources linking subduction zones to mantle wedge processes.