Dr Penelope (Penny) King
Ph.D. Arizona State University, USA
ARC Future Fellow
ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
T:
61-2-6125-0667
Areas of expertise
- Geology 0403
- Geochemistry 0402
Research interests
Origin and evolution of planetary interiors and surfaces. Effect of volatiles, pH and oxidation/reduction on materials at high and low temperature. Analysis of astromaterials - especially novel techniques for analyzing light elements, multivalent elements and trace elements - to better constrain past environmental processes.
Researcher's projects
My current research focuses on the origin and evolution of planetary surfaces; and the roles of volatiles, pH, and gases on minerals and melts/glasses at high and low temperatures. I am particularly interested in the interface between volcanic and sedimentary rocks and the atmosphere. Our group uses techniques in micro-analysis (especially infrared spectroscopy), performs high and low temperature experiments, and examines geology in the field and applies the results to other planets like Mars.
Available student projects
Our research group is accepting applications from PhD students for projects on gas-solid reactions. Contact penny.king@anu.edu.au if you are interested. Applicants with a strong background in Chemistry are encouraged to apply.
Current student projects
Analytical & Field-based projects
Laboratory projects
Planetary geology projects
Past student projects
Planetary geology projects
Laboratory projects
Analytical & Theoretical Projects
Field-based projects
Publications
- Perrett, G, Campbell, J, Gellert, R et al 2016, 'Refinement of the Compton-Rayleigh scatter ratio method for use on the Mars Science Laboratory alpha particle X-ray spectrometer: II-Extraction of invisible element content', Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research: Section B, vol. 368, pp. 129-137.
- Berger, J, Schmidt, M, Gellert, R et al 2016, 'A global Mars dust composition refined by the Alpha-Particle X-ray Spectrometer in Gale Crater', Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 43, pp. 67-75.
- Norman, M & King, P 2016, 'An editorial view on publishing articles', Elements, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 148-149.
- Glibin, V & King, P 2015, 'Prediction of the thermodynamic functions of mixing of binary oxide melts in the PbO-SiO2, Al2O3-SiO2 and CaO-Al2O3 systems by structure-based modification of the quasi-chemical model.', Calphad: Computer Coupling of Phase Diagrams and Thermochemistry, vol. 49, pp. 19-34.
- Henley, R, King, P, Wykes, J et al 2015, 'Porphyry copper deposit formation by sub-volcanic sulphur dioxide flux and chemisorption', Nature Geoscience, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 210-215.
- Bristow, T, Bish, D, Vaniman, D et al 2015, 'The origin and implications of clay minerals from Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars', American Mineralogist, vol. 100, no. 4, pp. 824-836.
- Newsom, H, Mangold, N, Kah, L et al 2015, 'Gale crater and impact processes - Curiosity's first 364 Sols on Mars', Icarus, vol. 249, pp. 108-128.
- Lane, M, Bishop, J, Dyar, M et al 2015, 'Mid-infrared emission spectroscopy and visible/near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy of Fe-sulfate minerals', American Mineralogist, vol. 100, no. 1, pp. 66-82.
- Berger, J, King, P, Green, A et al 2015, 'Effect of halite coatings on thermal infrared spectra.', Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, vol. 120, pp. 2162-2178.
- Stern, J, Sutter, B, Freissinet, C et al 2015, 'Evidence for indigenous nitrogen in sedimentary and aeolian deposits from the Curiosity rover investigations at Gale crater, Mars', PNAS - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 112, no. 14, pp. 4245-4250.
- Webster, C, Mahaffy, P, Atreya, S et al 2015, 'Mars methane detection and variability at Gale crater', Science, vol. 347, no. 6220, pp. 415-417.
- Mahaffy, P, Webster, C, Stern, J et al 2015, 'The imprint of atmospheric evolution in the D/H of Hesperian clay minerals on Mars', Science, vol. 347, no. 6220, pp. 412-414.
- King, P 2015, 'Reaching our goals effectively - A work in progress', Elements, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. -.
- King, P, Edwards, A & Abram, N 2015, 'Recognizing biases that affect women geoscientists in the workplace', Elements, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 88-89.
- King, P, Kirby, R, Loiselle, L et al 2015, 'A life in science: Suggestions for applying for a Master's or PhD degree', Elements, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 7-8.
- Grotzinger, J, Sumner, D, Kah, L et al 2014, 'A habitable fluvio-lacustrine environment at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars', Science, vol. 343, no. 6169, pp. -.
- Hassler, D, Zeitlin, C, Wimmer-Schweingruber, R et al 2014, 'Mars's surface radiation environment measured with the Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover', Science, vol. 343, no. 6169.
- Ollila, A, Newsom, H, Clark, B et al 2014, 'Trace element geochemistry (Li, Ba, Sr, and Rb) using Curiosity's ChemCam: Early results for Gale crater from Bradbury Landing Site to Rocknest', Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, vol. 119, pp. 255-285.
- Farley, K, Malespin, C, Mahaffy, P et al 2014, 'In situ radiometric and exposure age dating of the Martian surface', Science, vol. 343, no. 6169.
- Vaniman, D, Bish, D, Ming, D et al 2014, 'Mineralogy of a Mudstone at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars', Science, vol. 343, no. 6169.
- Ming, D, Archer Jr, P, Glavin, D et al 2014, 'Volatile and organic compositions of sedimentary rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars', Science, vol. 343, no. 6169.
- Burne, R, Moore, L, Christy, A et al 2014, 'Stevensite in the modern thrombolites of Lake Clifton, Western Australia: A missing link in microbialite mineralization?', Geology, vol. 42, no. 7, pp. 575-578.
- Campbell, J, King, P, Burkemper, L et al 2014, 'The Mars Science Laboratory APXS calibration target: Comparison of Martian measurements with the terrestrial calibration', Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research: Section B, vol. 323, pp. 49-58.
- Berger, J, King, P, Gellert, R et al 2014, 'MSL-APXS titanium observation tray measurements: laboratory experiments and results for the Rocknest Fines at the Curiosity Field Site in Gale Crater, Mars', Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, vol. 119, no. 5, pp. 1046-1060.
- Blaney, D, Wiens, R, Maurice, S et al 2014, 'Chemistry and texture of the rocks at Rocknest, Gale Crater: Evidence for sedimentary origin and diagenetic alteration', Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 119, no. 9, pp. 2109-2131.
- King, P & Bennett, V 2014, 'Setting up or renovating a laboratory', Elements, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 170-171.
- Bish, D, Blake, D, Vaniman, D et al 2013, 'X-ray Diffraction Results from Mars Science Laboratory: Mineralogy of Rocknest at Gale Crater', Science, vol. 341, no. 6153.
- Webster, C, Mahaffy, P, Flesch, G et al 2013, 'Isotope Ratios of H, C, and O in CO2 and H2O of the Martian Atmosphere', Science, vol. 341, no. 6143.
- Meslin, P, Gasnault, O, Forni, O et al 2013, 'Soil Diversity and Hydration as Observed by ChemCam at Gale Crater, Mars', Science, vol. 341, no. 6153.
- Blake, D, Morris, R, Kocurek, G et al 2013, 'Curiosity at Gale Crater, Mars: Characterization and Analysis of the Rocknest Sand Shadow', Science, vol. 341, no. 6153.
- Mahaffy, P, Webster, C, Atreya, S et al 2013, 'Abundance and Isotopic Composition of Gases in the Martian Atmosphere from the Curiosity Rover', Science, vol. 341, no. 6143, pp. -.
- Williams, R, Grotzinger, J, Dietrich, W et al 2013, 'Martian fluvial conglomerates at Gale crater', Science, vol. 340, no. 6136, pp. 1068-1072.
- Webster, C, Mahaffy, P, Atreya, S et al 2013, 'Low Upper Limit to Methane Abundance on Mars', Science, vol. 342, no. 6156.
- Leshin, L, Mahaffy, P, Webster, C et al 2013, 'Volatile, Isotope, and Organic Analysis of Martian Fines with the Mars Curiosity Rover', Science, vol. 341, no. 6153.
- King, P 2013, 'Traveling for work - lessons from the Mars Curiosity Rover', Elements, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 156-157.
- Schmidt, M, Campbell, J, Gellert, R et al 2014, 'Geochemical diversity in first rocks examined by the Curiosity Rover in Gale Crater: Evidence for and significance of an alkali and volatile-rich igneous source', Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, vol. 119, pp. 64-81.
- Stolper, E, Baker, M, Newcombe, M et al 2013, 'The petrochemistry of Jake_M: A martian mugearite', Science, vol. 341, no. 6153, pp. 1-7.
- King, P, Sham, T, Gordon, R et al 2013, 'Microbeam X-ray analysis of Ce3+/Ce4+ in Ti-rich minerals: A case study with titanite (sphene) with implications for multivalent trace element substitution in minerals', American Mineralogist, vol. 98, no. 1, pp. 110-119.
- Lee, R, Ramsey, M & King, P 2013, 'Development of a new laboratory technique for high-temperature thermal emission spectroscopy of silicate melts', Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 118, pp. 1-16.
- McLennan, S, Anderson, R, Bell, J et al 2013, 'Elemental Geochemistry of Sedimentary Rocks at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars', Science, vol. 343.
- Campbell, J, Perrett, G, Maxwell, J et al 2013, 'Refinement of the Compton-Rayleigh scatter ratio method for use on the Mars Science Laboratory alpha particle X-ray spectrometer', Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research: Section B, vol. 302, pp. 24-31.
- Yingst, R, Kah, L, Palucis, M et al 2013, 'Characteristics of pebble- and cobble-sized clasts along the Curiosity rover traverse from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest', Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, vol. 118, no. 11, pp. 2361-2380.
- King, P & Larsen, J 2013, 'A micro-reflectance IR spectroscopy method for analyzing volatile species in basaltic, andesitic, phonolitic, and rhyolitic glasses', American Mineralogist, vol. 98, no. 7, pp. 1162-1171.
- de Moor, J, Fischer, T, King, P et al 2013, 'Volatile-rich silicate melts from Oldoinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania): Implications for carbonatite genesis and eruptive behaviour', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 361, pp. 379-390.
- de Moor, J, Fischer, T, Sharp, Z et al 2013, 'Sulfur degassing at Erta Ale (Ethiopia) and Masaya (Nicaragua) volcanoes: Implications for degassing processes and oxygen fugacities of basaltic systems', Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. G3, vol. 14, no. 10, pp. 4076-4108.
- King, P 2013, 'Changing research direction in the middle of an academic career', Elements, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 476-.
- Vernazza, P, Delbo, M, King, P et al 2012, 'High surface porosity as the origin of emissivity features in asteroid spectra', Icarus, vol. 221, pp. 1162-1172.
- King, P & Fulton, C 2012, 'Writing your first proposal', Elements, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 314-315.
- King, P 2012, 'How to run a workshop', Elements, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 151-152.
- McLennan, S, Sephton, M, Allen, C et al 2012, 'Planning for Mars Returned Sample Science: Final report of the MSR End-to-End International Science Analysis Group (E2E-iSAG)', Astrobiology, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 175-231.
- Campbell, J, Perrett, G, Gellert, R et al 2012, 'Calibration of the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer', Space Science Reviews, vol. 170, pp. 319-340.
- Hyde, B, King, P, Dyar, M et al 2011, 'Methods to analyze metastable and microparticulate hydrated and hydrous iron sulfate minerals', American Mineralogist, vol. 96, no. 11-12, pp. 1856-1869.
- Vernazza, P, Lamy, P, Groussin, O et al 2011, 'Asteroid (21) Lutetia as a remnant of Earth's precursor planetesimals', Icarus, vol. 216, no. 2, pp. 650-659.
- King, P 2011, 'Trying to write, instead of "trying not to write"', Elements, vol. 7, no. 6, p. 370.
- King, P 2011, 'A life in science', Elements, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 207-208.
- Shearer, C, Burger, P, Neal, C et al 2010, 'Non-basaltic asteroidal magmatism during the earliest stages of solar system evolution: A view from Antarctic achondrites Graves Nunatak 06128 and 06129', Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 74, no. 3, pp. 1172-1199.
- Foster, I, King, P, Hyde, B et al 2010, 'Characterization of halophiles in natural MgSO4 salts and laboratory enrichment samples: Astrobiological implications for Mars', Planetary and Space Science, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 599-615.
- King, P & McLennan, S 2010, 'Sulfur on Mars', Elements, vol. 6, pp. 107-112.
- Izawa, M, Flemming, R, King, P et al 2010, 'Mineralogical and spectroscopic investigation of the Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite by X-ray diffraction and infrared reflectance spectroscopy', Meteoritics and Planetary Science, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 675-698.
- Lee, R, King, P & Ramsey, M 2010, 'Spectral analysis of synthetic quartzofeldspathic glasses using laboratory thermal infrared spectroscopy', Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 115, no. 6.
- Russell, S, Longstaffe, F, King, P et al 2010, 'The oxygen-isotope composition of chondrules and isolated forsterite and olivine grains from the Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite', Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 74, no. 8, pp. 2484-2499.
- Izawa, M, King, P, Flemming, R et al 2010, 'Mineralogical and spectroscopic investigation of enstatite chondrites by X-ray diffraction and infrared reflectance spectroscopy', Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 115, no. 7, pp. E07008(1-18).
- Dufresne, C, King, P, Dyar, M et al 2009, 'Effect of SiO2, total FeO, Fe3+/Fe2+ and alkali elements in basaltic glasses on mid-infrared spectra', American Mineralogist, vol. 94, no. 11-12, pp. 1580-1590.
- Lane, M, Bishop, J, Dyar, M et al 2008, 'Mineralogy of the Paso Robles soils on Mars', American Mineralogist, vol. 93, no. 5-6, pp. 728-739.
- Wagner, C, Deloule, E, Fialin, M et al 2008, 'Dehydrogenation of kaersutitic amphibole under electron beam excitation recorded by changes in Fe3+/?Fe: An EMP and SIMS study', American Mineralogist, vol. 93, no. 8-9, pp. 1273-1281.
- Mongrain, J, Larsen, J & King, P 2008, 'Rapid water exsolution, degassing, and bubble collapse observed experimentally in K-phonolite melts', Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, vol. 173, no. 3-4, pp. 178-184.
- Klimm, K, Holtz, F & King, P 2008, 'Fractionation vs. magma mixing in the Wangrah Suite A-type granites, Lachlan Fold Belt, Australia: Experimental constraints', Lithos, vol. 102, no. 3-4, pp. 415-434.
Projects and Grants
Grants are drawn from ARIES. To add Projects or Grants please contact your College Research Office.
- Gas-Solid Reactions in Earth and Planetary Systems (Primary Investigator)
- Tracking Water on Planetary Surfaces Using Data from the Curiosity Rover, the Laboratory, Meteorites and Australian Field Sites (Primary Investigator)
