Marco Brenna Staff Page, Our people, Department of Geology

Marco Brenna BSc (University of Western Australia), PhD (Massey)

Igneous petrology and geochemistry
Volcanology
Magma ascent dynamics

Office - Geology Gs09
Tel+64 3 479 5634
Email marco.brenna@otago.ac.nz
Google Scholar: Marco Brenna
ORCIDorcid.org/0000-0001-6096-6999

Research Interests

My research spans the interface of magmatic and volcanic processes. I investigate the chemical and petrologic characteristics of igneous rocks to unravel their history. I focus mainly on intraplate alkalic systems such as the Auckland Volcanic Field or the Dunedin Volcano, but have also studied recent eruptions at calc-alkalic arc volcanoes, at Mount Tongariro and Hunga Ha'apai (Tonga). Outlined here are some of my ongoing research projects:

Magma generation and ascent dynamics in small-volume intraplate basaltic volcanic systems. My study of the Jeju Island intraplate volcano in South Korea left me with several questions on the mechanisms that allow small-volume and diverse magma batches to erupt in laterally and temporally dispersed volcanic systems. I am currently measuring rates of elemental diffusion in xenocrystic mantle olivines in the Auckland Volcanic Field to estimate rates of magma ascent. The next step will be to model the process of magma accumulation in the mantle and mechanisms triggering ascent.
Formation of phonolite-trachyte lineages in intraplate alkalic volcanoes. The Dunedin Volcano (and many others) is composed of lavas ranging in composition from basalt to trachyte and phonolite. Some of these lavas contain mantle peridotite xenoliths, indicative of their fast ascent. Together with colelagues at INGV Rome we are experimentally investigating the conditions that lead to the formation of different magmatic liquid lines of descent.
Characterization and eruption dynamics of the 2014-2015 eruption of Hunga Ha'apai (Tonga). I visited and sampled the newly born volcanic cone at Hunga Ha'hapai together with colleagues from the University of Auckland. We collected data ranging from rock samples to characterize the eruption both chemically and physically, underwater bathymetry to reveal features of previous eruption, and drone images of the whole island to generate a 3D model of erosional features.

In addition to these specific projects, I also work on intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks as far afield as Western Australia, Saudi Arabia, Korea and Japan.

A section through a small basaltic volcano at Jeju Island showing the transition from phreatomagmatic-dominated to magmatic-dominated eruption phases.

Precipitous basalt and trachyte cliffs at Ulleung Island.

Inspecting the volcanic deposits from the 2009 and 2015 eruptions at Hunga Ha'apai, Tonga.

Peeking into the crater of the 2012 Te Maari eruption at Mount Tongariro

Teaching

View available student research opportunities

Publications

Wu, J., Cronin, S. J., Brenna, M., Park, S.-H., Pontesilli, A., Ukstins, I. A., … White, J. D. L., … Kula, T. (2025). Low sulfur emissions from 2022 Hunga eruption due to seawater-magma interactions. Nature Geoscience. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/s41561-025-01691-7 Journal - Research Article

Liu, D., Xu, C., Brenna, M., Liu, X., Li, Q., & Wei, C. (2025). Paleoproterozoic deep carbon cycle recorded in carbonatites. Precambrian Research, 417, 107669. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2024.107669 Journal - Research Article

Corella Santa Cruz, C. R., Straub, S. M., Zellmer, G. F., Stirling, C. H., Reid, M. R., Barr, D., Martin, C. E., Brenna, M., & Nemeth, K. (2025). Geochemical and isotopic characterisation of trench sediment at the Hikurangi Margin from IODP sites U1518 and U1520. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 68(1), 120-134. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2023.2280031 Journal - Research Article

Wilson, L. J. E., Giacalone, E., Scott, J. M., Brenna, M., White, J. D. L., le Roux, P. J., … Palmer, M. C., Read, S. E., Reid, M. R., & Stirling, C. H. (2025). Contemporaneous alkaline and subalkaline intraplate magmatism in the Dunedin Volcanic Group, NZ, caused by mantle heterogeneity. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 68(1), 95-119. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2023.2277443 Journal - Research Article

Stenning, A., White, J., & Brenna, M. (2024). A series of magma recharge and mixing events at Mt Charles, Otago Peninsula: Reconstructing the Dunedin volcano. In F. Nelson, H. Jack & S. Chanony (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication: Mountains to Sea. 167A, (pp. 233). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract] Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2025

Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

Scott, J. M., Brenna, M., Pearson, D. G., Auer, A., Faure, K., Harris, C., … Mortimer, N., … Reid, M. R., … Stirling, C. H., … van der Meer, Q. H. A. (2024). Garnet pyroxenite cumulates from Cretaceous alkaline intraplate magmas underplate the Zealandia mantle lithosphere. Journal of Petrology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egae085

Xu, C., Shi, A., Brenna, M., Liu, P., Li, Q., & Fan, C. (2024). Degassing-driven oxidation promotes HREE enrichment in South China granites. Journal of Petrology, 65(7), egae064. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egae064

Shi, A., Xu, C., Fan, C., Chakhmouradian, A. R., Brenna, M., & Wei, C. (2024). Structural defects of heavy rare earth element minerals in granite accelerate their decomposition and facilitate mineralization during weathering. Economic Geology, 119(4), 871-883. doi: 10.5382/econgeo.5057

Zhang, R., Brenna, M., White, J. D. L., & Kereszturi, G. (2024). Variable controlling factors lead to contrasting patterns of volcanism in the Changbaishan volcanic area (Tianchi-Longgang), China-North Korea: Insights from morphometry and spatial-temporal analyses. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 451, 108116. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2024.108116

Cooper, N. P., Scott, J. M., Brenna, M., Palmer, M. C., le Roux, P. J., Cooper, A. F., Reid, M. R., & Stirling, C. H. (2024). Hydrous veined mantle lithosphere and implications for the source of Zealandia intraplate magmas. Lithos. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2024.107608

Pontesilli, A., Di Fiore, F., Scarlato, P., Ellis, B., Del Bello, E., Andronico, D., … Brenna, M., … Mollo, S. (2024). Magma differentiation in dynamic mush domains from the perspective of multivariate statistics: Open- versus closed-system evolution. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 25, e2023GC011396. doi: 10.1029/2023GC011396

Wang, T., Griffin, J. D., Brenna, M., Fletcher, D., Zeng, J., Stirling, M., Dillingham, P. W., & Kang, J. (2024). Earthquake forecasting from paleoseismic records. Nature Communications, 15, 1944. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46258-z

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stenning, A., Palin, M., White, J., & Brenna, M. (2024). Hot and cold storage within a long-lived crystal mush beneath the Dunedin volcano. In F. Nelson, H. Jack & S. Chanony (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication: Mountains to Sea. 167A, (pp. 232). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Leonard, G., White, J., Townsend, D., Martin, A., Stenning, A., Brenna, M., Cox, S., Easterbrook-Clarke, L., Frean, D., … Sagar, M. (2024). What happened here? Mapping and re-interpreting the volcanic rocks underlying Dunedin. In F. Nelson, H. Jack & S. Chanony (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication: Mountains to Sea. 167A, (pp. 139). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Broek, W., White, J., & Brenna, M. (2024). Sill emplacement of the Waiareka-Deborah Volcanic Field and the oddity Mt Charles Bow-Alley Creek. In F. Nelson, H. Jack & S. Chanony (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication: Mountains to Sea. 167A, (pp. 26). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

2023

Journal - Research Article

Baxter, R. J. M., White, J. D. L., Ohneiser, C., & Brenna, M. (2023). Reconstruction of subaqueous eruption-fed current characteristics and source location using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) at Otapahi, Dunedin Volcano, New Zealand. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 128, e2022JB025605. doi: 10.1029/2022JB025605

Zhang, R., Brenna, M., & Kereszturi, G. (2023). Monogenetic scoria cone and associated lava flow volume estimates and their controlling factors. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 440, 107872. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107872

Corella Santa Cruz, C. R., Zellmer, G. F., Stirling, C. H., Straub, S. M., Brenna, M., Reid, M. R., Németh, K., & Barr, D. (2023). Transcrustal and source processes affecting the chemical characteristics of magmas in a hyperactive volcanic zone. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 352, 86-106. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2023.05.003

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Ramos, F. C., Ukstins, I., Adams, D., Shane, P. A. R., Paredes-Mariño, J., Cronin, S. J., Brenna, M., … Wu, J. (2023). The 2021-22 Hunga Tonga eruption: Involvement of three highly depleted magmas in a VEI 6 eruption. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting: Wide. Open. Science. V43A-02. Retrieved from https://www.agu.org

Cronin, S. J., Paredes-Mariño, J., Ukstins, I., Wu, J., Hamilton, K., Adams, D., … Brenna, M., Baxter, R. J. M., … Yeo, I. A. (2023). Is the 2022 Hunga event a new phreatomagmatic eruption type? [Invited]. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting: Wide. Open. Science. V43A-01. Retrieved from https://www.agu.org

Huebsch, M., Colombier, M., Wu, J., Paredes-Mariño, J., Cronin, S., Ukstins, I., … Brenna, M., … Kula, T. (2023). Insights into ascent conditions preserved in quenched pyroclasts from the 2021-2022 eruption of Hunga volcano, Tonga. In G. E. Frontin-Rollett & S. D. Nodder (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 164A, (pp. 116). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Cooper, N. P., Scott, J. M., Brenna, M., Palmer, M. C., le Roux, P. J., Cooper, A. F., Reid, M. R., & Stirling, C. H. (2023). Hydrous veins in the New Zealand mantle lithosphere and their implications for intraplate magmatism. In G. E. Frontin-Rollett & S. D. Nodder (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 164A, (pp. 51). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Jordan, M., Pilet, S., & Brenna, M. (2023). Alkaline and arc-related magmas association in a subduction environment (Alexander Volcanic Group, New Zealand): The role of melts at lithosphere-astehnosphere boundary. Proceedings of the 21st Swiss Geosciences Meeting (SGM). (pp. 75-76). Bern, Switzerland: Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). Retrieved from https://geoscience-meeting.ch/sgm2023

2022

Journal - Research Article

Park, J., Lim, H., Myeong, B., Jang, Y.-D., & Brenna, M. (2022). Basaltic cognate enclaves from Dokdo Island as a window for intraplate mafic alkaline OIB magma dynamics in a back-arc basin. Contributions to Mineralogy & Petrology, 177, 86. doi: 10.1007/s00410-022-01951-4

Baxter, R. J. M., White, J. D. L., Brenna, M., & Ohneiser, C. (2022). Pre-eruption magma staging at the long-lived intraplate Dunedin Volcano, New Zealand. Terra Nova, 34, 253-263. doi: 10.1111/ter.12585

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Pontesilli, A., Tost, M., Barker, S., … Vaiomounga, R. (2022). Post-caldera volcanism reveals shallow priming of an intra-ocean arc andesitic caldera: Hunga volcano, Tonga, SW Pacific. Lithos, 412-413, 106614. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106614

Pontesilli, A., Brenna, M., Mollo, S., Masotta, M., Nazzari, M., Le Roux, P., & Scarlato, P. (2022). Trachyte-phonolite transition at Dunedin Volcano: Fingerprints of magma plumbing system maturity and mush evolution. Lithos, 408-409, 106545. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106545

Journal - Research Other

Jordan, M., Pilet, S., & Brenna, M. (2022). Off-rift axis channelized melt and lithospheric metasomatism along mid-ocean ridges: A case study from Iceland on the limits of melt channelling. Journal of Petrology, 63, egac052. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egac052

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Zhang, R., & Brenna, M. (2022). Volcanology, geochemistry and age of Pigroot Hill Volcanic Complex, Waipiata Volcanic Field, New Zealand. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 322). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Wu, Y., Robinson, J., Lee, D., & Brenna, M. (2022). Geological setting and early oligocene invertebrate fauna at McDonald's Quarry, Kakanui, New Zealand. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 313). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Stevenson, T., & Brenna, M. (2022). A synthesis of volcanic edifice evolution based on a 3D lithological reconstruction of Heyward Promontory, East Otago, New Zealand. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 256). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Stenning, A., White, J. D. L., Brenna, M., Hemming, S., Palin, J. M., & Baxter, R. (2022). Refining the early geochronological record for the Dunedin Volcano, New Zealand. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 252). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Paredes-Mariño, J., White, J. D. L., Dürig, T., Baxter, R., Cronin, S. J., Kula, T., … Brenna, M., & Brooks-Clarke, I. (2022). A tale of extreme fragmentation: The volcanic ash from Hunga Eruption. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 207). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Huebsch, M., Paredes-Mariño, J., Ukstins, I., Wu, J., Adams, D., Cronin, S., … Brenna, M., White, J., Baxter, R., & Palmer, M. (2022). Using 3D textures to assess magma-water interaction dynamics across varying conditions at Hunga volcano. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 125). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Cronin, S., Kula, T., Ukstins, I., Romas, F., Paredes-Marino, J., Park, S.-H., … White, J., Baxter, R., Brenna, M., … Garvin, J. (2022). A "big boom": A multi-perspective view of what drove the 15 January 2022 Hunga eruption, Tonga. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 61). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Corella Santa Cruz, C. R., Stirling, C. H., Zellmer, G. F., Straub, S. M., Brenna, M., & Nemeth, K. (2022). New comprehensive Pb isotopic data Elucidate novel petrogenetic processes across the Taupo Volcanic Zone. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 161A, (pp. 55). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Ukstins, I., Cronin, S., Adams, D., Wu, J., Paredes Marino, J., Brenna, M., … Brooks-Clarke, I. (2022). Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai Jan 15, 2022 eruption: Assembly of heterogenous magma sources recorded in melt inclusions from plagioclase, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. Proceedings of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly. EGU22-13585. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-13585

Cronin, S., Brenna, M., Kula, T., Ukstins, I., Adams, D., Wu, J., … White, J., … Gravley, D. (2022). The 15 January 2022 Hunga eruption, Tonga: First petrographic and geochemical results. Proceedings of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly. EGU22-13584. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-13584

Corella Santa Cruz, C. R., Zellmer, G. F., Stirling, C. H., Straub, S., Reid, M., Nemeth, K., & Brenna, M. (2022). Origin of compositional variations of Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) eruption products: Crustal differentiation or subduction melange diapirism? Proceedings of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly. EGU22-3237. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-3237

Stern, S., Cronin, S., Ribo, M., Barker, S., Brenna, M., Smith, I. E. M., … Vaiomounga, R. (2022). Post-2015 caldera morphology of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai caldera, Tonga, through drone photogrammetry and summit area bathymetry. Proceedings of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly. EGU22-13586. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-13586

Paredes-Mariño, J., White, J., Dürig, T., Baxter, R., Kula, T., Cronin, S., … Brenna, M., & Brooks-Clarke, I. (2022). Understanding fragmentation mechanism(s) during the 15 January 2022 Hunga Volcano (Tonga) eruption through particle characteristics. Proceedings of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly. EGU22-13587. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-13587

2021

Chapter in Book - Research

Brenna, M., Ubide, T., Nichols, A. R. L., Mollo, S., & Pontesilli, A. (2021). Anatomy of intraplate monogenetic alkaline basaltic magmatism. In M. Masotta, C. Beier & S. Mollo (Eds.), Crustal magmatic system evolution: Anatomy, architecture, and physico-chemical processes. (pp. 79-103). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. doi: 10.1002/9781119564485.ch4

Journal - Research Article

McLeod, O. E., Brenna, M., Briggs, R. M., & Pittari, A. (2021). Slab tear as a cause of coeval arc-intraplate volcanism in the Alexandra Volcanic Group, New Zealand. Lithos, 408-409, 106564. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106564

Pontesilli, A., Brenna, M., Ubide, T., Mollo, S., Masotta, M., Caulfield, J., … Scott, J. M., & Scarlato, P. (2021). Intraplate basalt alkalinity modulated by a lithospheric mantle filter at the Dunedin Volcano (New Zealand). Journal of Petrology, 62(10), egab062. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egab062

Smith, I. E. M., Brenna, M., & Cronin, S. J. (2021). The magma source of small-scale intraplate monogenetic volcanic systems in northern New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 418, 107326. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2021.107326

Kang, H., Kim, Y., Rhie, J., Kang, T.-S., & Brenna, M. (2021). Seismic crustal structure beneath Jeju Volcanic Island, South Korea from teleseismic P-receiver functions. Geophysical Journal International, 227, 58-75. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggab211

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Zhang, R., Brenna, M., Kereszturi, G., & White, J. (2021). The volume relationship between monogenetic volcanic cone and its associated lava flow: Digital elevation model-based analysis. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 158, (pp. 330). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Wu, J., Cronin, S. J., Ukstins, I. A., Brenna, M., & Adams, D. (2021). Magmatic processes inferred from olivine xenocrysts from the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 158, (pp. 322). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Ukstins, I., Wu, J., Brenna, M., Cronin, S., & Smith, I. (2021). Volatiles in nominally anhydrous mantle olivine from the Auckland Volcanic Feed. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 158, (pp. 294). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Stevenson, T., Brenna, M., & Read, S. (2021). A synthesis of shield volcano evolution based on a 3D lithological reconstruction of Heyward Promontory, Dunedin, NZ. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 158, (pp. 269). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Stenning, A., White, J., Brenna, M., Hemming, S., Palin, M., & Baxter, R. (2021). Refining the early geochronological record for the Dunedin Volcano, New Zealand. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 158, (pp. 266). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Corella Santa Cruz, C. R., Stirling, C. H., Zellmer, G. F., Straub, S. M., Brenna, M., & Nemeth, K. (2021). New comprehensive PB isotopic data elucidate novel petrogenetic processes across the Taupo Volcanic Zone. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 158, (pp. 52). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Pontesilli, A., Tost, M., Barker, S., … Vaiomounga, R. (2021). Post-caldera volcanism reveals shallow priming of an intra-ocean arc andesitic caldera: Hunga volcano, Tonga, SW Pacific. In A. V. Zernack & J. Palmer (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 158, (pp. 20). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Jordan, M., Pilet, S., & Brenna, M. (2021). Off-rift alkaline magmatism around mid-ocean ridges: A case study from Iceland. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. V35D-0158. Retrieved from https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting

2020

Journal - Research Article

Kamali, A. A., Moayyed, M., Amel, N., Mohammad, F., Brenna, M., Saumur, B. M., & Santos, J. F. (2020). Mineralogy, mineral chemistry and thermobarometry of post-mineralization dykes of the Sungun Cu-Mo porphyry deposit (Northwest Iran). Open Geosciences, 12, 764-790. doi: 10.1515/geo-2020-0009

Auer, A., Brenna, M., & Scott, J. M. (2020). Influence of host magma alkalinity on trachytic melts formed during incongruent orthopyroxene dissolution in mantle xenoliths. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 63(4), 547-561. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2020.1766519

Wei, C.-W., Xu, C., Chakhmouradian, A. R., Brenna, M., Kynicky, J., & Song, W.-L. (2020). Carbon-strontium isotope decoupling in carbonatites from Caotan (Qinling, China): Implications for the origin of calcite carbonatite in orogenic settings. Journal of Petrology, 61(2), egaa024. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egaa024

Scott, J. M., Pontesilli, A., Brenna, M., White, J. D. L., Giacalone, E., Palin, J. M., & le Roux, P. J. (2020). The Dunedin Volcanic Group and a revised model for Zealandia's alkaline intraplate volcanism. New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 63(4), 510-529. doi: 10.1080/00288306.2019.1707695

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Corella Santa Cruz, C. R., Zellmer, G. F., Stirling, C. H., Straub, S. M., Brenna, M., & Nemeth, K. (2020). Is crustal AFC responsible for felsic magma generation in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ)? Evaluating the major oxide, trace element and isotopic evidence. In K. N. Bassett, A. R. L. Nichols & C. H. Fenton (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 157A, (pp. 249). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Corella Santa Cruz, C., Zellmer, G. F., Stirling, C. H., Straub, S. M., Brenna, M., & Nemeth, K. (2020). Hyperactive volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone: A MELTS and Magma Chamber Simulator study to explore if AFC processes with a Torlesse assimilant can explain magmatic differentiation. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. Retrieved from https://www.agu.org

Brenna, M., Pontesilli, A., Palin, M., Pilet, S., Faccini, B., & Coltorti, M. (2020). Mantle metasomatism and implications for primary basalt composition in intraplate volcanic provinces. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. Retrieved from https://www.agu.org

Stenning, A., Brenna, M., & White, J. (2020). The birth of an intraplate volcano: Characterising the onset of volcanism at the Dunedin Volcano, New Zealand. In K. N. Bassett, A. R. L. Nichols & C. H. Fenton (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 157A, (pp. 272). Wellington, New Zealand: Geoscience Society of New Zealand. [Abstract]

Brenna, M., Ohneiser, C., Gorman, A., & Palin, M. (2020). Geothermal energy from extinct volcanoes: The Dunedin experiment. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Symposium: New Energy Futures post COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/oerc

2019

Journal - Research Article

Brenna, M., Pontesilli, A., Mollo, S., Masotta, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., … Scarlato, P. (2019). Intra-eruptive trachyte-phonolite transition: Natural evidence and experimental constraints on the role of crystal mushes. American Mineralogist, 104(12), 1750-1764. doi: 10.2138/am-2019-6963

Pontesilli, A., Masotta, M., Nazzari, M., Mollo, S., Armienti, P., Scarlato, P., & Brenna, M. (2019). Crystallization kinetics of clinopyroxene and titanomagnetite growing from a trachybasaltic melt: New insights from isothermal time-series experiments. Chemical Geology, 510, 113-129. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.02.015

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Thomas, R. E., Brenna, M., Scott, J. M., Negrini, M., Schipper, C. I., Palmer, M., & le Roux, P. J. (2019). Using trace element modelling to constrain the formation of rare earth element rich carbonatites in the Alpine Dyke Swarm. In P. J. J. Kamp & A. Pittari (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 154A, (pp. 198). Wellington, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

McLeod, O. E., Briggs, R. M., Brenna, M., & Pittari, A. (2019). Scales of geochemical variation among cross-arc basaltic stratovolcanoes in North Island: The Alexandra volcanic group. In P. J. J. Kamp & A. Pittari (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 154A, (pp. 132). Wellington, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

2018

Journal - Research Article

Kamali, A. A., Moayyed, M., Amel, N., Hosseinzadeh, M. R., Mohammadiha, K., Santos, J. F., & Brenna, M. (2018). Post-mineralization, cogenetic magmatism at the Sungun Cu-Mo porphyry deposit (Northwest Iran): Protracted melting and extraction in an arc system. Minerals, 8(12), 588. doi: 10.3390/min8120588

Verolino, A., White, J. D. L., & Brenna, M. (2018). Eruption dynamics at Pahvant Butte volcano, Utah, western USA: Insights from ash-sheet dispersal, grain size, and geochemical data. Bulletin of Volcanology, 80(11), 81. doi: 10.1007/s00445-018-1256-7

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Tollan, P. M. E., Scott, J. M., Prior, D. J., … Ukstins, I. A. (2018). Olivine xenocryst diffusion reveals rapid monogenetic basaltic magma ascent following complex storage at Pupuke Maar, Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand. Earth & Planetary Science Letters, 499, 13-22. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2018.07.015

Colombier, M., Scheu, B., Wadsworth, F. B., Cronin, S., Vasseur, J., Dobson, K. J., … Brenna, M., … Dingwell, D. B. (2018). Vesiculation and quenching during Surtseyan eruptions at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcano, Tonga. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 123, 3762-3779. doi: 10.1029/2017JB015357

Song, W., Xu, C., Smith, M. P., Chakhmouradian, A. R., Brenna, M., Kynicky, J., … Tang, H. (2018). Genesis of the world's largest rare earth element deposit, Bayan Obo, China: Protracted mineralization evolution over ~1 b.y. Geology, 46(4), 323-326. doi: 10.1130/G39801.1

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

McLeod, O., Pittari, A., Brenna, M., & Briggs, R. (2018). Perspectives on the structure, vent distribution and composition of Pirongia, the North Island's largest basalt volcano. In M. Sagar & J. Prebble (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 151A, (pp. 187). Wellington, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

Baxter, R., White, J., & Brenna, M. (2018). Complex relationships and compositional variation, at the onset of Dunedin volcanism. In M. Sagar & J. Prebble (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 151A, (pp. 22). Wellington, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

2017

Journal - Research Article

Stirling, M., Bebbington, M., Brenna, M., Cronin, S., Christophersen, A., Deligne, N., … Wang, T., White, J. D. L., … Wilson, T. (2017). Conceptual development of a National Volcanic Hazard Model for New Zealand. Frontiers in Earth Science, 5, 51. doi: 10.3389/feart.2017.00051

Dalton, H. B., Scott, J. M., Liu, J., Waight, T. E., Pearson, D. G., Brenna, M., … Palin, J. M. (2017). Diffusion-zoned pyroxenes in an isotopically heterogeneous mantle lithosphere beneath the Dunedin Volcanic Group, New Zealand, and their implications for intraplate alkaline magma sources. Lithosphere, 9(3), 463-475. doi: 10.1130/L631.1

Journal - Research Other

Cronin, S. J., Brenna, M., Smith, I. E. M., Barker, S., Tost, M., Ford, M., … Vaiomounga, R. (2017). New volcanic island unveils explosive past. Eos. doi: 10.1029/2017EO076589

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Yagolnitzer, Y., & Brenna, M. (2017). The Pigroot duality: An experimental analysis of the Pigroot phonolite. In J. Baker & M. Rowe (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 134A, (pp. 131). Takaka, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

Giacalone, E., White, J. D. L., Palin, J. M., & Brenna, M. (2017). An unusually coarse basaltic lava with extremely coarse segregation structures, Swinburn, Waipiata Volanic Field, Otago, New Zealand. In J. Baker & M. Rowe (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 134A, (pp. 39-40). Takaka, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

Brenna, M., Smith, I. E. M., Cronin, S. J., Smid, E., Scott, J. M., & Prior, D. J. (2017). Rapid magma ascent following complex storage at Pukepuke Maar, Auckland Volcanic Field. In J. Baker & M. Rowe (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. (pp. 12-13). Takaka, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Nemeth, K., White, J. D. L., & Baxter, R. (2017). Three Kings or a whole dynasty? A complex volcano in the heart of Auckland. In J. Baker & M. Rowe (Eds.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 134A, (pp. 12). Takaka, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

2016

Journal - Research Article

Scott, J. M., Brenna, M., Crase, J. A., Waight, T. E., van der Meer, Q., Cooper, A. F., Palin, J. M., … Münker, C. (2016). Peridotitic lithosphere metasomatized by volatile-bearing melts, and its association with intraplate alkaline HIMU-like magmatism. Journal of Petrology, 57(10), 2053-2078. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egw069

2015

Journal - Research Article

Brenna, M., Nakada, S., Miura, D., Toshida, K., Ito, H., Hokanishi, N., & Nakai, S. (2015). A trachyte–syenite core within a basaltic nest: Filtering of primitive injections by a multi-stage magma plumbing system (Oki-Dōzen, south-west Japan). Contributions to Mineralogy & Petrology, 170, 22. doi: 10.1007/s00410-015-1181-0

Brenna, M., Németh, K., Cronin, S. J., Sohn, Y. K., Smith, I. E. M., & Wijbrans, J. (2015). Co-located monogenetic eruptions ~200 kyr apart driven by tapping vertically separated mantle source regions, Chagwido, Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Bulletin of Volcanology, 77, 43. doi: 10.1007/s00445-015-0928-9

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Kereszturi, G., Sohn, Y. K., Smith, I. E. M., & Wijbrans, J. (2015). Intraplate volcanism influenced by distal subduction tectonics at Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Bulletin of Volcanology, 77, 7. doi: 10.1007/s00445-014-0896-5

Journal - Research Other

Brenna, M., & Cronin, S. J. (2015). Mantle heterogeneity controls on small-volume basaltic volcanism. Geology, 43, e370. doi: 10.1130/G37023C.1

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Lister, A., Prior, D., McNamaraz, D., & Brenna, M. (2015). 3D reconstruction of geothermal calcite veins using a correlative microscopic approach: EBSD, EDX chemical analysis and other machines that go ping [Poster]. Proceedings of the 27th National Conference on Microscopy. Retrieved from http://microscopy2015.otago.ac.nz/index.html

2014

Journal - Research Article

Cronin, S. J., Stewart, C., Zernack, A. V., Brenna, M., Procter, J. N., Pardo, N., … Irwin, M. (2014). Volcanic ash leachate compositions and assessment of health and agricultural hazards from 2012 hydrothermal eruptions, Tongariro, New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 286, 233-247. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.07.002

Lube, G., Breard, E. C. P., Cronin, S. J., Procter, J. N., Brenna, M., Moebis, A., … Fournier, N. (2014). Dynamics of surges generated by hydrothermal blasts during the 6 August 2012 Te Maari eruption, Mt. Tongariro, New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 286, 348-366. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.05.010

Brenna, M., Price, R., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Sohn, Y. K., Kim, G. B., & Maas, R. (2014). Final magma storage depth modulation of explosivity and trachyte—phonolite genesis at an intraplate volcano: A case study from Ulleung Island, South Korea. Journal of Petrology, 55(4), 709-747. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egu004

Brenna, M., & Gee, M. A. M. (2014). Dyke-diatreme transition in monogenetic volcanoes: Insights from the Hillier Bay volcanic complex, Western Australia. Bulletin of Volcanology, 76(9), 853. doi: 10.1007/s00445-014-0853-3

Pardo, N., Cronin, S. J., Németh, K., Brenna, M., Schipper, C. I., Breard, E., White, J. D. L., … Auer, A., … Wallace, C. (2014). Perils in distinguishing phreatic from phreatomagmatic ash: Insights into the eruption mechanisms of the 6 August 2012 Mt. Tongariro eruption, New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 286, 397-414. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.05.001

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Scott, J. M., Brenna, M., Waight, T. E., Palin, J. M., Van der Meer, Q. H. A., Cooper, A. F., & Münker, C. (2014). The lithospheric mantle beneath Zealandia and its role in HIMU-like intraplate magmatism. In K. A. Holt (Ed.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 139A, (pp. 95-96). Takaka, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

Lister, A., Prior, D., McNamara, D., & Brenna, M. (2014). 3D reconstruction of geothermal calcite veins using EBSD, chemical data and other machines that go ping. In K. A. Holt (Ed.), Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication. 139A, (pp. 65-66). Takaka, New Zealand: GSNZ. [Abstract]

McNamara, D., Lister, A., Prior, D., & Brenna, M. (2014). Fracture sealing in geothermal systems: A combined EBSD and chemical approach. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 47th Annual Fall Meeting. Retrieved from http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2014/

2012

Journal - Research Article

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Sohn, Y. K., & Maas, R. (2012). Spatio-temporal evolution of a dispersed magmatic system and its implications for volcano growth, Jeju Island Volcanic Field, Korea. Lithos, 148, 337-352. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2012.06.021

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Maas, R., & Sohn, Y. K. (2012). How small-volume basaltic magmatic systems develop: A case study from the Jeju Island volcanic field, Korea. Journal of Petrology, 53(5), 985-1018. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egs007

Sohn, Y. K., Cronin, S. J., Brenna, M., Smith, I. E. M., Németh, K., White, J. D. L., Murtagh, R. M., … Kwon, C. W. (2012). Ilchulbong tuff cone, Jeju Island, Korea, revisited: A compound monogenetic volcano involving multiple magma pulses, shifting vents, and discrete eruptive phases. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 124(3-4), 259-274. doi: 10.1130/B30447.1

2011

Journal - Research Article

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Németh, K., Smith, I. E. M., & Sohn, Y. K. (2011). The influence of magma plumbing complexity on monogenetic eruptions, Jeju Island, Korea. Terra Nova, 23(2), 70-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2010.00985.x

2010

Journal - Research Article

Brenna, M., Cronin, S. J., Smith, I. E. M., Sohn, Y. K., & Németh, K. (2010). Mechanisms driving polymagmatic activity at a monogenetic volcano, Udo, Jeju Island, South Korea. Contributions to Mineralogy & Petrology, 160(6), 931-950. doi: 10.1007/s00410-010-0515-1

Németh, K., Cronin, S. J., Haller, M. J., Brenna, M., & Csillag, G. (2010). Modern analogues for Miocene to Pleistocene alkali basaltic phreatomagmatic fields in the Pannonian Basin: “Soft-substrate” to “combined” aquifer controlled phreatomagmatism in intraplate volcanic fields. Central European Journal of Geosciences, 2(3), 339-361. doi: 10.2478/v10085-010-0013-8

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Sohn, Y., Brenna, M., Smith, I. E., Nemeth, K., White, J. D., Murtagh, R., … Cronin, S. J. (2010). Ilchulbong tuff cone, Jeju Island, Korea, revisited: A compound monogenetic volcano involving multiple magma batches, shifting vents, and discrete eruptive phases. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm10/waisfm10.html