Hiroko Kitajima

About

Hiroko Kitajima is an Associate Professor and Texas A&M Presidential Impact Fellow in the Department of Geology & Geophysics at Texas A&M University. She has been serving as a faculty member since 2020, with prior experience as an Assistant Professor at the same institution from 2014 to 2020, and as a researcher at the Geological Survey of Japan from 2012 to 2014. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University obtained in 2010 and a B.S. from Kyoto University in 2004. Her research interests focus on experimental rock and soil mechanics, specifically characterizing the hydromechanical properties of rocks and sediments deformed under various pressure, temperature, and strain rate conditions. She combines laboratory experimental work with numerical modeling, geophysical data, and field work, including ocean and continental drilling projects. Her current research aims to understand the interaction between sediment and rock deformation and fluid flow under complex loading conditions associated with earthquakes in subduction zones, as well as the micromechanics of compaction, shear deformation, and granular materials at high strain rates and pressures. Dr. Kitajima has received notable awards such as the 2022 Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize and the 2019 NSF CAREER Award, reflecting her significant contributions to geophysical research.

Research topics

• Geology
• Biological system
• Petrology
• Physics
• Geochemistry
• History
• Paleontology
• Biology
• Thermodynamics
• Seismology

Selected publications

• Slow slip source characterized by lithological and geometric heterogeneity

  Science Advances · 2020 · 153 citations

  Slow slip events (SSEs) accommodate a significant proportion of tectonic plate motion at subduction zones, yet little is known about the faults that actually host them. The shallow depth (<2 km) of well-documented SSEs at the Hikurangi subduction zone offshore New Zealand offers a unique opportunity to link geophysical imaging of the subduction zone with direct access to incoming material that represents the megathrust fault rocks hosting slow slip. Two recent International Ocean Discovery Progr…

  DOI

• Expedition 358 summary

  Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program. Expedition reports · 2020 · 18 citations

  DOI

• Seafloor overthrusting causes ductile fault deformation and fault sealing along the Northern Hikurangi Margin

  Earth and Planetary Science Letters · 2022 · 14 citations

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Velocity‐Porosity Relations in Carbonate and Siliciclastic Subduction Zone Input Materials

  Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems · 2021-12-05 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract The mechanical, physical, and frictional properties of incoming materials play an important role in subduction zone structure and slip behavior because these properties influence the strength of the accretionary wedge and megathrust plate boundary faults. Incoming sediment sections often show an increase in compressional wave speed (V p ) and a decrease in porosity with depth due to consolidation. These relations allow seismic‐velocity models to be used to elucidate properties and condi…

  PublisherDOI

• The FUTURE of the US Marine Seafloor and Subseafloor Sampling Capabilities

  AGU Advances · 2025-05-21 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Recent changes in US oceanographic assets are impacting scientists' ability to access seafloor and sub‐seafloor materials and thus constraining progress on science critical for societal needs. Here we identify national infrastructure needs to address critical science questions. This commentary reports on community‐driven discussions that took place during the 3‐day FUTURE of US Seafloor Sampling Capabilities 2024 Workshop , which used an “all‐hands‐on‐deck” approach to assess seafloor a…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Experimental investigations on the deformation behavior of sediment in the shallow region of the Nankai, North Sumatra, and Aleutian subduction zones

  NSF · $234k · 2017–2020

Frequent coauthors

• Gregory F. Moore

  152 shared

• Michael B. Underwood

  135 shared

• Brandon Dugan

  Colorado School of Mines

  121 shared

• D. M. Saffer

  114 shared

• Katerina Petronotis

  112 shared

• Hung‐Yu Wu

  Tamkang University

  110 shared

• Philip M. Barnes

  National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

  109 shared

• Leah J. LeVay

  107 shared

Awards & honors

• 2022 Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling R…
• 2019 National Science Foundation CAREER Award
• 2010-2012 NSF-MARGINS/GeoPRISMS Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Similar researchers at Texas A&M University

• Ethan Grossmanh-40
• Frederick Chesterh-34
• Peter Knappetth-28