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Alexa Van Eaton, Ph.D.

I am a physical volcanologist focusing on field-based geology to shed light on the behavior of volcanic eruptions. I use stratigraphic studies to piece together eruptive processes, a variety of observational tools to characterize active eruptions, and numerical models to examine the internal dynamics of volcanic plumes. 

Some current projects include:

  • Volcanic lightning as a means of tracking eruption style and hazards 
  • Investigating ash aggregation and impacts on the lifetime of volcanic clouds 
  • Stratigraphy of eruptive processes at Cascades volcanoes, including Mount St. Helens and Glacier Peak 
  • Satellite detection of umbrella cloud growth to determine mass eruption rates 
  • Numerical modeling of microphysical processes inside volcanic plumes