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