Angie Diefenbach
I am a geologist who specializes in photogrammetry techniques to monitor active volcanoes, as well as volcanic hazard analyses and threat assessments.
I work for the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP), a partnership between the USGS and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). I also serve as project lead for the USGS Volcano Science Center’s Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) Project, which oversees UAS volcano monitoring activities across all US volcano observatories. My job is multifaceted and involves volcano crisis response, research, teaching, monitoring, and hazards communication and outreach. My research focuses on image analysis techniques to monitor active volcanoes. I utilize various platforms, from UAS “drones” to helicopters to satellites to acquire images and a technique called photogrammetry to create high-resolution topographic models of volcanoes. During eruptions I create successive models to measure volumes and effusion rates of lava domes and flows for hazard mitigation and scientific investigation. I am the primary data analyst for VDAP’s International Volcano Activity Notification System (IVANS) where I prepare synoptic hazard analyses of developing volcanic unrest and eruptions and communicate information to government officials and international aid agencies through situation reports. I also work with partner observatories around the world to develop frameworks for monitoring, mapping, and mitigation strategies through national-scale volcanic threat assessments. Additionally, I teach international workshops on photogrammetry and UAS techniques and for the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) international training program.
Professional Experience
Since 2010: USAID-USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, Cascades Volcano Observatory
2007-2010: USGS Volcano Hazards Program, Cascades Volcano Observatory
2006-2007: Graduate Teaching Assistant and Geology Department GIS Specialist, Western Washington University
2005-2006: National Science Foundation GK-12 Catalyst for Reform Fellow, Western Washington University
2005-2005: National Association of Geoscience Teachers intern, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
2004-2006: Field Engineer and Permitting Specialist, UNAVCO – NSF Earthscope Plate Boundary Observatory, PNW office
2002-2004: Geochemistry Laboratory Research Assistant and Geology Department Clerical Assistant, Central Washington University
Education and Certifications
M.S., Geology, Western Washington University, 2007
B.S., Geology, Central Washington University, 2004
Honors and Awards
Department of the Interior Exemplary Act Award (2019)
Departmental Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aviation Safety - DOI-USGS UAS Kīlauea Response Team (2019)
STAR Award for Role in the Response to the 2018 Eruption of Kīlauea (2019)
NAGC Blue Pencil Award - Soft or Hard Cover Book - 2018 Update to the U.S. Geological Survey National Volcanic Threat Assessment (2019)
NAGC Blue Pencil Award - Technical or Statistical Report - 2018 Update to the U.S. Geological Survey National Volcanic Threat Assessment (2019)
USGS National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program Award (2016)
WWU Innovations in Technology Graduate Thesis Award (2007)
CWU Center for Excellence in Leadership Outstanding Student Award (2003)
Ronald E. McNair Scholar (2001-2003)
Washington State Promise Scholar (1999-2002)
Science and Products
Airborne lidar survey of St Vincent, Eastern Caribbean, following the 2020-21 eruption of La Soufrière Volcano
Historical video footage of Mount St. Helens volcano, Washington, 1980-1982
Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) video of the 2018 summit eruption of K?lauea Volcano, Hawaii
Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) video of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of K'lauea Volcano, Hawaii
Cyclic lava effusion during the 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano: data release
Aleutian Arc Fluid Geochemical Data
Twenty years of explosive-effusive activity at El Reventador volcano (Ecuador) recorded in its geomorphology
Shifts in activity at long-active, open-vent volcanoes are difficult to forecast because precursory signals are enigmatic and can be lost in and amongst daily activity. Here, we propose that crater and vent morphologies, along with summit height, can help us bring some insights into future activity at one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes El Reventador. On 3 November 2002, El Reventador volcano e
High-resolution InSAR reveals localized pre-eruptive deformation inside the crater of Agung Volcano, Indonesia
Lava effusion rate evolution and erupted volume during the 2018 Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption
From lava to water: A new era at Kīlauea
Volcanological applications of unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS): Developments, strategies, and future challenges
Seismo-acoustic evidence for vent drying during shallow submarine eruptions at Bogoslof volcano, Alaska
Cyclic lava effusion during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano
The 2017-19 activity at Mount Agung in Bali (Indonesia): Intense unrest, monitoring, crisis response, evacuation, and eruption
The 2018 rift eruption and summit collapse of Kilauea Volcano
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners. This update
Geomorphic expression of rapid Holocene silicic magma reservoir growth beneath Laguna del Maule, Chile
Construction of probabilistic event trees for eruption forecasting at Sinabung volcano, Indonesia 2013–14
Science and Products
Airborne lidar survey of St Vincent, Eastern Caribbean, following the 2020-21 eruption of La Soufrière Volcano
Historical video footage of Mount St. Helens volcano, Washington, 1980-1982
Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) video of the 2018 summit eruption of K?lauea Volcano, Hawaii
Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) video of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of K'lauea Volcano, Hawaii
Cyclic lava effusion during the 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano: data release
Aleutian Arc Fluid Geochemical Data
Twenty years of explosive-effusive activity at El Reventador volcano (Ecuador) recorded in its geomorphology
Shifts in activity at long-active, open-vent volcanoes are difficult to forecast because precursory signals are enigmatic and can be lost in and amongst daily activity. Here, we propose that crater and vent morphologies, along with summit height, can help us bring some insights into future activity at one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes El Reventador. On 3 November 2002, El Reventador volcano e
High-resolution InSAR reveals localized pre-eruptive deformation inside the crater of Agung Volcano, Indonesia
Lava effusion rate evolution and erupted volume during the 2018 Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption
From lava to water: A new era at Kīlauea
Volcanological applications of unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS): Developments, strategies, and future challenges
Seismo-acoustic evidence for vent drying during shallow submarine eruptions at Bogoslof volcano, Alaska
Cyclic lava effusion during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano
The 2017-19 activity at Mount Agung in Bali (Indonesia): Intense unrest, monitoring, crisis response, evacuation, and eruption
The 2018 rift eruption and summit collapse of Kilauea Volcano
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners. This update