Christina A. Neal
I have 38 years of experience as a USGS volcanologist. As the Volcano Science Center Director, I oversee the work of 170 employees at five U.S. volcano observatories and the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program. I am responsible for science and operational planning; workforce development; improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and preparing the USGS for U.S. volcanic eruptions.
I have worked for the USGS on various aspects of volcanology, eruption response, and hazard assessment and risk mitigation since 1983. I was introduced to volcanoes in college looking at Viking Orbiter images of Olympus Mons on Mars. My first Earthly volcano was Mount St. Helens where I spent the summer of 1982 studying small-volume pyroclastic flow deposits from 1980. I learned about lava and volcano monitoring as an assistant geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in the early days of the Pu`u`O`o eruption and mapped the summit and southwest rift zone of Kīlauea Volcano as part of the Big Island Geologic Mapping Project working for Ed Wolfe. In 1985, I spent a month at sea on an ALVIN expedition to the active propagating rift system near the Galapagos at 95.5W.
I moved to the new Alaska Volcano Observatory in 1990 where I participated in eruption response and physical volcanologic studies at Redoubt, Spurr, Augustine, Okmok, and other Aleutian volcanoes. My science focus was illuminating eruptive histories at Aniakchak and Okmok calderas, characterizing young pyroclastic deposits and processes, and hazard assessment. I developed strong interests and experience in managing volcano hazard information, developing warning systems, interagency coordination, and volcanic ash and aviation hazards. For some time, I led collaboration between the Alaska Volcano Observatory and colleagues in Kamchatka and Sakhalin to expand Russian eruption warning systems.
I served as the first USGS Geoscience Advisor to USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (1998-2000) where I developed and facilitated programs supporting disaster mitigation abroad. From 2009-2010, I completed two details to the USGS Western Regional Office as Chief of Staff and Deputy Regional Director. In 2011-2012, I represented the Volcano Hazards Program and Science Center during development of the USGS Hazards Mission Strategic Science Plan.
I served as Scientist-in-Charge of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory from 2015-2020, overseeing a staff of 30 and managing response to the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea. During my tenure, I focused on hiring a new generation of HVO scientists, planning for new facilities and science initiatives following Congressional funding in the aftermath of the 2018 event, and preparing for a Mauna Loa eruption.
I returned to Alaska in 2020 and became Center Director in May 2021. My focus at this time is preparing for growth that may occur as part of the Congressionally authorized National Volcano Early Warning System and ensuring adequate support for our workforce to carry out the VSC goals to better understand volcanic processes and hazards, and provide timely guidance and information to help protect lives and property.
Professional Experience
2021 - Present, Volcano Science Center Director
2015 - 2020, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge
Education and Certifications
Sc.B, Geological Sciences, Brown University, 1981
M.S. Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, 1986
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of Ameria (Fellow)
American Geophysical Union
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior
Honors and Awards
2019 Samuel J. Heymann Service to America finalist, HVO staff
2019 DOI Unit Award for Excellence of Service, HVO staff, for Kīlauea response
2016 Elected Fellow, Geological Society of America
2006 Superior Service Award, DOI
Science and Products
Kīlauea summit eruption—Lava returns to Halemaʻumaʻu
2014 volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The 2014-2015 Pāhoa lava flow crisis at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i: Disaster avoided and lessons learned
At the foot of the smoking mountains: The 2014 scientific investigations in the Islands of the Four Mountains
Water-magma interaction and plume processes in the 2008 Okmok eruption, Alaska
Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve: Geologic resources inventory report
2013 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The 2008 phreatomagmatic eruption of Okmok volcano, Aleutian Islands, Alaska: Chronology, deposits, and landform changes
Postglacial eruptive history, geochemistry, and recent seismicity of Aniakchak volcano, Alaska Peninsula
2012 volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
2011 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
2010 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
Science and Products
- Maps
- Publications
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Kīlauea summit eruption—Lava returns to Halemaʻumaʻu
In March 2008, a new volcanic vent opened within Halemaʻumaʻu, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaiʻi. This new vent is one of two ongoing eruptions on the volcano. The other is on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone, where vents have been erupting nearly nonstop since 1983. The duration of these simultaneous summit and rift zone eruptions on KīlAuthorsJanet L. Babb, Stephen M. Wessells, Christina A. Neal2014 volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, and seismic events at 18 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2014. The most notable volcanic activity consisted of intermittent ash eruptions from long-active Cleveland and Shishaldin Volcanoes in the Aleutian Islands, and two eruptive episodes at Pavlof Volcano on the Alaska PeninsuAuthorsCheryl E. Cameron, James P. Dixon, Christina A. Neal, Christopher F. Waythomas, Janet R. Schaefer, Robert G. McGimseyThe 2014-2015 Pāhoa lava flow crisis at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i: Disaster avoided and lessons learned
Lava flow crises are nothing new on the Island of Hawai‘i, where their destructive force has been demonstrated repeatedly over the past several hundred years. The 2014–2015 Pāhoa lava flow crisis, however, was unique in terms of its societal impact and volcanological characteristics. Despite low effusion rates, a long-lived lava flow whose extent reached 20 km (the longest at Kīlauea Volcano in thAuthorsMichael P. Poland, Tim R. Orr, James P. Kauahikaua, Steven R. Brantley, Janet L. Babb, Matthew R. Patrick, Christina A. Neal, Kyle R. Anderson, Loren Antolik, Matthew K. Burgess, Tamar Elias, Steven Fuke, Pauline Fukunaga, Ingrid A. Johanson, Marian Kagimoto, Kevan P. Kamibayashi, Lopaka Lee, Asta Miklius, William Million, Cyril J. Moniz, Paul G. Okubo, Andrew Sutton, T. Jane Takahashi, Weston A. Thelen, Willam Tollett, Frank A. TrusdellAt the foot of the smoking mountains: The 2014 scientific investigations in the Islands of the Four Mountains
An interdisciplinary research team conducted archaeological, geological, and biological investigations in the Islands of the Four Mountains, Alaska during the summer of 2014 as part of a three-year project to study long-term geological and ecological patterns and processes with respect to human settlement. Researchers investigated three archaeological sites on Chuginadak Island (SAM-0014, SAM-0016AuthorsVirginia Hatfield, Kale Bruner, Dixie West, Arkady Savinetsky, Olga Krylovich, Bulat Khasanov, Dmitry Vasyukov, Zhanna Antipushina, Mitsuru Okuno, Susan Crockford, Kirsten Nicolaysen, Breanyn MacInnes, Lyman Persico, Pavel Izbekov, Christina A. Neal, Thomas Bartlett, Lydia Loopesko, Anne FultonWater-magma interaction and plume processes in the 2008 Okmok eruption, Alaska
Eruptions of similar explosivity can have divergent effects on the surroundings due to differences in the behavior of the tephra in the eruption column and atmosphere. Okmok volcano, located on Umnak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands, erupted explosively between 12 July and 19 August 2008. The basaltic andesitic eruption ejected ∼0.24 km3dense rock equivalent (DRE) of tephra, primarily directAuthorsJoel A. Unema, Michael H. Ort, Jessica D Larsen, Christina A. Neal, Janet R. SchaeferAniakchak National Monument and Preserve: Geologic resources inventory report
This GRI report is a companion document to previously completed GRI digital geologic map data. It was written for resource managers to support science-informed decision making. It may also be useful for interpretation. The report was prepared using available geologic information, and the NPS Geologic Resources Division conducted no new fieldwork in association with its preparation. Sections of theAuthorsChad P. Hults, Christina A. Neal2013 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, and seismic events at 18 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2013. Beginning with the 2013 AVO Summary of Events, the annual description of the AVO seismograph network and activity, once a stand-alone publication, is now part of this report. Because of this change, the annual summary now contains an expAuthorsJames P. Dixon, Cheryl Cameron, Robert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal, Chris WaythomasThe 2008 phreatomagmatic eruption of Okmok volcano, Aleutian Islands, Alaska: Chronology, deposits, and landform changes
Okmok volcano, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, explosively erupted over a five-week period between July 12 and August 23, 2008. The eruption was predominantly phreatomagmatic, producing fine-grained tephra that covered most of northeastern Umnak Island. The eruption had a maximum Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4, with eruption column heights up to 16 km during the opening phase. Several craters andAuthorsJessica Larsen, Christina A. Neal, Janet R. Schaefer, Max Kaufman, Zhong LuPostglacial eruptive history, geochemistry, and recent seismicity of Aniakchak volcano, Alaska Peninsula
Aniakchak is a Pleistocene to Holocene composite volcano of the Alaska–Aleutian arc that suffered at least one caldera-forming eruption in postglacial time and last erupted in 1931. The oldest recognized postglacial eruption, Aniakchak I, produced andesite ignimbrite ca. 9,500–7,500 14C yr B.P. Subsequently, a vent northeast of the summit issued dacite–rhyodacite magma ca. 7,000 14C yr B.P. mainlyAuthorsCharles R. Bacon, Christina A. Neal, Thomas P. Miller, Robert G. McGimsey, Christopher J. Nye2012 volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, volcanic unrest, or suspected unrest at 11 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2012. Of the two verified eruptions, one (Cleveland) was clearly magmatic and the other (Kanaga) was most likely a single phreatic explosion. Two other volcanoes had notable seismic swarms that probably were caused by magmatic intrusions (IliAuthorsJulie A. Herrick, Christina A. Neal, Cheryl E. Cameron, James P. Dixon, Robert G. McGimsey2011 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, and volcanic unrest at or near three separate volcanic centers in Alaska during 2011. The year was highlighted by the unrest and eruption of Cleveland Volcano in the central Aleutian Islands. AVO annual summaries no longer report on activity at Russian volcanoes.AuthorsRobert G. McGimsey, J. Zebulon Maharrey, Christina A. Neal2010 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest at 12 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2010. The most notable volcanic activity consisted of intermittent ash emissions from long-active Cleveland volcano in the Aleutian Islands. AVO staff also participated in hazard communication regarding eruptions or unrest at seven volcanoes iAuthorsChristina A. Neal, Julie Herrick, O.A. Girina, Marina Chibisova, Alexander Rybin, Robert G. McGimsey, Jim Dixon - News
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*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government