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
Atmospheric contribution of gas emissions from Augustine volcano, Alaska during the 2006 eruption
2006 volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
Database for the Geologic Map of the Summit Region of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Late pleistocene and holocene caldera-forming eruptions of Okmok Caldera, Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Geothermal disruption of summit glaciers at Mount Spurr Volcano, 2004-6: An unusual manifestation of volcanic unrest
Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, 2005
Quiescent deformation of the Aniakchak Caldera, Alaska mapped by InSAR
2002 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
2001 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
2003 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
2004 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory - Expanded monitoring of volcanoes yields results
Science and Products
- Maps
- Publications
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Atmospheric contribution of gas emissions from Augustine volcano, Alaska during the 2006 eruption
Airborne surveillance of gas emissions from Augustine for SO2, CO2 and H2S showed no evidence of anomalous degassing from 1990 through May 2005. By December 20, 2005, Augustine was degassing 660 td−1 of SO2, and ten times that by January 4, 2006. The highest SO2 emission rate measured during the 2006 eruption was 8650 td−1 (March 1); for CO2, 13000 td−1 (March 9), and H2S, 8 td−1 (January 19). ThiAuthorsK.A. McGee, M.P. Doukas, R. G. McGimsey, C. A. Neal, R.L. Wessels2006 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, and volcanic unrest at or near nine separate volcanic centers in Alaska during 2006. A significant explosive eruption at Augustine Volcano in Cook Inlet marked the first eruption within several hundred kilometers of principal population centers in Alaska since 1992. Glaciated Fourpeaked Mountain, a volcano thought toAuthorsChristina A. Neal, Robert G. McGimsey, James P. Dixon, Alexander Manevich, Alexander RybinDatabase for the Geologic Map of the Summit Region of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
INTRODUCTION The area covered by this map includes parts of four U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5' topographic quadrangles (Kilauea Crater, Volcano, Ka`u Desert, and Makaopuhi). It encompasses the summit, upper rift zones, and Koa`e Fault System of Kilauea Volcano and a part of the adjacent, southeast flank of Mauna Loa Volcano. The map is dominated by products of eruptions from Kilauea Volcano,AuthorsDillon R. Dutton, David W. Ramsey, Peggy E. Bruggman, Tracey J. Felger, Ellen Lougee, Sandy Margriter, Patrick Showalter, Christina A. Neal, John P. LockwoodLate pleistocene and holocene caldera-forming eruptions of Okmok Caldera, Aleutian Islands, Alaska
This chapter contains sections titled:IntroductionGeologic settingField and Analytical MethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionsAuthorsJessica F. Larsen, Christina A. Neal, Janet Schaefer, Jim Beget, Chris NyeGeothermal disruption of summit glaciers at Mount Spurr Volcano, 2004-6: An unusual manifestation of volcanic unrest
Mount Spurr, a 3,374-m-high stratovolcano in the Cook Inlet region of Alaska, showed signs of volcanic unrest beginning in 2004 and lasting through 2006. These signs included increases in heat flow, seismicity, and gas flux, which we interpret as the results of a magmatic intrusion in mid-2004. In response, debris-laden meltwater beneath the glacier in Mount Spurr's geothermally active summit basiAuthorsMichelle L. Coombs, Christina A. Neal, Rick L. Wessels, Robert G. McGimseyStudies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, 2005
Summary The collection of papers that follows continues the series of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigative reports in Alaska under the broad umbrella of the geologic sciences. This series represents new and sometimes-preliminary findings that are of interest to Earth scientists in academia, government, and industry; to land and resource managers; and to the general public. The reports preseAuthorsDavid W. Houseknecht, Kenneth J. Bird, Michelle L. Coombs, Christina A. Neal, Rick L. Wessels, Robert G. McGimsey, John F. Slack, W.C. Pat Shanks, Susan M. Karl, Pamela A. Gemery, Peter E. Bittenbender, W. Ian Ridley, W. Matthew Burns, Daniel O. Hayba, Elisabeth L. Rowan, Robert A. Ayuso, Peter J. Haeussler, Gregory A. Wandless, Anna ColvinQuiescent deformation of the Aniakchak Caldera, Alaska mapped by InSAR
The 10-km-wide caldera of the historically active Aniakchak volcano, Alaska, subsides ∼13 mm/yr, based on data from 19 European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-1 and ERS-2) interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) images from 1992 through 2002. The pattern of subsidence does not reflect the distribution of pyroclastic deposits from the last eruption in 1931 and therefore is not related to coAuthorsOh-Ig Kwoun, Zhong Lu, Christina A. Neal, Charles W. Wicks2002 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
No abstract available.AuthorsChristina A. Neal, Robert G. McGimsey, Olga Girina2001 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors the more than 40 historically active volcanoes of the Aleutian Arc. Of these, 22 are monitored with short-period seismic instrument networks as of the end of 2001. The AVO core monitoring program also includes daily analysis of satellite imagery, observation overflights, compilation of pilot reports and reports from local residents and mariners. In 200AuthorsRobert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal, Olga Girina2003 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors the more than 40 historically active volcanoes of the Aleutian Arc. Of these, 24 were considered monitored in real time with short-period seismic instrument networks as of the end of 2003. The AVO core monitoring program also includes daily analysis of satellite imagery, observation over flights, and compilation of pilot reports and reports from localAuthorsRobert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal, Olga Girina2004 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
No abstract available.AuthorsChristina A. Neal, Robert G. McGimsey, Jim Dixon, Dmitry MelnikovThe Alaska Volcano Observatory - Expanded monitoring of volcanoes yields results
Recent explosive eruptions at some of Alaska's 52 historically active volcanoes have significantly affected air traffic over the North Pacific, as well as Alaska's oil, power, and fishing industries and local communities. Since its founding in the late 1980s, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has installed new monitoring networks and used satellite data to track activity at Alaska's volcanoes,AuthorsSteven R. Brantley, Robert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal - 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