Christoph Kern is a Research Physicist for the USGS Volcano Science Center. His research focuses on measuring volcanic gas emissions and interpreting the results to gain insights into processes occurring within active volcanoes.
Christoph develops and applies remote sensing techniques to measure volcanic gas emissions. These contact-free methods allow gases to be measured from a distance, without the need for putting scientists or instrumentation into harm’s way at the summit of active volcanoes.
In addition to monitoring volcanoes in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Cascades Range, Christoph works with the USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program to provide instrumentation and advice to foreign counterparts. He is currently serving on the Steering Committee of the Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change (NOVAC), a global community of volcano observatories and research institutions that runs the largest volcanic gas monitoring network in the world.
Christoph is always striving to find new measurement techniques, retrieval methods, and analysis tools to detect gas signals diagnostic of volcanic unrest. He is also interested in how volcanic gases affect atmospheric chemistry and climate on local, regional, and global scales.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Heidelberg, Germany
Science and Products
Airborne Survey of Gas Emissions from Volcanoes in the Cook Inlet and Northern Alaska Peninsula, 2021
On 16 July 2021, measurements were made of the volcanic gases emitted from Iliamna Volcano, Mount Douglas, Mount Martin, and Mount Mageik (Alaska, USA) from aboard a fixed-wing aircraft. Two zenith-facing differential optical absorption spectrometers were used to measure incident scattered solar ultraviolet radiation while traversing beneath the gas plumes on multiple occasions. These data were us
Airborne Volcanic Gas Measurements at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska 2004-2017
This release presents data collected during airborne volcanic gas monitoring flights at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska, that were completed between 2004-2017. Instrumented fixed-wing aircraft were used to collect in situ trace gas measurements of volcanic carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The sensor payload also included an upward-looking correlation spectrometer (CO
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy data acquired during the 2018 rift eruption of Kilauea Volcano
A fissure eruption occurred in K?lauea Volcano?s Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) from April to September 2018. During this event, volcanic gases were emitted from three active areas on the volcano. The most intense degassing occurred at the active fissures in the LERZ, thus causing parts of Hawai?i Island?s Puna district to be exposed to life-threatening sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations. At the sam
Volcanic Gas Measurements at Mount Cleveland, Alaska 2016
On 25 July 2016, helicopter-based measurements were made of the volcanic gases emitted from Mount Cleveland, Alaska, USA. An upward-looking differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) system was used to measure incident scattered solar ultraviolet radiation while traversing beneath the plume on multiple occasions. These data were used to derive volcanic SO2 emission rates. Additionally, a
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy data acquired at Mount Pagan volcano (Mariana Islands) on 6 April 2014
On 6 April 2014, a Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) instrument was used to measure the radiance of scattered solar radiation passing through the plume emitted from Mount Pagan volcano, Mariana Islands. Spectra were recorded in the ultraviolet (UV: 240 - 390 nm) wavelength range at 0.6 nm resolution. A scanner was used to scan the spectrometer's viewing direction vertically throu
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy data acquired at Sabancaya Volcano (Peru) on 21 May 2016
On 21 May 2016, two Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) instruments were used to measure the radiance of scattered solar radiation passing through the plume emitted from Sabancaya Volcano, Peru. Spectra were recorded in the ultraviolet (UV: 280 425 nm) and visible (Vis: 450 780 nm) wavelength ranges at 0.6 and 1.2 nm resolution, respectively. Two distinct experiments were perform
Volcanic Gas Measurements at Mount Cleveland, 14-15 August 2015
Helicopter-based, upward-looking differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements of scattered solar ultraviolet radiation and Multi-Component Gas Analyzer System (Multi-GAS) measurements of trace gas concentrations were made while traversing beneath and through the gas plume emitted from Mount Cleveland volcano on 14-15 August, 2016. Radiance spectra and gas compositions were reco
Filter Total Items: 38
Editorial: Remote sensing of volcanic gas emissions from the ground, air, and space
When magma rises in volcanic systems, volatile species exsolve from the melt and are outgassed to the atmosphere. The melt composition and temperature, depth at which degassing occurs, extent of gas-water-rock interactions, and volume of ascending magma are all factors that determine the composition and rate of gas emissions at the surface. Interpreted in a petrological framework, gas measurements
Authors
Christoph Kern, Santiago Arellano, Robin Campion, Silvana Hidalgo, Ryunosuke Kazahaya
Tracking carbon from subduction to outgassing along the Aleutian-Alaska Volcanic Arc
Subduction transports volatiles between Earth’s mantle, crust, and atmosphere, ultimately creating a habitable Earth. We use isotopes to track carbon from subduction to outgassing along the Aleutian-Alaska Arc. We find substantial along-strike variations in the isotopic composition of volcanic gases, explained by different recycling efficiencies of subducting carbon to the atmosphere via arc volca
Authors
Taryn Lopez, Tobias P. Fischer, Terry Plank, Alberto Malinverno, Andrea Rizzo, Daniel J. Rasmussen, Elizabeth Cottrell, Cynthia Werner, Christoph Kern, Deborah Bergfeld, Tehnuka Ilanko, Janine L. Andrys, Katherine A. Kelley
An algorithm for correction of atmospheric scattering dilution effects in volcanic gas emission measurements using skylight differential optical absorption spectroscopy
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) is commonly used to measure gas emissions from volcanoes. DOAS instruments measure the absorption of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation scattered in the atmosphere by sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other trace gases contained in volcanic plumes. The standard spectral retrieval methods assume that all measured light comes from behind the plume and has pas
Authors
Bo Galle, Santiago Arellano, Mattias Johansson, Christoph Kern, Melissa Pfeffer
Weak degassing from remote Alaska volcanoes characterized with a new airborne Imaging DOAS instrument and a suite of in situ sensors
Gas emissions from volcanoes occur when volatile species exsolve from magmatic and hydrothermal systems and make their way to the surface. Measurements of emitted gases therefore provide insights into volcanic processes. On 16 July 2021, we made airborne measurements of weak gas plumes emitted from four remote Alaska volcanoes: Iliamna Volcano, Mount Douglas, Mount Martin, and Mount Mageik. Integr
Authors
Christoph Kern, Peter J. Kelly
Estimates of volcanic mercury emissions from Redoubt Volcano, Augustine Volcano, and Mount Spurr eruption ash
Ash is a potential sink of volcanically sourced atmospheric mercury (Hg), and the concentration of particle-bound Hg may provide constraints on Hg emissions during eruptions. We analyze Hg concentrations in 227 bulk ash samples from the Mount Spurr (1992), Redoubt Volcano (2009), and Augustine Volcano (2006) volcanic eruptions to investigate large-scale spatial, temporal, and volcanic-source trend
Authors
D Skye Kushner, Taryn Lopez, Kristi L. Wallace, David Damby, Christoph Kern, Cheryl Cameron
Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates
Dome-building volcanic eruptions are often associated with frequent Vulcanian explosions, which constitute a substantial threat to proximal communities. One proposed mechanism driving such explosions is the sealing of the shallow volcanic system followed by pressurization due to gas accumulation beneath the seal. We investigate this hypothesis at Sinabung Volcano (Sumatra, Indonesia), which has be
Authors
Syegi Kunrat, Christoph Kern, Hilma Alfianti, Allan Lerner
A golden era for volcanic gas geochemistry?
The exsolution, rise, expansion, and separation of volatiles from magma provides the driving force behind both effusive and explosive volcanic eruptions. The field of volcanic gas geochemistry therefore plays a key role in understanding volcanism. In this article, we summarize the most important findings of the past few decades and how these shape today’s understanding of volcanic degassing. We ar
Authors
Christoph Kern, Alessandro Aiuppa, J. Maarten de Moor
Characterizing unrest: A retrospective look at 20 years of gas emissions and seismicity at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska
Episodes of unrest are not as well documented as eruptions at most volcanoes globally. Iliamna is an andesitic stratovolcano in the Cook Inlet of Alaska that has experienced several episodes of unrest. Unrest in 1996 was previously studied. Here we present data from a minor period of unrest between 2002 and 2006, and a more significant period in 2012. None of the episodes led to an eruption. A dik
Authors
Cynthia Werner, John Power, Peter J. Kelly, Stephanie Prejean, Christoph Kern
The petrologic and degassing behavior of sulfur and other magmatic volatiles from the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea, Hawaiʻi: Melt concentrations, magma storage depths, and magma recycling
Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption produced exceptionally high lava effusion rates and record-setting SO2 emissions. The eruption involved a diverse range of magmas, including primitive basalts sourced from Kīlauea’s summit reservoirs. We analyzed LERZ matrix glasses, melt inclusions, and host minerals to identify melt volatile contents and magma storage depths. The LERZ g
Authors
Allan Lerner, Paul J. Wallace, Thomas Shea, Adrien Mourey, Peter J. Kelly, Patricia Nadeau, Tamar Elias, Christoph Kern, Laura E. Clor, Cheryl Gansecki, R. Lopaka Lee, Lowell Moore, Cynthia A. Werner
Synoptic analysis of a decade of daily measurements of SO2 emission in the troposphere from volcanoes of the global ground-based Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change
Volcanic plumes are common and far-reaching manifestations of volcanic activity during and between eruptions. Observations of the rate of emission and composition of volcanic plumes are essential to recognize and, in some cases, predict the state of volcanic activity. Measurements of the size and location of the plumes are important to assess the impact of the emission from sporadic or localized e
Authors
Santiago Arellano, Bo Galle, Fredy Apaza, Geoffroy Avard, Charlotte Barrington, Nicole Bobrowski, Claudia Bucarey, Viviana Burbano, Mike Burton, Zoraida Chacon, Gustavo Chigna, Christian Joseph Clarito, Vladimir Conde, Fidel Costa, Maarten de Moor, Hugo Delgado-Granados, Andrea Di Muro, D. Fernandez, Gustavo Garzon, Hendra Gunawan, Nia Haerani, Thor Hansteen, Silvana Hidalgo, Salvatore Inguaggiato, Mattias Johansson, Christoph Kern, Manne Kihlman, Philippe Kowalski, Pablo Masias, Francisco Montalvo, Joakim Moller, Ulrich Platt, Claudia Rivera, Armando Saballos, Giuseppe Salerno, Benoit Taisne, Freddy Vasconez, Gabriela Velazquez, Fabio Vita, Mathieu M. Yalire
Quantifying gas emissions associated with the 2018 rift eruption of Kīlauea Volcano using ground-based DOAS measurements
Starting on 3 May 2018, a series of eruptive fissures opened in Kīlauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone (LERZ). Over the course of the next 3 months, intense degassing accompanied lava effusion from these fissures. Here, we report on ground-based observations of the gas emissions associated with Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption. Visual observations combined with radiative transfer modeling show that ultravi
Authors
Christoph Kern, Allan Lerner, Tamar Elias, Patricia Nadeau, Lacey Holland, Peter J. Kelly, Cynthia Werner, Laura E. Clor, Michael Cappos
Linking subsurface to surface using gas emission and melt inclusion data at Mount Cleveland volcano, Alaska
Mount Cleveland is one of Alaska's most active volcanoes, yet little is known about the magmatic system driving persistent and dynamic volcanic activity. Volcanic gas and melt inclusion (MI) data from 2016 were combined to investigate shallow magmatic processes. SO2 emission rates were between 166 and 324 t/day and the H2O/SO2 was 600 ± 53, whereas CO2 and H2S were below detection. Olivine‐, clino
Authors
Cynthia Werner, Daniel J. Rasmussen, Terry Plank, Peter J. Kelly, Christoph Kern, Taryn Lopez, Jonas Gliss, John Power, Diana Roman, Pavel Izbekov, John J. Lyons
Science and Products
- Data
Airborne Survey of Gas Emissions from Volcanoes in the Cook Inlet and Northern Alaska Peninsula, 2021
On 16 July 2021, measurements were made of the volcanic gases emitted from Iliamna Volcano, Mount Douglas, Mount Martin, and Mount Mageik (Alaska, USA) from aboard a fixed-wing aircraft. Two zenith-facing differential optical absorption spectrometers were used to measure incident scattered solar ultraviolet radiation while traversing beneath the gas plumes on multiple occasions. These data were usAirborne Volcanic Gas Measurements at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska 2004-2017
This release presents data collected during airborne volcanic gas monitoring flights at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska, that were completed between 2004-2017. Instrumented fixed-wing aircraft were used to collect in situ trace gas measurements of volcanic carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The sensor payload also included an upward-looking correlation spectrometer (CODifferential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy data acquired during the 2018 rift eruption of Kilauea Volcano
A fissure eruption occurred in K?lauea Volcano?s Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) from April to September 2018. During this event, volcanic gases were emitted from three active areas on the volcano. The most intense degassing occurred at the active fissures in the LERZ, thus causing parts of Hawai?i Island?s Puna district to be exposed to life-threatening sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations. At the samVolcanic Gas Measurements at Mount Cleveland, Alaska 2016
On 25 July 2016, helicopter-based measurements were made of the volcanic gases emitted from Mount Cleveland, Alaska, USA. An upward-looking differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) system was used to measure incident scattered solar ultraviolet radiation while traversing beneath the plume on multiple occasions. These data were used to derive volcanic SO2 emission rates. Additionally, aDifferential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy data acquired at Mount Pagan volcano (Mariana Islands) on 6 April 2014
On 6 April 2014, a Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) instrument was used to measure the radiance of scattered solar radiation passing through the plume emitted from Mount Pagan volcano, Mariana Islands. Spectra were recorded in the ultraviolet (UV: 240 - 390 nm) wavelength range at 0.6 nm resolution. A scanner was used to scan the spectrometer's viewing direction vertically throuDifferential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy data acquired at Sabancaya Volcano (Peru) on 21 May 2016
On 21 May 2016, two Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) instruments were used to measure the radiance of scattered solar radiation passing through the plume emitted from Sabancaya Volcano, Peru. Spectra were recorded in the ultraviolet (UV: 280 425 nm) and visible (Vis: 450 780 nm) wavelength ranges at 0.6 and 1.2 nm resolution, respectively. Two distinct experiments were performVolcanic Gas Measurements at Mount Cleveland, 14-15 August 2015
Helicopter-based, upward-looking differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements of scattered solar ultraviolet radiation and Multi-Component Gas Analyzer System (Multi-GAS) measurements of trace gas concentrations were made while traversing beneath and through the gas plume emitted from Mount Cleveland volcano on 14-15 August, 2016. Radiance spectra and gas compositions were reco - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 38
Editorial: Remote sensing of volcanic gas emissions from the ground, air, and space
When magma rises in volcanic systems, volatile species exsolve from the melt and are outgassed to the atmosphere. The melt composition and temperature, depth at which degassing occurs, extent of gas-water-rock interactions, and volume of ascending magma are all factors that determine the composition and rate of gas emissions at the surface. Interpreted in a petrological framework, gas measurementsAuthorsChristoph Kern, Santiago Arellano, Robin Campion, Silvana Hidalgo, Ryunosuke KazahayaTracking carbon from subduction to outgassing along the Aleutian-Alaska Volcanic Arc
Subduction transports volatiles between Earth’s mantle, crust, and atmosphere, ultimately creating a habitable Earth. We use isotopes to track carbon from subduction to outgassing along the Aleutian-Alaska Arc. We find substantial along-strike variations in the isotopic composition of volcanic gases, explained by different recycling efficiencies of subducting carbon to the atmosphere via arc volcaAuthorsTaryn Lopez, Tobias P. Fischer, Terry Plank, Alberto Malinverno, Andrea Rizzo, Daniel J. Rasmussen, Elizabeth Cottrell, Cynthia Werner, Christoph Kern, Deborah Bergfeld, Tehnuka Ilanko, Janine L. Andrys, Katherine A. KelleyAn algorithm for correction of atmospheric scattering dilution effects in volcanic gas emission measurements using skylight differential optical absorption spectroscopy
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) is commonly used to measure gas emissions from volcanoes. DOAS instruments measure the absorption of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation scattered in the atmosphere by sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other trace gases contained in volcanic plumes. The standard spectral retrieval methods assume that all measured light comes from behind the plume and has pasAuthorsBo Galle, Santiago Arellano, Mattias Johansson, Christoph Kern, Melissa PfefferWeak degassing from remote Alaska volcanoes characterized with a new airborne Imaging DOAS instrument and a suite of in situ sensors
Gas emissions from volcanoes occur when volatile species exsolve from magmatic and hydrothermal systems and make their way to the surface. Measurements of emitted gases therefore provide insights into volcanic processes. On 16 July 2021, we made airborne measurements of weak gas plumes emitted from four remote Alaska volcanoes: Iliamna Volcano, Mount Douglas, Mount Martin, and Mount Mageik. IntegrAuthorsChristoph Kern, Peter J. KellyEstimates of volcanic mercury emissions from Redoubt Volcano, Augustine Volcano, and Mount Spurr eruption ash
Ash is a potential sink of volcanically sourced atmospheric mercury (Hg), and the concentration of particle-bound Hg may provide constraints on Hg emissions during eruptions. We analyze Hg concentrations in 227 bulk ash samples from the Mount Spurr (1992), Redoubt Volcano (2009), and Augustine Volcano (2006) volcanic eruptions to investigate large-scale spatial, temporal, and volcanic-source trendAuthorsD Skye Kushner, Taryn Lopez, Kristi L. Wallace, David Damby, Christoph Kern, Cheryl CameronForecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates
Dome-building volcanic eruptions are often associated with frequent Vulcanian explosions, which constitute a substantial threat to proximal communities. One proposed mechanism driving such explosions is the sealing of the shallow volcanic system followed by pressurization due to gas accumulation beneath the seal. We investigate this hypothesis at Sinabung Volcano (Sumatra, Indonesia), which has beAuthorsSyegi Kunrat, Christoph Kern, Hilma Alfianti, Allan LernerA golden era for volcanic gas geochemistry?
The exsolution, rise, expansion, and separation of volatiles from magma provides the driving force behind both effusive and explosive volcanic eruptions. The field of volcanic gas geochemistry therefore plays a key role in understanding volcanism. In this article, we summarize the most important findings of the past few decades and how these shape today’s understanding of volcanic degassing. We arAuthorsChristoph Kern, Alessandro Aiuppa, J. Maarten de MoorCharacterizing unrest: A retrospective look at 20 years of gas emissions and seismicity at Iliamna Volcano, Alaska
Episodes of unrest are not as well documented as eruptions at most volcanoes globally. Iliamna is an andesitic stratovolcano in the Cook Inlet of Alaska that has experienced several episodes of unrest. Unrest in 1996 was previously studied. Here we present data from a minor period of unrest between 2002 and 2006, and a more significant period in 2012. None of the episodes led to an eruption. A dikAuthorsCynthia Werner, John Power, Peter J. Kelly, Stephanie Prejean, Christoph KernThe petrologic and degassing behavior of sulfur and other magmatic volatiles from the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea, Hawaiʻi: Melt concentrations, magma storage depths, and magma recycling
Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption produced exceptionally high lava effusion rates and record-setting SO2 emissions. The eruption involved a diverse range of magmas, including primitive basalts sourced from Kīlauea’s summit reservoirs. We analyzed LERZ matrix glasses, melt inclusions, and host minerals to identify melt volatile contents and magma storage depths. The LERZ gAuthorsAllan Lerner, Paul J. Wallace, Thomas Shea, Adrien Mourey, Peter J. Kelly, Patricia Nadeau, Tamar Elias, Christoph Kern, Laura E. Clor, Cheryl Gansecki, R. Lopaka Lee, Lowell Moore, Cynthia A. WernerSynoptic analysis of a decade of daily measurements of SO2 emission in the troposphere from volcanoes of the global ground-based Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change
Volcanic plumes are common and far-reaching manifestations of volcanic activity during and between eruptions. Observations of the rate of emission and composition of volcanic plumes are essential to recognize and, in some cases, predict the state of volcanic activity. Measurements of the size and location of the plumes are important to assess the impact of the emission from sporadic or localized eAuthorsSantiago Arellano, Bo Galle, Fredy Apaza, Geoffroy Avard, Charlotte Barrington, Nicole Bobrowski, Claudia Bucarey, Viviana Burbano, Mike Burton, Zoraida Chacon, Gustavo Chigna, Christian Joseph Clarito, Vladimir Conde, Fidel Costa, Maarten de Moor, Hugo Delgado-Granados, Andrea Di Muro, D. Fernandez, Gustavo Garzon, Hendra Gunawan, Nia Haerani, Thor Hansteen, Silvana Hidalgo, Salvatore Inguaggiato, Mattias Johansson, Christoph Kern, Manne Kihlman, Philippe Kowalski, Pablo Masias, Francisco Montalvo, Joakim Moller, Ulrich Platt, Claudia Rivera, Armando Saballos, Giuseppe Salerno, Benoit Taisne, Freddy Vasconez, Gabriela Velazquez, Fabio Vita, Mathieu M. YalireQuantifying gas emissions associated with the 2018 rift eruption of Kīlauea Volcano using ground-based DOAS measurements
Starting on 3 May 2018, a series of eruptive fissures opened in Kīlauea Volcano’s lower East Rift Zone (LERZ). Over the course of the next 3 months, intense degassing accompanied lava effusion from these fissures. Here, we report on ground-based observations of the gas emissions associated with Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption. Visual observations combined with radiative transfer modeling show that ultraviAuthorsChristoph Kern, Allan Lerner, Tamar Elias, Patricia Nadeau, Lacey Holland, Peter J. Kelly, Cynthia Werner, Laura E. Clor, Michael CapposLinking subsurface to surface using gas emission and melt inclusion data at Mount Cleveland volcano, Alaska
Mount Cleveland is one of Alaska's most active volcanoes, yet little is known about the magmatic system driving persistent and dynamic volcanic activity. Volcanic gas and melt inclusion (MI) data from 2016 were combined to investigate shallow magmatic processes. SO2 emission rates were between 166 and 324 t/day and the H2O/SO2 was 600 ± 53, whereas CO2 and H2S were below detection. Olivine‐, clinoAuthorsCynthia Werner, Daniel J. Rasmussen, Terry Plank, Peter J. Kelly, Christoph Kern, Taryn Lopez, Jonas Gliss, John Power, Diana Roman, Pavel Izbekov, John J. Lyons - News