David Damby, Ph.D
David Damby researches the impacts of geologic materials and environmental exposures on public health. To date, he has worked on volcanic emissions, wildfire smoke, desert dusts, coal dust, lunar dust, and diatomaceous earth. He currently works for the USGS Volcano Hazards Program.
Professional Experience
Member of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 2016
2013 - 2015 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
2010 - 2012 MRC/University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, UK
2009 - 2012 Institute of Hazard, Risk & Resilience, Durham University, UK
2006 - 2008 Transplantation Surgery and Immunology, Department of Surgery, University of Vermont, USA
Education and Certifications
PhD (2012) Earth Sciences, Durham University (UK)
BSc (2008) Biochemistry, University of Vermont (USA)
Science and Products
Mineralogy, chemistry and isotope composition of silica sinter deposits from the Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (ver. 2.0, April 2021)
Silicified wood from around Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Electron microprobe geochemical data for glass from the Khonkho tephra
Chemical and isotopic composition of gas, water, and solids from the 2019-2020 water lake in Halema’uma’u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
Geochemical data for waters, rocks, sediments and biofilms from Rio Tinto, Spain
Volcanic ash leachate and rainwater chemistry from increased 2018 activity of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
USGS and social media user dialogue and sentiment during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
Nanoscale silicate melt textures determine volcanic ash surface chemistry
Hawaiian volcanic ash, an airborne fomite for nontuberculous mycobacteria
Physicochemical hazard assessment of ash and dome rock from the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière, St Vincent, for the assessment of respiratory health impacts and water contamination
The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN): Reflections on 20 years of progress
Estimates of volcanic mercury emissions from Redoubt Volcano, Augustine Volcano, and Mount Spurr eruption ash
Hawai‘i residents’ perceptions of Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption information
A reappraisal of explosive–effusive silicic eruption dynamics: Syn-eruptive assembly of lava from the products of cryptic fragmentation
Spatial distribution and physicochemical properties of respirable volcanic ash from the 16-17 August 2006 Tungurahua eruption (Ecuador), and alveolar epithelium response in-vitro
Volcanic air pollution and human health: Recent advances and future directions
Evaluating the state-of-the-art in remote volcanic eruption characterization Part I: Raikoke volcano, Kuril Islands
Experimental design and data relevance in a volcanic ash-leachate health study: Letter to the Editor re. Barone et al. (2021) ‘Surface reactivity of Etna volcanic ash and evaluation of health risks’
Science and Products
- Data
Mineralogy, chemistry and isotope composition of silica sinter deposits from the Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (ver. 2.0, April 2021)
Summary: Siliceous sinter samples were collected from multiple geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park in 2018. These silica sinter samples were collected and analyzed as a part of a multi-year research investigation into the age and geochemistry of hydrothermal features in the Upper Geyser Basin. Samples were collected along the stratigraphy of each feature. From these sampSilicified wood from around Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful Geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park is one of the best studied geysers in the world. Under research permit YELL-SCI-8030, samples from 13 silicified tree remnants were collected adjacent to the Old Faithful Geyser cone in April and November 2019. The silicified wood samples were dated using the radiocarbon (14C) method and were analyzed by scanning electron mElectron microprobe geochemical data for glass from the Khonkho tephra
These data are presented to geochemically characterize glass from the informally named Khonkho tephra, an ashfall deposit that crops out at the Khonkho Wankane archaeological site in Jesus de Machaca, Bolivia. The Khonkho tephra appears to have been emplaced by a major explosive eruption from a currently unknown volcanic source. The unit forms a marker bed at an archaeologically important stratigrChemical and isotopic composition of gas, water, and solids from the 2019-2020 water lake in Halema’uma’u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
Following the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano (Neal et al, 2019) and the subsequent collapse of the Halema’uma’u crater, groundwater gradually seeped into the newly-deepened crater (Nadeau and others, 2020). Water was first observed in the crater on 7/26/2019, and the water level increased over time until 12/20/2020, when the crater again filled with lava, vaporizing the lake. In the interveningGeochemical data for waters, rocks, sediments and biofilms from Rio Tinto, Spain
Rio Tinto, Spain, is an example of a fluvial system strongly influenced by acid rock and acid mine drainage. During the spring of 2018 and 2019, samples of stream waters and mine waters, biofilms, sediments and rocks, were collected in the field by Aubrey Zerkle. These samples were analyzed for comprehensive geochemistry, including Cr isotope geochemistry, anions and cations. Mineralogical analysiVolcanic ash leachate and rainwater chemistry from increased 2018 activity of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
In early May 2018, activity at Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, increased, with heightened ash production from the summit commencing on May 17. Volcanic ash can scavenge volatile components from volcanic plumes, resulting in the deposition of potentially harmful elements during ash fallout. Leaching of these species (e.g., by rainfall or in water catchment systems) can have implications for agriculture, w - Publications
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USGS and social media user dialogue and sentiment during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
Responsive and empathic communication by scientists is critical for building trust and engagement with communities, which, in turn, promotes receptiveness toward authoritative hazard information during times of crisis. The 2018 eruption of Hawai‘i's Kīlauea Volcano was the first volcanic crisis event in which communication via the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) social media group, “USGS Volcanoes,”AuthorsRobert T. Goldman, Sara McBride, Wendy K. Stovall, David DambyNanoscale silicate melt textures determine volcanic ash surface chemistry
Explosive volcanic eruptions produce vast quantities of silicate ash, whose surfaces are subsequently altered during atmospheric transit. These altered surfaces mediate environmental interactions, including atmospheric ice nucleation, and toxic effects in biota. A lack of knowledge of the initial, pre-altered ash surface has required previous studies to assume that the ash surface composition creaAuthorsAdrian Hornby, Paul M Ayris, David Damby, Spyros Diplas, Julia Eychenne, Jackie E. Kendrick, Corrado Cimarelli, Ulli Kueppers, Bettina Scheu, James E. P. Utley, Donald B. DingwellHawaiian volcanic ash, an airborne fomite for nontuberculous mycobacteria
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmentally acquired opportunistic pathogens that can cause chronic lung disease. Within the U.S., Hawai'i shows the highest prevalence rates of NTM lung infections. Here, we investigated a potential role for active volcanism at the Kīlauea Volcano located on Hawai'i Island in promoting NTM growth and diversity. We recovered NTM that are known to cause lunAuthorsStephanie Dawrs, Ravleen Virdi, Grant Norton, Tamar Elias, Nabeeh Hasan, Schuyler Robinson, Jobel Matriz, L. Elaine Epperson, Cody Glickman, Sean Beagle, James L Crooks, Stephen T. Nelson, Edward Chan, David Damby, Michael Strong, Jennifer HondaPhysicochemical hazard assessment of ash and dome rock from the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière, St Vincent, for the assessment of respiratory health impacts and water contamination
La Soufrière, St Vincent, began an extrusive eruption on 27 December 2020. The lava dome was destroyed, along with much of the pre-existing 1979 dome, in explosive eruptions from 9 to 22 April 2021. Lava domes generate crystalline silica – inhalation of which can cause silicosis in occupational settings – which can become hazardous when dome material is incorporated into volcanic ash.La SoufrièreAuthorsClaire J. Horwell, David Damby, Carol Stewart, Erouscilla Joseph, Jenni Barclay, Bridie V. Davies, Martin F Mangler, L G. Marvin, Jens Najorka, Sara Peek, Neil TunstallThe International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN): Reflections on 20 years of progress
No abstract available.AuthorsClaire J. Horwell, Peter J. Baxter, David Damby, Tamar Elias, Evgenia Ilyinskaya, R Stephen J Sparks, Carol Stewart, Ines TomasekEstimates 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 CameronHawai‘i residents’ perceptions of Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption information
The 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano was notable for its variety of large and spatially distinct hazards, simultaneously affecting three geographically disparate, culturally diverse regions in Hawaiʻi. We conducted a pilot study, consisting of 18 semi-structured interviews, two survey responses, and several informal conversations with Hawaiʻi residents to learn which sources/messengers of eruptionAuthorsRobert T. Goldman, Wendy K. Stovall, David Damby, Sara McBrideA reappraisal of explosive–effusive silicic eruption dynamics: Syn-eruptive assembly of lava from the products of cryptic fragmentation
Silicic volcanic eruptions range in style from gently effusive to highly explosive, and may switch style unpredictably during a single eruption. Direct observations of subaerial rhyolitic eruptions (Chaiten 2008, Cordón Caulle 2011–2012, Chile) challenged long-standing paradigms of explosive and effusive eruptive styles and led to the formulation of new models of hybrid activity. However, the procAuthorsFabian Wadsworth, Edward W. Llewellin, Jonathan Castro, Hugh Tuffen, Ian Schipper, James E. Gardner, Annabelle Foster, Jeremie Vasseur, David Damby, Iona McIntosh, Sina Boettcher, Holly Unwin, Michael J. Heap, Jamie Farquharson, Donald B. Dingwell, Kayla Iacovino, Rebecca Paisley, Calvin Jones, Jack WhattamSpatial distribution and physicochemical properties of respirable volcanic ash from the 16-17 August 2006 Tungurahua eruption (Ecuador), and alveolar epithelium response in-vitro
Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador) intermittently emitted ash between 1999 and 2016, enduringly affecting the surrounding rural area and its population, but its health impact remains poorly documented. We aim to assess the respiratory health hazard posed by the 16–17 August 2006 most intense eruptive phase of Tungurahua. We mapped the spatial distribution of the health-relevant ash size fractions producAuthorsJulia Eychenne, Lucia Gurioli, David Damby, Corinne Belville, Federica Schiavi, Geoffroy Marceau, Claire Szczepaniak, Christelle Blavignac, Mickael Laumonier, Emmanuel Gardés, Jean-Luc Le Pennec, Jean-Marie Nedelec, Loic Blanchon, Vincent SapinVolcanic air pollution and human health: Recent advances and future directions
Volcanic air pollution from both explosive and effusive activity can affect large populations as far as thousands of kilometers away from the source, for days to decades or even centuries. Here, we summarize key advances and prospects in the assessment of health hazards, effects, risk, and management. Recent advances include standardized ash assessment methods to characterize the multiple physicocAuthorsCarol Stewart, David Damby, Claire J. Horwell, Tamar Elias, Evgenia Ilyinskaya, Ines Tomasek, Bernadette Longo, Anja Schmidt, Hanne Carlsen, Emily Mason, Peter J. Baxter, Shane Cronin, Claire WithamEvaluating the state-of-the-art in remote volcanic eruption characterization Part I: Raikoke volcano, Kuril Islands
Raikoke, a small, unmonitored volcano in the Kuril Islands, erupted in June 2019. We integrate data from satellites (including Sentinel-2, TROPOMI, MODIS, Himawari-8), the International Monitoring System (IMS) infrasound network, and global lightning detection network (GLD360) with information from local authorities and social media to retrospectively characterize the eruptive sequence and improveAuthorsKathleen McKee, Cassandra Marie Smith, Kevin Reath, Eveanjelene Snee, Sean Maher, Robin S. Matoza, Simon A Carn, Larry G. Mastin, Kyle R. Anderson, David Damby, Diana Roman, Artem Degterev, Alexander Rybin, Marina Chibisova, Jelle D. Assink, Rodrigo de Negri Levia, Anna PerttuExperimental design and data relevance in a volcanic ash-leachate health study: Letter to the Editor re. Barone et al. (2021) ‘Surface reactivity of Etna volcanic ash and evaluation of health risks’
No abstract available.AuthorsCarol Stewart, David Damby, Ines Tomasek, Claire J. Horwell - News