Drew Downs in Iceland with a glacier in hte background.
Drew T. Downs
I am a research geologist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and my main areas of research revolve around constructing geologic maps and unraveling the eruptive histories of volcanoes. To do this, I use a multidisciplinary approach using field studies, physical volcanology, geochronology, geochemistry, petrology, remote sensing, and many more techniques.
I have worked on volcanoes and volcanic fields in a variety of settings, including subduction-related arc volcanoes within New Zealand and the southern Cascades of California, the monogenetic volcanic field of of Harrat Rahat in Saudi Arabia, and unraveling the eruptive history and processes of volcanic rocks of the Hawaiian Islands.
Throughout my research career I have participated in studies on explosive and effusive volcanism ranging from high-silica rhyolites and trachytes to basaltic lava flows. Unraveling the eruptive history preserved at the surface to understanding deeper volcanic processes has led me to use a wide variety of techniques, such as field studies, physical volcanology, geochronology, geochemistry, petrology, paleomagnetism, remote sensing, and other novel methods that help to understand volcanic processes and further understanding of their hazards.
Education and Certifications
2014 - Ph.D., Geology, University of Auckland (New Zealand)
2009 - MSc, Southern Illinois University
2007 - BSc, Southern Illinois University
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 20
Sample details and compositional data collected during episodes 1–39 (2024-2025) of the 2024-ongoing episodic Halema‘uma‘u eruption of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi Sample details and compositional data collected during episodes 1–39 (2024-2025) of the 2024-ongoing episodic Halema‘uma‘u eruption of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi
Samples for episodes 1–39 (2024-2025) of the 2024-ongoing episodic Halema‘uma‘u Kīlauea eruption were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) field teams from within publicly closed areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in cooperation with the National Park Service. This data release presents sample metadata, whole rock ED-XRF, whole rock WD-XRF...
Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data from pyroxene, plagioclase, and olivine from the Kamakaiʻa Hills flow field, Southwest Rift Zone, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, USA Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data from pyroxene, plagioclase, and olivine from the Kamakaiʻa Hills flow field, Southwest Rift Zone, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, USA
This dataset includes major-, minor-, and trace-element analyses by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and trace-element analyses by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and orthopyroxene minerals from scoria and lava samples from the Kamakaiʻa Hills of the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, Island of...
Electron microprobe analyses of olivine and oxide grains from the Five Fingers lava flows in the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Electron microprobe analyses of olivine and oxide grains from the Five Fingers lava flows in the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
We present new electron microprobe analyses of olivine and oxide grains hosted in three young basaltic lava flows located in northern Harrat Rahat, a distributed volcanic field in central-western Saudi Arabia.These lavas, collectively referred to as the Five Fingers, erupted at ca. 24 ka from three elongate vent complexes that fall along a common lineament. Integrated with existing...
Argon Geochronology Data from Pleistocene Volcanic Deposits Along the Pit River, California Argon Geochronology Data from Pleistocene Volcanic Deposits Along the Pit River, California
Argon geochronology results date eruptions of mapped volcanic deposits north and south of the PIt River in the California Cascades. This data release includes both raw data and summary data. Summary data are the results USGS geochronologist(s) recommend be cited in geologic history publications.
Sample details and compositional data collected during the 2024 Southwest Rift Zone and middle East Rift Zone eruptions of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi Sample details and compositional data collected during the 2024 Southwest Rift Zone and middle East Rift Zone eruptions of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi
Samples for the 2024 Kīlauea eruptions in the Southwest Rift Zone and middle East Rift Zone were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) field teams from within publicly closed areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in cooperation with the National Park Service. This data release presents sample metadata, whole rock ED-XRF, whole rock WD-XRF, whole...
Physical volcanology data and measurements (grain size, grain shape, thickness, maximum clast size, ballistic block size, and componentry) from the May 11–27, 1924 tephra deposits of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi Physical volcanology data and measurements (grain size, grain shape, thickness, maximum clast size, ballistic block size, and componentry) from the May 11–27, 1924 tephra deposits of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi
Over 16 days from May 11–27, 1924, there were more than 50 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi. These explosions ejected blocks weighing >12,000 kg, as well as extremely fine ash to lapilli size tephra. The greatest thicknesses of tephra were at the summit region of Kīlauea, but some tephra fell on Wood Valley, Pāhala, and Waiʻōhinu to the...
Geologic map of the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Geologic map of the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Harrat Rahat, in the west-central part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the largest of 15 Cenozoic harrats (Arabic for “volcanic field”) distributed on the Arabian plate. It extends more than 300 km north-south and 50 to 75 km east-west, and it covers an area of approximately 20,000 km2, has a volume of approximately 2,000 km3, and encompasses more than 900 observable vents. Volcanism...
Drew Downs in Iceland
Drew Downs in Iceland with a glacier in hte background.
Filter Total Items: 36
Spatial and temporal geochemical variations of lava flows and tephra deposits from the December 2020 to September 2024 eruptions of Kīlauea volcano Spatial and temporal geochemical variations of lava flows and tephra deposits from the December 2020 to September 2024 eruptions of Kīlauea volcano
Kīlauea volcano underwent dramatic morphological changes in 2018. That year recorded the end of the 35-year-long eruption of Puʻuʻōʻō (1983–2018) and 10-year-long (2008–2018) Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake and emplacement of the ~4-month-long lower East Rift Zone lava flows that coincided with ~500 m of summit caldera collapse. Starting on December 20, 2020, eruptions resumed at Kīlauea’s summit...
Authors
Drew T. Downs, Kendra J. Lynn, Heather Brianne Winslow, Steven P. Lundblad, Meghann F.I. Decker
Small-volume tephra deposits of the May 1924 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu, Kīlauea volcano, and their origin Small-volume tephra deposits of the May 1924 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu, Kīlauea volcano, and their origin
More than 50 explosive eruptions occurred from Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea volcano over 17 days from May 11 to 27, 1924. Ballistics weighing as much as 14,000 kg were ejected and most landed within 2 km of the vent. Fine ash made up a major component of the tephra and was dispersed tens of kilometers downwind. Draining of the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake occurred in late February 1924, with the...
Authors
Drew T. Downs, Johanne Schmith, Julie Chang, Kendra J. Lynn, Don Swanson, Ben Gaddis, Ashton F. Flinders
Near-real-time geochemical monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) Near-real-time geochemical monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF)
Syn-eruption geochemical monitoring during volcanic activity is an important component of integrated volcanic monitoring. Volcanoes on the Island of Hawai‘i are primarily monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory using instrumental networks, field surveys, satellite observations, and petrologic monitoring. In collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at...
Authors
Steven P. Lundblad, Peter R. Mills, Kendra J. Lynn, Elisabeth Gallant, Cheryl Gansecki, Meghann Decker, Drew T. Downs
Growth of a passive lava lake during the 2020–2021 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii Growth of a passive lava lake during the 2020–2021 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii
We investigate the growth of a passive lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater during the December 2020 to May 2021 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii. Fed by vents above their surfaces, the formation of passive lava lakes in topographic lows is an important process in the growth of basaltic volcanoes. We captured visible and thermal images during 17 helicopter overflights and applied...
Authors
Brett B. Carr, Matthew R. Patrick, Hannah R. Dietterich, Michael H. Zoeller, Carolyn Parcheta, Drew T. Downs, Patricia A. Nadeau, Christoper Hamilton
Mauna Loa 2022 – Unrest, eruption, and outreach at the world’s largest volcano: Preface to the special issue Mauna Loa 2022 – Unrest, eruption, and outreach at the world’s largest volcano: Preface to the special issue
No abstract available.
Authors
Kendra J. Lynn, Elisabeth Gallant, Drew T. Downs, Frank A. Trusdell
Rapid emplacement of the Keaiwa Lava Flow of 1823 from the Great Crack in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano Rapid emplacement of the Keaiwa Lava Flow of 1823 from the Great Crack in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano
The Keaīwa Lava Flow of 1823 in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano is unusual for its expansive pāhoehoe sheet flow morphology and lack of constructive vent topography, despite having a similar tholeiitic basalt composition to other lavas erupted from Kīlauea. This lava flow issued from a ∼10-km-long continuous fissure now known as the Great Crack, and has an unusually thin sheet...
Authors
Andrea Tonato, Thomas Shea, Drew T. Downs, Karim Kelfoun
Non-USGS Publications**
Downs, D.T., Rowland, J.V., Wilson, C.J.N., Rosenberg, M.D., Leonard, G.S., and Calvert, A.T., 2014, Evolution of the intra-arc Taupo-Reporoa Basin within the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand: Geopshere, v. 10, p. 185-206, doi:10.1130/GES00965.1.
Downs, D.T., Wilson, C.J.N., Cole, J.W., Rowland, J.V., Calvert, A.T., Leonard, G.S., and Keall, J.M., 2014, Age and eruptive center of the Paeroa Subgroup ignimbrites (Whakamaru Group) within the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 126, p. 1131-1144, doi:10.1130/B30891.1.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 20
Sample details and compositional data collected during episodes 1–39 (2024-2025) of the 2024-ongoing episodic Halema‘uma‘u eruption of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi Sample details and compositional data collected during episodes 1–39 (2024-2025) of the 2024-ongoing episodic Halema‘uma‘u eruption of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi
Samples for episodes 1–39 (2024-2025) of the 2024-ongoing episodic Halema‘uma‘u Kīlauea eruption were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) field teams from within publicly closed areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in cooperation with the National Park Service. This data release presents sample metadata, whole rock ED-XRF, whole rock WD-XRF...
Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data from pyroxene, plagioclase, and olivine from the Kamakaiʻa Hills flow field, Southwest Rift Zone, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, USA Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data from pyroxene, plagioclase, and olivine from the Kamakaiʻa Hills flow field, Southwest Rift Zone, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, USA
This dataset includes major-, minor-, and trace-element analyses by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and trace-element analyses by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and orthopyroxene minerals from scoria and lava samples from the Kamakaiʻa Hills of the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, Island of...
Electron microprobe analyses of olivine and oxide grains from the Five Fingers lava flows in the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Electron microprobe analyses of olivine and oxide grains from the Five Fingers lava flows in the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
We present new electron microprobe analyses of olivine and oxide grains hosted in three young basaltic lava flows located in northern Harrat Rahat, a distributed volcanic field in central-western Saudi Arabia.These lavas, collectively referred to as the Five Fingers, erupted at ca. 24 ka from three elongate vent complexes that fall along a common lineament. Integrated with existing...
Argon Geochronology Data from Pleistocene Volcanic Deposits Along the Pit River, California Argon Geochronology Data from Pleistocene Volcanic Deposits Along the Pit River, California
Argon geochronology results date eruptions of mapped volcanic deposits north and south of the PIt River in the California Cascades. This data release includes both raw data and summary data. Summary data are the results USGS geochronologist(s) recommend be cited in geologic history publications.
Sample details and compositional data collected during the 2024 Southwest Rift Zone and middle East Rift Zone eruptions of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi Sample details and compositional data collected during the 2024 Southwest Rift Zone and middle East Rift Zone eruptions of Kīlauea, Island of Hawaiʻi
Samples for the 2024 Kīlauea eruptions in the Southwest Rift Zone and middle East Rift Zone were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) field teams from within publicly closed areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in cooperation with the National Park Service. This data release presents sample metadata, whole rock ED-XRF, whole rock WD-XRF, whole...
Physical volcanology data and measurements (grain size, grain shape, thickness, maximum clast size, ballistic block size, and componentry) from the May 11–27, 1924 tephra deposits of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi Physical volcanology data and measurements (grain size, grain shape, thickness, maximum clast size, ballistic block size, and componentry) from the May 11–27, 1924 tephra deposits of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Kīlauea volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi
Over 16 days from May 11–27, 1924, there were more than 50 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi. These explosions ejected blocks weighing >12,000 kg, as well as extremely fine ash to lapilli size tephra. The greatest thicknesses of tephra were at the summit region of Kīlauea, but some tephra fell on Wood Valley, Pāhala, and Waiʻōhinu to the...
Geologic map of the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Geologic map of the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Harrat Rahat, in the west-central part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the largest of 15 Cenozoic harrats (Arabic for “volcanic field”) distributed on the Arabian plate. It extends more than 300 km north-south and 50 to 75 km east-west, and it covers an area of approximately 20,000 km2, has a volume of approximately 2,000 km3, and encompasses more than 900 observable vents. Volcanism...
Drew Downs in Iceland
Drew Downs in Iceland with a glacier in hte background.
Drew Downs in Iceland with a glacier in hte background.
Filter Total Items: 36
Spatial and temporal geochemical variations of lava flows and tephra deposits from the December 2020 to September 2024 eruptions of Kīlauea volcano Spatial and temporal geochemical variations of lava flows and tephra deposits from the December 2020 to September 2024 eruptions of Kīlauea volcano
Kīlauea volcano underwent dramatic morphological changes in 2018. That year recorded the end of the 35-year-long eruption of Puʻuʻōʻō (1983–2018) and 10-year-long (2008–2018) Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake and emplacement of the ~4-month-long lower East Rift Zone lava flows that coincided with ~500 m of summit caldera collapse. Starting on December 20, 2020, eruptions resumed at Kīlauea’s summit...
Authors
Drew T. Downs, Kendra J. Lynn, Heather Brianne Winslow, Steven P. Lundblad, Meghann F.I. Decker
Small-volume tephra deposits of the May 1924 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu, Kīlauea volcano, and their origin Small-volume tephra deposits of the May 1924 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu, Kīlauea volcano, and their origin
More than 50 explosive eruptions occurred from Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea volcano over 17 days from May 11 to 27, 1924. Ballistics weighing as much as 14,000 kg were ejected and most landed within 2 km of the vent. Fine ash made up a major component of the tephra and was dispersed tens of kilometers downwind. Draining of the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake occurred in late February 1924, with the...
Authors
Drew T. Downs, Johanne Schmith, Julie Chang, Kendra J. Lynn, Don Swanson, Ben Gaddis, Ashton F. Flinders
Near-real-time geochemical monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) Near-real-time geochemical monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF)
Syn-eruption geochemical monitoring during volcanic activity is an important component of integrated volcanic monitoring. Volcanoes on the Island of Hawai‘i are primarily monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory using instrumental networks, field surveys, satellite observations, and petrologic monitoring. In collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at...
Authors
Steven P. Lundblad, Peter R. Mills, Kendra J. Lynn, Elisabeth Gallant, Cheryl Gansecki, Meghann Decker, Drew T. Downs
Growth of a passive lava lake during the 2020–2021 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii Growth of a passive lava lake during the 2020–2021 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii
We investigate the growth of a passive lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater during the December 2020 to May 2021 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii. Fed by vents above their surfaces, the formation of passive lava lakes in topographic lows is an important process in the growth of basaltic volcanoes. We captured visible and thermal images during 17 helicopter overflights and applied...
Authors
Brett B. Carr, Matthew R. Patrick, Hannah R. Dietterich, Michael H. Zoeller, Carolyn Parcheta, Drew T. Downs, Patricia A. Nadeau, Christoper Hamilton
Mauna Loa 2022 – Unrest, eruption, and outreach at the world’s largest volcano: Preface to the special issue Mauna Loa 2022 – Unrest, eruption, and outreach at the world’s largest volcano: Preface to the special issue
No abstract available.
Authors
Kendra J. Lynn, Elisabeth Gallant, Drew T. Downs, Frank A. Trusdell
Rapid emplacement of the Keaiwa Lava Flow of 1823 from the Great Crack in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano Rapid emplacement of the Keaiwa Lava Flow of 1823 from the Great Crack in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano
The Keaīwa Lava Flow of 1823 in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano is unusual for its expansive pāhoehoe sheet flow morphology and lack of constructive vent topography, despite having a similar tholeiitic basalt composition to other lavas erupted from Kīlauea. This lava flow issued from a ∼10-km-long continuous fissure now known as the Great Crack, and has an unusually thin sheet...
Authors
Andrea Tonato, Thomas Shea, Drew T. Downs, Karim Kelfoun
Non-USGS Publications**
Downs, D.T., Rowland, J.V., Wilson, C.J.N., Rosenberg, M.D., Leonard, G.S., and Calvert, A.T., 2014, Evolution of the intra-arc Taupo-Reporoa Basin within the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand: Geopshere, v. 10, p. 185-206, doi:10.1130/GES00965.1.
Downs, D.T., Wilson, C.J.N., Cole, J.W., Rowland, J.V., Calvert, A.T., Leonard, G.S., and Keall, J.M., 2014, Age and eruptive center of the Paeroa Subgroup ignimbrites (Whakamaru Group) within the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 126, p. 1131-1144, doi:10.1130/B30891.1.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.