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
Whole rock and micro-analytical geochemistry of minerals, melt inclusions, and matrix glasses from Kapoho Crater and Puʻulena Crater, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi
Vesicularity, grain size, and grain shape of basaltic pyroclasts from Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, Island of Hawaiʻi
Major- and trace-element chemical analyses of whole-rock and glass from the Kamakaiʻa Hills of the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaiʻi
Colorimeter data for the summit water lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, 2020
Sample details and near-real-time ED-XRF, grain size, and grain shape data collected during the November – December 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi
Electron microprobe data for plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene, and spinel in volcanic rocks from the Matan volcanic center located within the Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Water-level data for the crater lake at the summit of Kilauea Volcano, Island of Hawai'i, 2019-2020
Database for the geologic map of the Paeroa Fault block and surrounding area, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand
Database for 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
Drew Downs in Iceland with a glacier in hte background.
Volcanoes of American Samoa
Upu Amata (Introduction)O le Atu-Samoa o le tasi lenei o faʻasologa motu mauga mu i le Vasa Pasefika i Saute. O motu e pito i sasaʻe o nei faʻasologa mauga mu o le Atu-Samoa, o motu ia o Amerika Samoa. E tofu lava mauga mu taʻitasi o Amerika Samoa ma ona talaaga aemaise tulaga e tutupu e ono pa ai i le lumanai. O loʻo galulue faʻatasi le Ofisa o le U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) ma le National Ocea
The influence of vesicularity on grain morphology in basaltic pyroclasts from Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes
Origins and nature of large explosive eruptions in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii: Insights from ash characterization and geochemistry
Tracking magma pathways and surface faulting in the Southwest Rift Zone and the Koaʻe fault system (Kīlauea volcano, Hawai ‘i) using photogrammetry and structural observations
Isotopic and geochemical evidence for the source of volcanism at Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Eruptive history within the vicinity of Al Madīnah in northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Eruptive history of northern Harrat Rahat—Volume, timing, and composition of volcanism over the past 1.2 million years
Lava flow emplacement in Harrat Rahat with implications for eruptions in mafic volcanic fields
The duration and characteristics of magmatic differentiation from basalt to trachyte within the Matan volcanic center, northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Explosive trachyte eruptions from the Al Efairia volcanic center in northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Paleomagnetism of the Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Geologic unit correlations and geomagnetic cryptochron identifications
Mantle origin and crustal differentiation of basalts and hawaiites of northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
Whole rock and micro-analytical geochemistry of minerals, melt inclusions, and matrix glasses from Kapoho Crater and Puʻulena Crater, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi
Vesicularity, grain size, and grain shape of basaltic pyroclasts from Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, Island of Hawaiʻi
Major- and trace-element chemical analyses of whole-rock and glass from the Kamakaiʻa Hills of the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaiʻi
Colorimeter data for the summit water lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, 2020
Sample details and near-real-time ED-XRF, grain size, and grain shape data collected during the November – December 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi
Electron microprobe data for plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene, and spinel in volcanic rocks from the Matan volcanic center located within the Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Water-level data for the crater lake at the summit of Kilauea Volcano, Island of Hawai'i, 2019-2020
Database for the geologic map of the Paeroa Fault block and surrounding area, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand
Database for 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
Drew Downs in Iceland with a glacier in hte background.
Drew Downs in Iceland with a glacier in hte background.
Volcanoes of American Samoa
Upu Amata (Introduction)O le Atu-Samoa o le tasi lenei o faʻasologa motu mauga mu i le Vasa Pasefika i Saute. O motu e pito i sasaʻe o nei faʻasologa mauga mu o le Atu-Samoa, o motu ia o Amerika Samoa. E tofu lava mauga mu taʻitasi o Amerika Samoa ma ona talaaga aemaise tulaga e tutupu e ono pa ai i le lumanai. O loʻo galulue faʻatasi le Ofisa o le U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) ma le National Ocea
The influence of vesicularity on grain morphology in basaltic pyroclasts from Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes
Origins and nature of large explosive eruptions in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii: Insights from ash characterization and geochemistry
Tracking magma pathways and surface faulting in the Southwest Rift Zone and the Koaʻe fault system (Kīlauea volcano, Hawai ‘i) using photogrammetry and structural observations
Isotopic and geochemical evidence for the source of volcanism at Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Eruptive history within the vicinity of Al Madīnah in northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Eruptive history of northern Harrat Rahat—Volume, timing, and composition of volcanism over the past 1.2 million years
Lava flow emplacement in Harrat Rahat with implications for eruptions in mafic volcanic fields
The duration and characteristics of magmatic differentiation from basalt to trachyte within the Matan volcanic center, northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Explosive trachyte eruptions from the Al Efairia volcanic center in northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Paleomagnetism of the Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Geologic unit correlations and geomagnetic cryptochron identifications
Mantle origin and crustal differentiation of basalts and hawaiites of northern Harrat Rahat, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.