Erin Lysne

My objective is to lead the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory Sediment Laboratory to new heights. Devoting my life to this science is what drives me each day. The success and future of the Sediment Laboratory is my highest priority. The main highlight of my sediment lab work is the ongoing sediment monitoring of the Toutle River post-1980 eruption. Other notable projects include the dam removals along the lower Klamath Basin, and participating in an intentional study for Mt. St. Helens tephra collaboration. I have extensive experience with laboratory procedures for sediment sample handling. Suspended sediment, soil, lahar, ash, bedload, bed material, loss on ignition, concentration, sand analysis, sand break/fine, and concentration sample processing. Use of particle size analysis test sieves, SediGraph, and RoTap. Quality Management System (QMS) implementation and completion with a continuation of standards within the lab environment. Bi-annual Sediment Lab Quality Assurance (SLQA) sample processing. I also perform facility tours, educational outreach, and interact with the media. One of the fun parts of my position is to manage and maintain the laboratory robot, SALI, that weighs the sediment samples and is a cornerstone of our quality assurance for sample handling.

Mount St. Helens: My field experience includes work GNSS equipment. Including working with equipment used for GNSS base station construction, radio connection, and rover usage. Total station and reflector equipment use. Data collection for cross-section surveys, topo ground surveying, river profile study, and ongoing geomorphology studies. Including the annual Crater Glacier terminus surveys. I also assist with checking the water wells on the Spirit and Castle Lake blockages, as part of the ongoing public safety measures to protect communities downstream.