The purpose of the USAID USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program is to make sure that volcanic eruptions don't become volcanic disasters. VDAP’s focus is to support volcano observatories through a combination of in-country or virtual support during volcanic eruptions or unrest and long-term capacity building through donations and training.
Jacob B. Lowenstern
Jake Lowenstern is a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Vancouver, WA. He serves as the Chief of the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, which is a partnership of the USGS and USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance.
From 2002-2017, Jake served as Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Through his career, he has worked on a wide variety of topics related to magmas and their overlying hydrothermal systems.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Stanford University 1992
M.S. Stanford University 1991
A. B. Dartmouth College 1986
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America (GSA)
Mineralogical Society of America (MSA)
American Geophysical Union
Society of Economic Geologists (SEG)
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI)
Honors and Awards
Fellow, GSA 2010
Fellow, MSA 2021
Lindgren Award (SEG) 2000
AAPG Distinguished Lecturer, 2006
Science and Products
Chemical and isotopic data on gases and waters for thermal and non-thermal features across Yellowstone National Park (2003-2015)
Gas and heat emission measurements in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (May-October 2016)
River Chemistry in Yellowstone National Park
The purpose of the USAID USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program is to make sure that volcanic eruptions don't become volcanic disasters. VDAP’s focus is to support volcano observatories through a combination of in-country or virtual support during volcanic eruptions or unrest and long-term capacity building through donations and training.
Schematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera
linkSchematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera, showing magmatic volatiles emitted during crystallization of the rhyolitic magma and/or from basalt intrusions or convection, and the hypothesized relation with earthquake swarms on the caldera margins. The exsolved fluids accumulate at lithostatic pressures in the
Schematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera
linkSchematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera, showing magmatic volatiles emitted during crystallization of the rhyolitic magma and/or from basalt intrusions or convection, and the hypothesized relation with earthquake swarms on the caldera margins. The exsolved fluids accumulate at lithostatic pressures in the
Radiogenic strontium- and uranium-isotope tracers of water-rock interactions and hydrothermal flow in the Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, USA
A case for improved global coordination of volcano observatories
Introduction to recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
Special topic—Boreholes
Recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
The dynamic influence of subsurface geological processes on the assembly and diversification of thermophilic microbial communities in continental hydrothermal systems
Opening letter: The long shadow of Merapi volcano
Guidelines for volcano-observatory operations during crises: Recommendations from the 2019 Volcano Observatory Best Practices meeting
Hydrogen isotope behavior during rhyolite glass hydration under hydrothermal conditions
Strengthening local volcano observatories through global collaborations
Vapor-bubble growth in olivine-hosted melt inclusions
Indonesia and the United States team up to reduce impacts from dangerous volcanoes
VolatileCalc
Science and Products
Chemical and isotopic data on gases and waters for thermal and non-thermal features across Yellowstone National Park (2003-2015)
Gas and heat emission measurements in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (May-October 2016)
River Chemistry in Yellowstone National Park
The purpose of the USAID USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program is to make sure that volcanic eruptions don't become volcanic disasters. VDAP’s focus is to support volcano observatories through a combination of in-country or virtual support during volcanic eruptions or unrest and long-term capacity building through donations and training.
The purpose of the USAID USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program is to make sure that volcanic eruptions don't become volcanic disasters. VDAP’s focus is to support volcano observatories through a combination of in-country or virtual support during volcanic eruptions or unrest and long-term capacity building through donations and training.
Schematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera
linkSchematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera, showing magmatic volatiles emitted during crystallization of the rhyolitic magma and/or from basalt intrusions or convection, and the hypothesized relation with earthquake swarms on the caldera margins. The exsolved fluids accumulate at lithostatic pressures in the
Schematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera
linkSchematic cross section of the magmatic and hydrothermal systems underlying Yellowstone Caldera, showing magmatic volatiles emitted during crystallization of the rhyolitic magma and/or from basalt intrusions or convection, and the hypothesized relation with earthquake swarms on the caldera margins. The exsolved fluids accumulate at lithostatic pressures in the
Radiogenic strontium- and uranium-isotope tracers of water-rock interactions and hydrothermal flow in the Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, USA
A case for improved global coordination of volcano observatories
Introduction to recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
Special topic—Boreholes
Recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
The dynamic influence of subsurface geological processes on the assembly and diversification of thermophilic microbial communities in continental hydrothermal systems
Opening letter: The long shadow of Merapi volcano
Guidelines for volcano-observatory operations during crises: Recommendations from the 2019 Volcano Observatory Best Practices meeting
Hydrogen isotope behavior during rhyolite glass hydration under hydrothermal conditions
Strengthening local volcano observatories through global collaborations
Vapor-bubble growth in olivine-hosted melt inclusions
Indonesia and the United States team up to reduce impacts from dangerous volcanoes
VolatileCalc
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government