Jacob B. Lowenstern
Jake Lowenstern is a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Vancouver, WA. He currently serves as the Acting Director for the Volcano Science Center.
Between 2018 and 2025, he served as the Director of the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program. 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
AGU College of Fellows Distinguished Lecturer, 2024-25
Member of VDAP Team for AGU International Award, 2024
Fellow, AGU 2023
Fellow, MSA 2021
Fellow, GSA 2010
AAPG Distinguished Lecturer, 2006
Lindgren Award (SEG) 2000
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 80
Compilation of gas geochemistry and isotopic analyses from The Geysers geothermal field: 1978-1991 Compilation of gas geochemistry and isotopic analyses from The Geysers geothermal field: 1978-1991
We present 45 chemical and isotopic analyses from well discharges at The Geysers geothermal field and summarize the most notable geochemical trends. H2 and H2S concentrations are highest in the Southeast Geysers, where steam samples have δD and δ18O values that reflect replenishment by meteoric water. In the Northwest Geysers, samples are enriched in gas/steam, CO2, CH4, and N2/Ar...
Authors
Jacob B. Lowenstern, Cathy Janik, Lynne Fahlquist, Linda S. Johnson
Geochemistry of waters from springs, wells, and snowpack on and adjacent to Medicine Lake volcano, northern California Geochemistry of waters from springs, wells, and snowpack on and adjacent to Medicine Lake volcano, northern California
Chemical analyses of waters from cold springs and wells of the Medicine Lake volcano and surrounding region indicate small chloride anomalies that may be due to water-rock interaction or limited mixing with high-temperature geothermal fluids. The Fall River Springs (FRS) with a combined discharge of approximately 37 m3/s, show a negative correlation between chloride (Cl) and temperature...
Authors
Robert H. Mariner, Jacob B. Lowenstern
Geology for a changing world; a science strategy for the Geologic Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, 2000-2010 Geology for a changing world; a science strategy for the Geologic Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, 2000-2010
This report describes seven science goals conceived to address pressing issues facing the Nation in the next decade. These goals focus on understanding human interaction with the natural environment and build upon long-term USGS investments in basic research.
Authors
Steven R. Bohlen, Robert B. Halley, Stephen H. Hickman, Samuel Y. Johnson, Jacob B. Lowenstern, Daniel R. Muhs, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, George A. Thompson, David L. Trauger, Mary Lou Zoback
Geothermal potential of the Alid Volcanic Center, Danakil Depression, Eritrea Geothermal potential of the Alid Volcanic Center, Danakil Depression, Eritrea
No abstract available.
Authors
W. A. Duffield, T.D. Bullen, M.A. Clynne, R.O. Fournier, C. J. Janik, M. A. Lanphere, Jacob Lowenstern, James G. Smith, L.W. Giorgis, Gabreab Kahsai, K.W. Mariam, Theoderos Tesfai
Exsolved magmatic fluid and its role in the formation of comb-layered quartz at the Cretaceous Logtung W-Mo deposit, Yukon Territory, Canada Exsolved magmatic fluid and its role in the formation of comb-layered quartz at the Cretaceous Logtung W-Mo deposit, Yukon Territory, Canada
Comb-layered quartz is a type of unidirectional solidification texture found at the roofs of shallow silicic intrusions that are often associated spatially with Mo and W mineralisation. The texture consists of multiple layers of euhedral, prismatic quartz crystals (Type I) that have grown on subplanar aplite substrates. The layers are separated by porphyritic aplite containing equant...
Authors
Jacob B. Lowenstern, W. David Sinclair
Geology and geothermal potential of Alid volcanic center, Eritrea, Africa Geology and geothermal potential of Alid volcanic center, Eritrea, Africa
Alid volcanic center, a 700-meter-tall mountain in Eritrea, northeast Africa, straddles the axis of an active crustal-spreading center called the Danakil Depression. Boiling-temperature fumaroles are common on Alid, and their gas compositions indicate a reservoir temperature of at least 250 ??C. The history of volcanism and the high reservoir temperature indicated by the Alid fumarole...
Authors
Michael A. Clynne, Wendell A. Duffield, Robert O. Fournier, Leake W. Giorgis, Cathy J. Janik, Gabreab Kahsai, Jacob Lowenstern, Kidane W. Mariam, James G. Smith, Theoderos Tesfai
The role of magmas in the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits The role of magmas in the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits
Magmatic fluids, both vapour and hypersaline liquid, are a primary source of many components in hydrothermal ore deposits formed in volcanic arcs. These components, including metals and their ligands, become concentrated in magmas in various ways from various sources, including subducted oceanic crust. Leaching of rocks also contributes components to the hydrothermal fluid—a process...
Authors
Jeffrey W. Hedenquist, Jacob B. Lowenstern
Major-element, trace-element, and volatile concentrations in silicate melt inclusions from the tuff of Pine Grove, Wah Wah Mountains, Utah Major-element, trace-element, and volatile concentrations in silicate melt inclusions from the tuff of Pine Grove, Wah Wah Mountains, Utah
No abstract available.
Authors
Jacob B. Lowenstern, Charles R. Bacon, L. C. Calk, R.L. Hervig, R.D. Aines
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 80
Compilation of gas geochemistry and isotopic analyses from The Geysers geothermal field: 1978-1991 Compilation of gas geochemistry and isotopic analyses from The Geysers geothermal field: 1978-1991
We present 45 chemical and isotopic analyses from well discharges at The Geysers geothermal field and summarize the most notable geochemical trends. H2 and H2S concentrations are highest in the Southeast Geysers, where steam samples have δD and δ18O values that reflect replenishment by meteoric water. In the Northwest Geysers, samples are enriched in gas/steam, CO2, CH4, and N2/Ar...
Authors
Jacob B. Lowenstern, Cathy Janik, Lynne Fahlquist, Linda S. Johnson
Geochemistry of waters from springs, wells, and snowpack on and adjacent to Medicine Lake volcano, northern California Geochemistry of waters from springs, wells, and snowpack on and adjacent to Medicine Lake volcano, northern California
Chemical analyses of waters from cold springs and wells of the Medicine Lake volcano and surrounding region indicate small chloride anomalies that may be due to water-rock interaction or limited mixing with high-temperature geothermal fluids. The Fall River Springs (FRS) with a combined discharge of approximately 37 m3/s, show a negative correlation between chloride (Cl) and temperature...
Authors
Robert H. Mariner, Jacob B. Lowenstern
Geology for a changing world; a science strategy for the Geologic Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, 2000-2010 Geology for a changing world; a science strategy for the Geologic Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, 2000-2010
This report describes seven science goals conceived to address pressing issues facing the Nation in the next decade. These goals focus on understanding human interaction with the natural environment and build upon long-term USGS investments in basic research.
Authors
Steven R. Bohlen, Robert B. Halley, Stephen H. Hickman, Samuel Y. Johnson, Jacob B. Lowenstern, Daniel R. Muhs, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, George A. Thompson, David L. Trauger, Mary Lou Zoback
Geothermal potential of the Alid Volcanic Center, Danakil Depression, Eritrea Geothermal potential of the Alid Volcanic Center, Danakil Depression, Eritrea
No abstract available.
Authors
W. A. Duffield, T.D. Bullen, M.A. Clynne, R.O. Fournier, C. J. Janik, M. A. Lanphere, Jacob Lowenstern, James G. Smith, L.W. Giorgis, Gabreab Kahsai, K.W. Mariam, Theoderos Tesfai
Exsolved magmatic fluid and its role in the formation of comb-layered quartz at the Cretaceous Logtung W-Mo deposit, Yukon Territory, Canada Exsolved magmatic fluid and its role in the formation of comb-layered quartz at the Cretaceous Logtung W-Mo deposit, Yukon Territory, Canada
Comb-layered quartz is a type of unidirectional solidification texture found at the roofs of shallow silicic intrusions that are often associated spatially with Mo and W mineralisation. The texture consists of multiple layers of euhedral, prismatic quartz crystals (Type I) that have grown on subplanar aplite substrates. The layers are separated by porphyritic aplite containing equant...
Authors
Jacob B. Lowenstern, W. David Sinclair
Geology and geothermal potential of Alid volcanic center, Eritrea, Africa Geology and geothermal potential of Alid volcanic center, Eritrea, Africa
Alid volcanic center, a 700-meter-tall mountain in Eritrea, northeast Africa, straddles the axis of an active crustal-spreading center called the Danakil Depression. Boiling-temperature fumaroles are common on Alid, and their gas compositions indicate a reservoir temperature of at least 250 ??C. The history of volcanism and the high reservoir temperature indicated by the Alid fumarole...
Authors
Michael A. Clynne, Wendell A. Duffield, Robert O. Fournier, Leake W. Giorgis, Cathy J. Janik, Gabreab Kahsai, Jacob Lowenstern, Kidane W. Mariam, James G. Smith, Theoderos Tesfai
The role of magmas in the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits The role of magmas in the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits
Magmatic fluids, both vapour and hypersaline liquid, are a primary source of many components in hydrothermal ore deposits formed in volcanic arcs. These components, including metals and their ligands, become concentrated in magmas in various ways from various sources, including subducted oceanic crust. Leaching of rocks also contributes components to the hydrothermal fluid—a process...
Authors
Jeffrey W. Hedenquist, Jacob B. Lowenstern
Major-element, trace-element, and volatile concentrations in silicate melt inclusions from the tuff of Pine Grove, Wah Wah Mountains, Utah Major-element, trace-element, and volatile concentrations in silicate melt inclusions from the tuff of Pine Grove, Wah Wah Mountains, Utah
No abstract available.
Authors
Jacob B. Lowenstern, Charles R. Bacon, L. C. Calk, R.L. Hervig, R.D. Aines
*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