I am a physical volcanologist who specializes in volcanic stability and associated hazards, as well as volcanic hazard modeling and communication.
As the Associate Scientist-In-Charge for Hazard Assessment and Communication at the USGS California Volcano Observatory (CalVO), I lead activities at the intersection of hazards research and risk communication. I design, conduct, adapt, and synthesize volcanic hazard research and use forward modeling to forecast and assess societal exposure and vulnerability to adverse events. I translate hazard information to policy makers, civil authorities and the public in order to effectively communicate the importance and relevance of volcanic hazards in the State of California. I entered the USGS as a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, studying the effects of elevated rock pore pressure on stratovolcano flank stability.
Where I work
At the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, my goals are to unravel the age and progression of maar eruptions, which comprise the youngest eruptive activity in the field. Maars form from steam explosions that occur when magma and water interact, and their craters can be created in single explosions or multiple explosions at the same spot. The ash and rocks thrown up by these maars is present in many places around Clear Lake, particularly around Mount Konocti. If the maars are young enough to have the potential for future eruptions, understanding their dynamics and evolution will be very important for hazard assessment at Clear Lake.
At Mount Shasta, I am using decades of geological mapping, lidar DEMs, and the LaharZ_py model to simulate what would happen if lahars (volcanic mudflows) were to occur as a result of volcanic activity. Lahars are one of the most common hazards on snow-and-ice-capped stratovolcanoes, and while this photo shows that Shasta doesn't always have snow on its flanks, in the wintertime its snow cap can be up to 5 m deep. This would provide ample water to feed lahars that could travel down the volcano's drainages and across its broad, populated lower flanks. By simulating lahars of different sizes and calculating their arrival times, I am creating maps that can be used for planning both in long-term land-use and hazard mitigation, and for response to any lahars that do happen.
As a volcanic hazard communicator, I'm one of the public faces for the USGS Volcano Science Center. I'm a part of the social media team for USGS Volcanoes, which means that I help manage social media feeds and websites, create content for the web, manage outreach activities, and act as a media contact for the California Volcano Observatory. On the past, I've been a part of the media response to the 2018 Kilauea eruption, promoted CalVO and other USGS observatories to policymakers, and represented the USGS in briefings on Capitol Hill. I'm also responsible for building relationships with CalVO's stakeholders, and working with them to make our volcanic hazard products and communications effective.
Professional Experience
2018 - Present: Associate Scientist-in-Charge for Hazard Assessment and Communication, USGS California Volcano Observatory
2014-2018: USGS Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, Volcano Science Center
2014-2015: Science Policy Fellow, Geological Society of America, Washington, DC
2008-2014: TA and Research Assistant, Department of Geology, University at Buffalo
2007-2008: Earth Science Week Intern, American Geosciences Institute
Education and Certifications
PhD: 2014, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
BS: 2007, Magna Cum Laude, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Field Methods in Volcanology: 2007, Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, University of Hawaii at Hilo
FEMA Instructor Certification for Volcanic Crisis Awareness (AWR-233), Mar 2018 - Present
Affiliations and Memberships*
Member, Geological Society of America, 2004 - Present
Member, American Geophysical Union, 2008 - Present
Member, International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, 2015
Outreach and Communications Chair, Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology Section, American Geophysical Union, 2020-Present
Member, Thriving Earth Exchange Advisory Board, American Geophysical Union, Jan 2013–Jan 2020
Member, American Geophysical Union Student / Early Career Leaders Committee, Sep 2015–2018
Chair, Science For Solutions Award Committee, American Geophysical Union, Sep 2014–Sep 2017
Member, Science For Solutions Award Committee, American Geophysical Union, Jan 2013–Sep 2014
Student Representative, Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology Section, American Geophysical Union, 2013-2015
Member, GSA Science and Society ad hoc Communications Committee, Feb–Dec 2016
Member, Grand Challenge Working Group, American Geophysical Union, Jan–Dec 2012
Member, eGSA Committee, Geological Society of America, 2009 – 2012
Honors and Awards
Shoemaker Communications Award, USGS, 2020
Shoemaker Communications Award, USGS, 2019
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2009-2012
Pegrum Professional Development Award, University at Buffalo, 2010, 2011 & 2012
Magna Cum Laude, College of William & Mary, 2007
Highest Honors, Department of Geology, College of William & Mary, 2007
Monroe Scholar, College of William & Mary, 2004
Science and Products
*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