Jon Major
My research focuses on hydrological hazards associated with volcanic eruptions and landscape responses to large inputs of sediment, including from dam removals. Projects focus on: (1) identifying hydrogeomorphic processes altered by volcanic disturbance; (2) evaluating hydrogeomorphic consequences; and (3) quantifying characteristic hydrogeomorphic response times and durations.
Professional Experience
Scientist-in-Charge, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 2021–present
Research hydrologist, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1997–2021
Hydrologist, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1993–1997
Geologist, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1984–1993
Hydrologic field assistant, technician, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1982–1984
Other professional service:
Panel member, GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology (QG&G) Division, 2002-2004
Secretary, GSA QG&G Division, 2006-2012
Member, International Organizing Committee, International Debris Flow Hazards Mitigation Conferences (DFHM), 2008-2015
Chair, DFHM IOC, 2008-2012Chair, DFHM IOC, 2008-2012
Co-chair of local planning committee for IAVCEI 2017 Scientific Assembly, Portland,
Education and Certifications
University of Dayton, B.S., 1980, Geology
The Pennsylvania State University, M.S., 1984, Geology
University of Washington, Ph.D., 1996, Geology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Geological Society of America
American Geophysical Union
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of Earth's Interior (IAVCEI)
American Avalanche Association (Member affiliate)
Editor:
Associate editor, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 2000-2011
Associate editor, Journal of Geophysical Research–Earth Surface, 2010-2014
Review editor, Frontiers in Volcanology, 2014 - Present
Co-editor, Geological Society of America Special Paper 375, Natural Hazards in El Salvador
Co-editor, Debris Flow Hazards Mitigation--Mechanics, Prediction, and Assessment: Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Debris Flow Hazards Mitigation (Millpress)
Chief guest editor, Andean Geology issue focused on the eruption of Chaitén Volcano (2013, v. 40(2))
Honors and Awards
Fellow, Geological Society of America (GSA)
E.B. Burwell Award, GSA, 1991
University of Dayton Alumni Special Achievement Award, 1999
Kirk Bryan Award, GSA, 2008
DOI Superior Service Award, 2018
Science and Products
My research publications can be parsed among various disciplinary studies. A full listing can be found on my Google Scholar profile (search for this via your web browser) and under the publications tab listing below. Publication topics include:
- Landslides, debris flows, and slurry rheology
- Volcanic eruptions and volcaniclastic processes (lahars, pyroclastic flows)
- Hydrogeomorphic responses to eruptions
- Geomorphic and ecologic responses to dam removals
- Photogrammetric analyses of eruptive processes
Experimental studies of deposition by debris flows: Process, characteristics of deposits, and effects of pore-fluid pressure
Experimental studies of deposition at a debris-flow flume
Unusual ice diamicts emplaced during the December 15, 1989 eruption of Redoubt volcano, Alaska
Disruption of Drift glacier and origin of floods during the 1989-1990 eruptions of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska
Rheometry of natural sediment slurries
Debris flow rheology: Experimental analysis of fine-grained slurries
Rheological analysis of fine-grained natural debris-flow material
Snow and ice perturbation during historical volcanic eruptions and the formation of lahars and floods
Comment on ''Hydroseismicity-A hypothesis for the role of water in the generation of intraplate seismicity''
Volcaniclastic sedimentation in the Lewis River Valley, Mount St. Helens, Washington; processes, extent, and hazards
Rainfall, ground-water flow, and seasonal movement at Minor Creek landslide, northwestern California: Physical interpretation of empirical relations
Reconnaissance investigation of sediment distribution, erosion, and transport in the upper Deschutes River, Deschutes County, Oregon, November 1986
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
- Publications
My research publications can be parsed among various disciplinary studies. A full listing can be found on my Google Scholar profile (search for this via your web browser) and under the publications tab listing below. Publication topics include:
- Landslides, debris flows, and slurry rheology
- Volcanic eruptions and volcaniclastic processes (lahars, pyroclastic flows)
- Hydrogeomorphic responses to eruptions
- Geomorphic and ecologic responses to dam removals
- Photogrammetric analyses of eruptive processes
Filter Total Items: 99Experimental studies of deposition by debris flows: Process, characteristics of deposits, and effects of pore-fluid pressure
No abstract available.AuthorsJon J. MajorExperimental studies of deposition at a debris-flow flume
Geologists commonly infer the flow conditions and the physical properties of debris flows from the sedimentologic, stratigraphic, and morphologic characteristics of their deposits. However, such inferences commonly lack corroboration by direct observation because the capricious nature of debris flows makes systematic observation and measurement of natural events both difficult and dangerous. FurthAuthorsJon J. MajorUnusual ice diamicts emplaced during the December 15, 1989 eruption of Redoubt volcano, Alaska
Ice diamict comprising clasts of glacier ice and subordinate rock debris in a matrix of ice (snow) grains, coarse ash, and frozen pore water was deposited during the eruption of Redoubt Volcano on December 15, 1989. Rounded clasts of glacier ice and snowpack are as large as 2.5 m, clasts of Redoubt andesite and basement crystalline rocks reach 1 m, and tabular clasts of entrained snowpack are as lAuthorsR. B. Waitt, C. A. Gardner, T. C. Pierson, J. J. Major, C. A. NealDisruption of Drift glacier and origin of floods during the 1989-1990 eruptions of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska
Melting of snow and glacier ice during the 1989–1990 eruption of Redoubt Volcano caused winter flooding of the Drift River. Drift glacier was beheaded when 113 to 121 × 106 m3 of perennial snow and ice were mechanically entrained in hot-rock avalanches and pyroclastic flows initiated by the four largest eruptions between 14 December 1989 and 14 March 1990. The disruption of Drift glacier was dominAuthorsD.C. Trabant, R. B. Waitt, J. J. MajorRheometry of natural sediment slurries
Recent experimental analyses of natural sediment slurries yield diverse results yet exhibit broad commonality of rheological responses under a range of conditions and shear rates. Results show that the relation between shear stress and shear rate is primarily nonlinear, that the relation can display marked hysteresis, that minimum shear stress can occur following yield, that physical properties ofAuthorsJon J. MajorDebris flow rheology: Experimental analysis of fine-grained slurries
The rheology of slurries consisting of ≤2-mm sediment from a natural debris flow deposit was measured using a wide-gap concentric-cylinder viscometer. The influence of sediment concentration and size and distribution of grains on the bulk rheological behavior of the slurries was evaluated at concentrations ranging from 0.44 to 0.66. The slurries exhibit diverse rheological behavior. At shear ratesAuthorsJon J. Major, Thomas C. PiersonRheological analysis of fine-grained natural debris-flow material
Experiments were conducted on large samples of fine-grained material (???2mm) from a natural debris flow using a wide-gap concentric-cylinder viscometer. The rheological behavior of this material is compatible with a Bingham model at shear rates in excess of 5 sec. At lesser shear rates, rheological behavior of the material deviates from the Bingham model, and when sand concentration of the slurryAuthorsJon J. Major, Thomas C. PiersonSnow and ice perturbation during historical volcanic eruptions and the formation of lahars and floods
Historical eruptions have produced lahars and floods by perturbing snow and ice at more than 40 volcanoes worldwide. Most of these volcanoes are located at latitudes higher than 35°; those at lower latitudes reach altitudes generally above 4000 m. Volcanic events can perturb mantles of snow and ice in at least five ways: (1) scouring and melting by flowing pyroclastic debris or blasts of hot gasesAuthorsJon J. Major, Christopher G. NewhallComment on ''Hydroseismicity-A hypothesis for the role of water in the generation of intraplate seismicity''
No abstract available.AuthorsJon J. Major, Richard M. Iverson, John K. Costain, G. A. Bollinger, J. Alexander SpeerVolcaniclastic sedimentation in the Lewis River Valley, Mount St. Helens, Washington; processes, extent, and hazards
No abstract available.AuthorsJon J. Major, Kevin M. ScottRainfall, ground-water flow, and seasonal movement at Minor Creek landslide, northwestern California: Physical interpretation of empirical relations
Simple ground-water flow analyses can clarify complex empirical relations between rainfall and landslide motion. Here we present detailed data on rainfall, ground-water flow, and repetitive seasonal motion that occurred from 1982 to 1985 at Minor Creek landslide in northwestern California, and we interpret these data in the context of physically based theories. We find that landslide motion is cloAuthorsR. M. Iverson, J. J. MajorReconnaissance investigation of sediment distribution, erosion, and transport in the upper Deschutes River, Deschutes County, Oregon, November 1986
A preliminary investigation of sediment distribution, erosion, and transport in the upper Deschutes River was conducted in response to the perceived problem that brown trout spawning gravels were being rendered unusable due to an accumulation of fine-grained sediment. Contrary to the contention that channel gravels are being covered by fine-grained sediment, examination of the river channel at sevAuthorsK. A. Cameron, J. J. Major - News
*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