View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.
Laszlo Kestay, Ph.D.
Laszlo Kestay is a planetary volcanologist at the US Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center.
Laszlo Kestay is a planetary volcanologist working for the US Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center. His last name was formerly Keszthelyi and this spelling is still used for his publications. He has worked for the USGS since 1991 but was only hired in 2003. He is member of the NASA MRO HiRISE and ESA ExoMars CaSSIS science teams.
Professional Experience
2003-present, Research Geologist, Astrogeology Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey. Studying volcanism across the Solar System with remote sensing, numerical modeling, and field studies. Involved in assessing natural resources across the Solar System and the hazards posed by meteorite impacts.
2012-2018, Science Center Director, Astrogeology Science Center U.S. Geological Survey. Manage the science center as it enables humankind's exploration of the Solar System with support for space missions from conception to beyond the grave.
2011, Associate Science Center Director for Technical Operations, Astrogeology Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey. Overseeing the technical activities (cartography, software development, computer science, data archival, etc.) in the Astrogeology Science Center.
2004-2007, Assistant Team Chief Scientist
1994-1996, NSF Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Hawaii at Manoa and U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Supervisor: Stephen Self
Education and Certifications
B.S., Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, 1987, The University of Texas at Austin
B.S. with Honors, Geological Sciences (Geophysics Option), Summa Cum Laude, 1988, The University of Texas at Austin
M.S., Planetary Science, 1993, Caltech
Ph.D., Geology, 1994, Caltech. Thesis: On the Thermal Budget of Pahoehoe Lava Flows, Advisor: Bruce C. Murray
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Pu’u ‘Ō’ō Crater
View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.
Filter Total Items: 77
The flood lavas of Kasei Valles, Mars The flood lavas of Kasei Valles, Mars
Both the northern and southern arms of Kasei Valles are occupied by platy-ridged flood lavas. We have mapped these flows and examined their morphology to better understand their emplacement. The lavas were emplaced as high-flux, turbulent flows (exceeding 106 m3 s−1). Lava in southern Kasei Valles can be traced back up onto the Tharsis rise, which is also the likely source of lavas in...
Authors
Colin Dundas, Glen Cushing, Laszlo Keszthelyi
The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) is the main imaging system onboard the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) which was launched on 14 March 2016. CaSSIS is intended to acquire moderately high resolution (4.6 m/pixel) targeted images of Mars at a rate of 10–20 images per day from a roughly circular orbit 400 km above the surface. Each image can be...
Authors
N. Thomas, G. Cremonese, R. Ziethe, M. Gerber, M. Brandli, G. Bruno, M. Erismann, L. Gambicorti, T. Gerber, K. Ghose, M. Gruber, P. Gubler, H. Mischler, J. Jost, D. Piazza, A. Pommerol, M. Rieder, V. Roloff, A. Servonet, W. Trottmann, T. Uthaicharoenpong, C. Zimmermann, D. Vernani, M. Johnson, E. Pelo, T. Weigel, J. Viertl, N. De Roux, P. Lochmatter, G. Sutter, A. Casciello, T. Hausner, I. Ficai Veltroni, V. Da Deppo, P. Orleanski, W. Nowosielski, T. Zawistowski, S. Szalai, B. Sodor, S. Tulyakov, G. Troznai, M. Banaskiewicz, J.C. Bridges, S. Byrne, S. Debei, M. R. El-Maarry, E. Hauber, C.J. Hansen, A. Ivanov, L. Keszthelyil, Randolph Kirk, R. Kuzmin, N. Mangold, L. Marinangeli, W. Markiewicz, M. Massironi, A. McEwen, Chris Okubo, L.L. Tornabene, P. Wajer, J.J. Wray
The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center
In 1960, Eugene Shoemaker and a small team of other scientists founded the field of astrogeology to develop tools and methods for astronauts studying the geology of the Moon and other planetary bodies. Subsequently, in 1962, the U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Astrogeology was established in Menlo Park, California. In 1963, the Branch moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, to be closer to the...
Authors
Laszlo Keszthelyi, R. Vaughan, Lisa Gaddis, Kenneth Herkenhoff, Justin Hagerty
Feasibility study for the quantitative assessment of mineral resources in asteroids Feasibility study for the quantitative assessment of mineral resources in asteroids
This study was undertaken to determine if the U.S. Geological Survey’s process for conducting mineral resource assessments on Earth can be applied to asteroids. Successful completion of the assessment, using water and iron resources to test the workflow, has resulted in identification of the minimal adjustments required to conduct full resource assessments beyond Earth. We also identify...
Authors
Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, Justin Hagerty, Amanda Bowers, Karl Ellefsen, Trude King, Ian Ridley, David Trilling, Nicholas Moskovitz, Will Grundy
Determination of eruption temperature of Io's lavas using lava tube skylights Determination of eruption temperature of Io's lavas using lava tube skylights
Determining the eruption temperature of Io's dominant silicate lavas would constrain Io's present interior state and composition. We have examined how eruption temperature can be estimated at lava tube skylights through synthesis of thermal emission from the incandescent lava flowing within the lava tube. Lava tube skylights should be present along Io's long-lived lava flow fields, and...
Authors
Ashley G. Davies, Laszlo Keszthelyi, Alfred McEwen
Observing outer planet satellites (except Titan) with the James Webb Space Telescope: Science justification and observational requirements Observing outer planet satellites (except Titan) with the James Webb Space Telescope: Science justification and observational requirements
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will allow observations with a unique combination of spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution for the study of outer planet satellites within our Solar System. We highlight the infrared spectroscopy of icy moons and temporal changes on geologically active satellites as two particularly valuable avenues of scientific inquiry. While some care must be...
Authors
Laszlo Keszthelyi, Will Grundy, John Stansberry, Anand Sivaramakrishnan, Deepashri Thatte, Murthy Gudipati, Constantine Tsang, Alexandra Greenbaum, Chima McGruder
Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars
The Athabasca Valles flood lava is among the most recent (
Authors
Vincenzo Cataldo, David A. Williams, Colin Dundas, Laszlo Keszthelyi
Temperature profile around a basaltic sill intruded into wet sediments Temperature profile around a basaltic sill intruded into wet sediments
The transfer of heat into wet sediments from magmatic intrusions or lava flows is not well constrained from field data. Such field constraints on numerical models of heat transfer could significantly improve our understanding of water–lava interactions. We use experimentally calibrated pollen darkening to measure the temperature profile around a basaltic sill emplaced into wet lakebed...
Authors
Leslie Baker, Andrew Bernard, William Rember, Moses Milazzo, Colin Dundas, Oleg Abramov, Laszlo Keszthelyi
A field investigation of the basaltic ring structures of the Channeled Scabland and the relevance to Mars A field investigation of the basaltic ring structures of the Channeled Scabland and the relevance to Mars
The basaltic ring structure (BRS) is a class of peculiar features only reported in the Channeled Scabland of eastern Washington State. They have been suggested to be good analogs, however, for some circular features on Mars. BRSs are found where Pleistocene floods scoured the Columbia River Basin, stripping off the uppermost part of the Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group and exposing...
Authors
Laszlo Keszthelyi, Windy Jaeger
Provisional maps of thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, based on satellite thermal infrared imaging and field observations Provisional maps of thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, based on satellite thermal infrared imaging and field observations
Maps that define the current distribution of geothermally heated ground are useful toward setting a baseline for thermal activity to better detect and understand future anomalous hydrothermal and (or) volcanic activity. Monitoring changes in the dynamic thermal areas also supports decisions regarding the development of Yellowstone National Park infrastructure, preservation and protection...
Authors
R. Vaughan, Henry Heasler, Cheryl Jaworowski, Jacob Lowenstern, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Emplacement and erosive effects of the south Kasei Valles lava on Mars Emplacement and erosive effects of the south Kasei Valles lava on Mars
Although it has generally been accepted that the Martian outflow channels were carved by floods of water, observations of large channels on Venus and Mercury demonstrate that lava flows can cause substantial erosion. Recent observations of large lava flows within outflow channels on Mars have revived discussion of the hypothesis that the Martian channels are also produced by lava. An...
Authors
Colin Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Modeling steam pressure under martian lava flows Modeling steam pressure under martian lava flows
Rootless cones on Mars are a valuable indicator of past interactions between lava and water. However, the details of the lava–water interactions are not fully understood, limiting the ability to use these features to infer new information about past water on Mars. We have developed a model for the pressurization of a dry layer of porous regolith by melting and boiling ground ice in the...
Authors
Colin Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Pu’u ‘Ō’ō Crater
View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.
View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.
Filter Total Items: 77
The flood lavas of Kasei Valles, Mars The flood lavas of Kasei Valles, Mars
Both the northern and southern arms of Kasei Valles are occupied by platy-ridged flood lavas. We have mapped these flows and examined their morphology to better understand their emplacement. The lavas were emplaced as high-flux, turbulent flows (exceeding 106 m3 s−1). Lava in southern Kasei Valles can be traced back up onto the Tharsis rise, which is also the likely source of lavas in...
Authors
Colin Dundas, Glen Cushing, Laszlo Keszthelyi
The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) is the main imaging system onboard the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) which was launched on 14 March 2016. CaSSIS is intended to acquire moderately high resolution (4.6 m/pixel) targeted images of Mars at a rate of 10–20 images per day from a roughly circular orbit 400 km above the surface. Each image can be...
Authors
N. Thomas, G. Cremonese, R. Ziethe, M. Gerber, M. Brandli, G. Bruno, M. Erismann, L. Gambicorti, T. Gerber, K. Ghose, M. Gruber, P. Gubler, H. Mischler, J. Jost, D. Piazza, A. Pommerol, M. Rieder, V. Roloff, A. Servonet, W. Trottmann, T. Uthaicharoenpong, C. Zimmermann, D. Vernani, M. Johnson, E. Pelo, T. Weigel, J. Viertl, N. De Roux, P. Lochmatter, G. Sutter, A. Casciello, T. Hausner, I. Ficai Veltroni, V. Da Deppo, P. Orleanski, W. Nowosielski, T. Zawistowski, S. Szalai, B. Sodor, S. Tulyakov, G. Troznai, M. Banaskiewicz, J.C. Bridges, S. Byrne, S. Debei, M. R. El-Maarry, E. Hauber, C.J. Hansen, A. Ivanov, L. Keszthelyil, Randolph Kirk, R. Kuzmin, N. Mangold, L. Marinangeli, W. Markiewicz, M. Massironi, A. McEwen, Chris Okubo, L.L. Tornabene, P. Wajer, J.J. Wray
The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center
In 1960, Eugene Shoemaker and a small team of other scientists founded the field of astrogeology to develop tools and methods for astronauts studying the geology of the Moon and other planetary bodies. Subsequently, in 1962, the U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Astrogeology was established in Menlo Park, California. In 1963, the Branch moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, to be closer to the...
Authors
Laszlo Keszthelyi, R. Vaughan, Lisa Gaddis, Kenneth Herkenhoff, Justin Hagerty
Feasibility study for the quantitative assessment of mineral resources in asteroids Feasibility study for the quantitative assessment of mineral resources in asteroids
This study was undertaken to determine if the U.S. Geological Survey’s process for conducting mineral resource assessments on Earth can be applied to asteroids. Successful completion of the assessment, using water and iron resources to test the workflow, has resulted in identification of the minimal adjustments required to conduct full resource assessments beyond Earth. We also identify...
Authors
Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, Justin Hagerty, Amanda Bowers, Karl Ellefsen, Trude King, Ian Ridley, David Trilling, Nicholas Moskovitz, Will Grundy
Determination of eruption temperature of Io's lavas using lava tube skylights Determination of eruption temperature of Io's lavas using lava tube skylights
Determining the eruption temperature of Io's dominant silicate lavas would constrain Io's present interior state and composition. We have examined how eruption temperature can be estimated at lava tube skylights through synthesis of thermal emission from the incandescent lava flowing within the lava tube. Lava tube skylights should be present along Io's long-lived lava flow fields, and...
Authors
Ashley G. Davies, Laszlo Keszthelyi, Alfred McEwen
Observing outer planet satellites (except Titan) with the James Webb Space Telescope: Science justification and observational requirements Observing outer planet satellites (except Titan) with the James Webb Space Telescope: Science justification and observational requirements
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will allow observations with a unique combination of spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution for the study of outer planet satellites within our Solar System. We highlight the infrared spectroscopy of icy moons and temporal changes on geologically active satellites as two particularly valuable avenues of scientific inquiry. While some care must be...
Authors
Laszlo Keszthelyi, Will Grundy, John Stansberry, Anand Sivaramakrishnan, Deepashri Thatte, Murthy Gudipati, Constantine Tsang, Alexandra Greenbaum, Chima McGruder
Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars
The Athabasca Valles flood lava is among the most recent (
Authors
Vincenzo Cataldo, David A. Williams, Colin Dundas, Laszlo Keszthelyi
Temperature profile around a basaltic sill intruded into wet sediments Temperature profile around a basaltic sill intruded into wet sediments
The transfer of heat into wet sediments from magmatic intrusions or lava flows is not well constrained from field data. Such field constraints on numerical models of heat transfer could significantly improve our understanding of water–lava interactions. We use experimentally calibrated pollen darkening to measure the temperature profile around a basaltic sill emplaced into wet lakebed...
Authors
Leslie Baker, Andrew Bernard, William Rember, Moses Milazzo, Colin Dundas, Oleg Abramov, Laszlo Keszthelyi
A field investigation of the basaltic ring structures of the Channeled Scabland and the relevance to Mars A field investigation of the basaltic ring structures of the Channeled Scabland and the relevance to Mars
The basaltic ring structure (BRS) is a class of peculiar features only reported in the Channeled Scabland of eastern Washington State. They have been suggested to be good analogs, however, for some circular features on Mars. BRSs are found where Pleistocene floods scoured the Columbia River Basin, stripping off the uppermost part of the Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group and exposing...
Authors
Laszlo Keszthelyi, Windy Jaeger
Provisional maps of thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, based on satellite thermal infrared imaging and field observations Provisional maps of thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, based on satellite thermal infrared imaging and field observations
Maps that define the current distribution of geothermally heated ground are useful toward setting a baseline for thermal activity to better detect and understand future anomalous hydrothermal and (or) volcanic activity. Monitoring changes in the dynamic thermal areas also supports decisions regarding the development of Yellowstone National Park infrastructure, preservation and protection...
Authors
R. Vaughan, Henry Heasler, Cheryl Jaworowski, Jacob Lowenstern, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Emplacement and erosive effects of the south Kasei Valles lava on Mars Emplacement and erosive effects of the south Kasei Valles lava on Mars
Although it has generally been accepted that the Martian outflow channels were carved by floods of water, observations of large channels on Venus and Mercury demonstrate that lava flows can cause substantial erosion. Recent observations of large lava flows within outflow channels on Mars have revived discussion of the hypothesis that the Martian channels are also produced by lava. An...
Authors
Colin Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Modeling steam pressure under martian lava flows Modeling steam pressure under martian lava flows
Rootless cones on Mars are a valuable indicator of past interactions between lava and water. However, the details of the lava–water interactions are not fully understood, limiting the ability to use these features to infer new information about past water on Mars. We have developed a model for the pressurization of a dry layer of porous regolith by melting and boiling ground ice in the...
Authors
Colin Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi