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Lisa Faust

Lisa has been a Scientific Illustrator with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory since 1992. She has been managing CVO aviation duties including training and flight following at CVO since 2007. She also serves as the Northwest Regional Aviation Manager and is a member of the USGS Aviation Advisory Committee.

Professional Experience

  • Scientific Illustrator/PST, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 2007 to present.

  • USGS Interagency Aviation Training Liaison, 2007 to present.

  • USGS Regional Aviation Manager (RAM) for the Northwest and Pacific Islands, 2007 to present.

  • RAM (acting) for the Southwest, Midcontinent and Rocky Mountain regions, 2023 to present.

  • Scientific Illustrator, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1992 to 2007.

  • Cartographer/Photogrammetrist (Top Secret/SCI position), Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center, St. Louis, MO, 1982-1987. Recipient of Joint Meritorious Service Award for outstanding achievement during the Gulf War.

  • Other employment: Cartographer, Western Map Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1989 to 1992; Manager (mail order operations), PRS Publishing House, Los Feliz, CA, 1989 to 1992; ESL Instructor/administrative assistant, English Language School, St. Louis, MO, 1986 to 1988; English Instructor–YMCA, Tainan, Taiwan ROC, Goodwill Ambassador Program selectee, 1987.

Education and Certifications

  • Elementary Education and TESOL, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 1989 to 1992, 40 graduate credits.

  • B.A. in Geography/Cartography/Earth Science minor, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, 1981.

  • A.A. in Liberal Studies (with honors) – North Hennepin Community College, Minneapolis, MN, 1979.

Honors and Awards

  • U.S. Department of the Interior Safety and Health Award of Excellence – Group Category, USGS Aviation Safety Team – regional managers, 2024.

  • U.S. Safety and Occupational Health Award of Excellence, Aviation Safety Team, Rocky Mountain Region for outstanding 5-Year OAS aviation safety evaluation results, 2023.

  • U.S. Department of the Interior Award for Excellence of Service, Unit award to the Cascades Volcano Observatory, 2004 eruption of Mount St. Helens, 2005.

  • U.S. Department of the Interior STAR Award, Presented Star Award for outstanding efforts and assistance during the 2004 Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 2005.

  • Washington Science Teachers Association Award, In appreciation for logo design used in state conference used on t-shirts, banners and all promotional materials, 2000.

  • Shoemaker Award, For excellence in communicating scientific information. Print category educational poster entitled “Mount Rainier—the Volcano in your Backyard, 2000. 

  • Notable USGS Star Award, For outstanding creativity in design/completion of a large scale 1999 Puyallup Fair Exhibit and excellence in communicating with collaborators and printing contractor, 2000.

  • Notable USGS Star Award, For continued excellent work in creating attractive, original, easy to understand graphics illustrating volcanoes and volcano behavior, 1998.

  • Media Award Finalist, Media Award Finalist at the National Association for Interpretation Conference, 1995.

  • Special Achievement Award, Received from Regional Hydrologist in appreciation for excellent work, 1995.

  • Notable On the Spot award, For continued ingenuity in creating traveling exhibits, bookmarks, posters and other volcano outreach products, 1995.

  • Notable On the Spot award, For outstanding enhancement of poor-quality original materials used in seminal report Landslide-Debris Avalanche of May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, by H. Glicken, 1996.

  • Notable On the Spot award, For excellence in designing outreach products, 1995.

  • Notable On the Spot award, From the Center Director for preparing over 150 illustrations for AGU monograph under tight deadlines, 1994.

  • Notable On the Spot award, For large scale complex 3-D exhibit graphics used by the NPS at Mount Rainier, 1994.

  • Notable On the Spot award, For completing a large volume of illustrations for GSA under tight deadlines, 1994.

Science and Products

Following the tug of the audience from complex to simplified hazards maps at Cascade Range volcanoes Following the tug of the audience from complex to simplified hazards maps at Cascade Range volcanoes

Volcano-hazard maps are broadly recognized as important tools for forecasting and managing volcanic crises and for disseminating spatial information to authorities and people at risk. As scientists, we might presume that hazards maps can be developed at the time and with the methods of our discretion, yet the co-production of maps with stakeholder groups, who have programmatic needs of...
Authors
Carolyn Driedger, David Ramsey, William E. Scott, Lisa Faust, Joseph A. Bard, Patti Wold
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

It begins with curiosity—How do scientists learn from volcanoes? It begins with curiosity—How do scientists learn from volcanoes?

This poster uses photographs of scientists in action to introduce the principles of critical thinking and curiosity-driven science as they relate to the study of volcanoes. Captions align with educational “Next Generation Science Standards” and include job titles and tasks to increase career awareness among students and their teachers. The poster is available in both English and Spanish.
Authors
Elizabeth Westby, Lisa Faust
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Living with volcano hazards Living with volcano hazards

Volcanic eruptions are among Earth’s most dramatic and powerful agents of change. Ash, mudflows, and lava flows can devastate communities near volcanoes and cause havoc in areas far downwind, downstream, and downslope. Even when a volcano is quiet, steep volcanic slopes can collapse to become landslides, and large rocks can be hurled by powerful steam blasts. Hazardous volcanic...
Authors
Wendy K. Stovall, Carolyn Driedger, Elizabeth Westby, Lisa M. Faust
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Mount St. Helens, 1980 to now—what’s going on? Mount St. Helens, 1980 to now—what’s going on?

Mount St. Helens seized the world’s attention in 1980 when the largest historical landslide on Earth and a powerful explosive eruption reshaped the volcano, created its distinctive crater, and dramatically modified the surrounding landscape. An enormous lava dome grew episodically in the crater until 1986, when the volcano became relatively quiet. A new glacier grew in the crater...
Authors
Daniel Dzurisin, Carolyn Driedger, Lisa Faust
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center, Cascades Volcano Observatory

30 cool facts about Mount St. Helens 30 cool facts about Mount St. Helens

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens.
Authors
Carolyn Driedger, Westby Liz, Lisa Faust, Peter Frenzen, Jeanne Bennett, Michael Clynne
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Living with a volcano in your backyard: An educator's guide with emphasis on Mount Rainier Living with a volcano in your backyard: An educator's guide with emphasis on Mount Rainier

Today’s residents, as well as residents of centuries past, consider Mount Rainier “the spiritual and cultural icon of the Pacific Northwest.” As a backdrop for many of the State’s residents, Mount Rainier offers beauty, solace, inspiration, and challenge. The mountain sets the daily mood for thousands of people who gaze at and respect it. There is no mistaking this object of admiration...
Authors
Carolyn Driedger, Anne Doherty, Cheryl Dixon, Lisa Faust
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Science and Products

Following the tug of the audience from complex to simplified hazards maps at Cascade Range volcanoes Following the tug of the audience from complex to simplified hazards maps at Cascade Range volcanoes

Volcano-hazard maps are broadly recognized as important tools for forecasting and managing volcanic crises and for disseminating spatial information to authorities and people at risk. As scientists, we might presume that hazards maps can be developed at the time and with the methods of our discretion, yet the co-production of maps with stakeholder groups, who have programmatic needs of...
Authors
Carolyn Driedger, David Ramsey, William E. Scott, Lisa Faust, Joseph A. Bard, Patti Wold
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

It begins with curiosity—How do scientists learn from volcanoes? It begins with curiosity—How do scientists learn from volcanoes?

This poster uses photographs of scientists in action to introduce the principles of critical thinking and curiosity-driven science as they relate to the study of volcanoes. Captions align with educational “Next Generation Science Standards” and include job titles and tasks to increase career awareness among students and their teachers. The poster is available in both English and Spanish.
Authors
Elizabeth Westby, Lisa Faust
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Living with volcano hazards Living with volcano hazards

Volcanic eruptions are among Earth’s most dramatic and powerful agents of change. Ash, mudflows, and lava flows can devastate communities near volcanoes and cause havoc in areas far downwind, downstream, and downslope. Even when a volcano is quiet, steep volcanic slopes can collapse to become landslides, and large rocks can be hurled by powerful steam blasts. Hazardous volcanic...
Authors
Wendy K. Stovall, Carolyn Driedger, Elizabeth Westby, Lisa M. Faust
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Mount St. Helens, 1980 to now—what’s going on? Mount St. Helens, 1980 to now—what’s going on?

Mount St. Helens seized the world’s attention in 1980 when the largest historical landslide on Earth and a powerful explosive eruption reshaped the volcano, created its distinctive crater, and dramatically modified the surrounding landscape. An enormous lava dome grew episodically in the crater until 1986, when the volcano became relatively quiet. A new glacier grew in the crater...
Authors
Daniel Dzurisin, Carolyn Driedger, Lisa Faust
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center, Cascades Volcano Observatory

30 cool facts about Mount St. Helens 30 cool facts about Mount St. Helens

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens.
Authors
Carolyn Driedger, Westby Liz, Lisa Faust, Peter Frenzen, Jeanne Bennett, Michael Clynne
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Living with a volcano in your backyard: An educator's guide with emphasis on Mount Rainier Living with a volcano in your backyard: An educator's guide with emphasis on Mount Rainier

Today’s residents, as well as residents of centuries past, consider Mount Rainier “the spiritual and cultural icon of the Pacific Northwest.” As a backdrop for many of the State’s residents, Mount Rainier offers beauty, solace, inspiration, and challenge. The mountain sets the daily mood for thousands of people who gaze at and respect it. There is no mistaking this object of admiration...
Authors
Carolyn Driedger, Anne Doherty, Cheryl Dixon, Lisa Faust
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center
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