Matthew Loewen
I work as a geologist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory with a background in igneous petrology. I specialize in in-situ geochemistry and tephra textural studies, which I use to understand volcanic eruption style, eruption history, and the origin and evolution of magmas.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey—Alaska Volcano Observatory, 2017–present
Instructor, Oregon State University, January 2017–March 2017
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Oregon, March 2014–June 2016
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Oregon State University, 2008–2013
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Geology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, March 2014
M.S. in Geology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, September 2011
B.S. in Geology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, May 2008
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 21
2021 Volcanic activity in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 2021 Volcanic activity in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
In 2021, the Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, increased seismicity, and other significant activity at 15 volcanic centers in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Eruptive activity in Alaska consisted of repeated small, ash-producing, phreatomagmatic explosions from Mount Young on Semisopochnoi Island; an...
Authors
Tim R. Orr, Hannah R. Dietterich, David Fee, Tarsilo Girona, Ronni Grapenthin, Matthew M. Haney, Matthew W. Loewen, John J. Lyons, John A. Power, Hans F. Schwaiger, David J. Schneider, Darren Tan, Liam Toney, Valerie K. Wasser, Christopher F. Waythomas
Probabilistic source classification of large tephra producing eruptions using supervised machine learning: An example from the Alaska-Aleutian arc Probabilistic source classification of large tephra producing eruptions using supervised machine learning: An example from the Alaska-Aleutian arc
Alaska contains over 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields that have been active within the last 2 million years. Of these, roughly 90 have erupted during the Holocene, with many characterized by at least one large explosive eruption. These large tephra-producing eruptions (LTPEs) generate orders of magnitude more erupted material than a “typical” arc explosive eruption and distribute ash...
Authors
Jordan Edward Lubbers, Matthew W. Loewen, Kristi L. Wallace, Michelle L. Coombs, Jason A. Addison
Glass electron microprobe analyses methods, precision and accuracy for tephra studies in Alaska Glass electron microprobe analyses methods, precision and accuracy for tephra studies in Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
Matthew W. Loewen, Kristi L. Wallace, Jordan Edward Lubbers, Dawn Catherine Sweeney Ruth, Pavel Izbekov, Jessica Larsen, Nathan Graham
Historically active volcanoes of Alaska reference deck Historically active volcanoes of Alaska reference deck
No abstract available.
Authors
Cheryl E. Cameron, Kristen A. H. Janssen, Tim R. Orr, Matthew W. Loewen
Petrology and geochronology of Cretaceous–Eocene plutonic rocks in northeastern Washington, USA: Crustal thickening, slab rollback, and origin of the Challis episode Petrology and geochronology of Cretaceous–Eocene plutonic rocks in northeastern Washington, USA: Crustal thickening, slab rollback, and origin of the Challis episode
Cretaceous through Eocene plutonic rocks in northeastern Washington, USA, document a 60 m.y. history of crustal thickening and subsequent collapse and extension in response to two terrane-accretion events. Rocks emplaced 113–53 Ma have increasing La/Yb ratios reflecting orogenic plateau development after arrival of the Insular terrane by 100 Ma. Plutons emplaced 52–45 Ma (the Challis...
Authors
Jeffery H. Tepper, Matthew W. Loewen, Liam M. Caulfield, Peter C. Davidson, Kaitlin L. Ruthenberg, Samuel WF Blakely, Duncan FJF Knudsen, Devin Black, Bruce K Nelson, Yemane Asmerom
2019 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 2019 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, increased seismicity, and other significant activity at 17 volcanic centers in Alaska in 2019. The most notable volcanic activity was an eruption of Shishaldin Volcano, featuring eruptive activity that produced lava flows, lahars, and ash. Weak explosive activity also took place at Great Sitkin...
Authors
Tim R. Orr, Cheryl E. Cameron, Hannah R. Dietterich, James P. Dixon, Max L. Enders, Ronni Grapenthin, Alexandra M. Iezzi, Matthew W. Loewen, John A. Power, Cheryl Searcy, Gabrielle Tepp, Liam Toney, Christopher F. Waythomas, Aaron G. Wech
Non-USGS Publications**
Loewen, M. W., Bindeman, I. N., & Melnik, O. E. (2017). Eruption mechanisms and short duration of large rhyolitic lava flows of Yellowstone. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 458, 80–91. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.10.034
Ustunisik, G., Loewen, M. W., Nielsen, R. L., & Tepley, F. J., III. (2016). Interpretation of the provenance of small-scale heterogeneity as documented in a single eruptive unit from Mt. Jefferson, Central Oregon Cascades. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 17, 1–19. http://doi.org/10.1002/2016GC006297
Tuohy, R. M., Wallace, P. J., Loewen, M. W., Swanson, D. A., & Kent, A. J. (2016). Magma transport and olivine crystallization depths in Kīlauea's east rift zone inferred from experimentally rehomogenized melt inclusions. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 185(C), 232–250. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.04.020
Loewen, M. W., & Bindeman, I. N. (2016). Oxygen isotope thermometry reveals high magmatic temperatures and short residence times in Yellowstone and other hot-dry rhyolites compared to cold-wet systems. American Mineralogist, 101, 1222–1227. http://doi.org/10.2138/am-2016-5591
Drew, D. L., Bindeman, I. N., Loewen, M. W., & Wallace, P. J. (2016). Initiation of large‐volume silicic centers in the Yellowstone hotspot track: insights from H2O- and F-rich quartz-hosted rhyolitic melt inclusions in the Arbon Valley Tuff of the Snake River Plain. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 171, 10. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-015-1210-z
Loewen, M. W., & Bindeman, I. N. (2015). Oxygen isotope and trace element evidence for three‐stage petrogenesis of the youngest episode (260–79 ka) of Yellowstone rhyolitic volcanism. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 170(4), 1–39. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-015-1189-5
Burns, D. H., de Silva, S. L., Tepley, F. J., III, Schmitt, A. K., & Loewen, M. W. (2015). Recording the transition from flare-up to steady-state arc magmatism at the Purico–Chascon volcanic complex, northern Chile. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 422(C), 75–86. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.04.002
Loewen, M. W., Duncan, R. A., Kent, A. J., & Krawl, K. (2013). Prolonged plume volcanism in the Caribbean Large Igneous Province: New insights from Curaçao and Haiti. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14(10), 4241–4259. http://doi.org/10.1002/ggge.20273
Loewen, M. W., & Kent, A. J. (2012). Sources of elemental fractionation and uncertainty during the analysis of semi-volatile metals in silicate glasses using LA-ICP-MS. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 27(9), 1502–1508. http://doi.org/10.1039/c2ja30075c
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 21
2021 Volcanic activity in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 2021 Volcanic activity in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
In 2021, the Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, increased seismicity, and other significant activity at 15 volcanic centers in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Eruptive activity in Alaska consisted of repeated small, ash-producing, phreatomagmatic explosions from Mount Young on Semisopochnoi Island; an...
Authors
Tim R. Orr, Hannah R. Dietterich, David Fee, Tarsilo Girona, Ronni Grapenthin, Matthew M. Haney, Matthew W. Loewen, John J. Lyons, John A. Power, Hans F. Schwaiger, David J. Schneider, Darren Tan, Liam Toney, Valerie K. Wasser, Christopher F. Waythomas
Probabilistic source classification of large tephra producing eruptions using supervised machine learning: An example from the Alaska-Aleutian arc Probabilistic source classification of large tephra producing eruptions using supervised machine learning: An example from the Alaska-Aleutian arc
Alaska contains over 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields that have been active within the last 2 million years. Of these, roughly 90 have erupted during the Holocene, with many characterized by at least one large explosive eruption. These large tephra-producing eruptions (LTPEs) generate orders of magnitude more erupted material than a “typical” arc explosive eruption and distribute ash...
Authors
Jordan Edward Lubbers, Matthew W. Loewen, Kristi L. Wallace, Michelle L. Coombs, Jason A. Addison
Glass electron microprobe analyses methods, precision and accuracy for tephra studies in Alaska Glass electron microprobe analyses methods, precision and accuracy for tephra studies in Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
Matthew W. Loewen, Kristi L. Wallace, Jordan Edward Lubbers, Dawn Catherine Sweeney Ruth, Pavel Izbekov, Jessica Larsen, Nathan Graham
Historically active volcanoes of Alaska reference deck Historically active volcanoes of Alaska reference deck
No abstract available.
Authors
Cheryl E. Cameron, Kristen A. H. Janssen, Tim R. Orr, Matthew W. Loewen
Petrology and geochronology of Cretaceous–Eocene plutonic rocks in northeastern Washington, USA: Crustal thickening, slab rollback, and origin of the Challis episode Petrology and geochronology of Cretaceous–Eocene plutonic rocks in northeastern Washington, USA: Crustal thickening, slab rollback, and origin of the Challis episode
Cretaceous through Eocene plutonic rocks in northeastern Washington, USA, document a 60 m.y. history of crustal thickening and subsequent collapse and extension in response to two terrane-accretion events. Rocks emplaced 113–53 Ma have increasing La/Yb ratios reflecting orogenic plateau development after arrival of the Insular terrane by 100 Ma. Plutons emplaced 52–45 Ma (the Challis...
Authors
Jeffery H. Tepper, Matthew W. Loewen, Liam M. Caulfield, Peter C. Davidson, Kaitlin L. Ruthenberg, Samuel WF Blakely, Duncan FJF Knudsen, Devin Black, Bruce K Nelson, Yemane Asmerom
2019 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 2019 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, increased seismicity, and other significant activity at 17 volcanic centers in Alaska in 2019. The most notable volcanic activity was an eruption of Shishaldin Volcano, featuring eruptive activity that produced lava flows, lahars, and ash. Weak explosive activity also took place at Great Sitkin...
Authors
Tim R. Orr, Cheryl E. Cameron, Hannah R. Dietterich, James P. Dixon, Max L. Enders, Ronni Grapenthin, Alexandra M. Iezzi, Matthew W. Loewen, John A. Power, Cheryl Searcy, Gabrielle Tepp, Liam Toney, Christopher F. Waythomas, Aaron G. Wech
Non-USGS Publications**
Loewen, M. W., Bindeman, I. N., & Melnik, O. E. (2017). Eruption mechanisms and short duration of large rhyolitic lava flows of Yellowstone. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 458, 80–91. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.10.034
Ustunisik, G., Loewen, M. W., Nielsen, R. L., & Tepley, F. J., III. (2016). Interpretation of the provenance of small-scale heterogeneity as documented in a single eruptive unit from Mt. Jefferson, Central Oregon Cascades. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 17, 1–19. http://doi.org/10.1002/2016GC006297
Tuohy, R. M., Wallace, P. J., Loewen, M. W., Swanson, D. A., & Kent, A. J. (2016). Magma transport and olivine crystallization depths in Kīlauea's east rift zone inferred from experimentally rehomogenized melt inclusions. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 185(C), 232–250. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.04.020
Loewen, M. W., & Bindeman, I. N. (2016). Oxygen isotope thermometry reveals high magmatic temperatures and short residence times in Yellowstone and other hot-dry rhyolites compared to cold-wet systems. American Mineralogist, 101, 1222–1227. http://doi.org/10.2138/am-2016-5591
Drew, D. L., Bindeman, I. N., Loewen, M. W., & Wallace, P. J. (2016). Initiation of large‐volume silicic centers in the Yellowstone hotspot track: insights from H2O- and F-rich quartz-hosted rhyolitic melt inclusions in the Arbon Valley Tuff of the Snake River Plain. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 171, 10. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-015-1210-z
Loewen, M. W., & Bindeman, I. N. (2015). Oxygen isotope and trace element evidence for three‐stage petrogenesis of the youngest episode (260–79 ka) of Yellowstone rhyolitic volcanism. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 170(4), 1–39. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-015-1189-5
Burns, D. H., de Silva, S. L., Tepley, F. J., III, Schmitt, A. K., & Loewen, M. W. (2015). Recording the transition from flare-up to steady-state arc magmatism at the Purico–Chascon volcanic complex, northern Chile. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 422(C), 75–86. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.04.002
Loewen, M. W., Duncan, R. A., Kent, A. J., & Krawl, K. (2013). Prolonged plume volcanism in the Caribbean Large Igneous Province: New insights from Curaçao and Haiti. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14(10), 4241–4259. http://doi.org/10.1002/ggge.20273
Loewen, M. W., & Kent, A. J. (2012). Sources of elemental fractionation and uncertainty during the analysis of semi-volatile metals in silicate glasses using LA-ICP-MS. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 27(9), 1502–1508. http://doi.org/10.1039/c2ja30075c
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.