Michelle L. Coombs, Ph.D.
Michelle Coombs is a Research Geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Volcanic Science Center. She served as Scientist-in-Charge of the Alaska Volcano Observatory from 2016-2023. In this position, Dr. Coombs leads eruption responses, oversees expansion and modernization of volcano monitoring techniques, and guides applied and fundamental research on a host of problems related to volcanology.
Professional Experience
2016–2023: Scientist-in-Charge, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Volcano Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK
2004–Present: Research Geologist, Alaska Volcano Observatory
2001–2004: Research Geologist, Volcano Hazards Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park CA
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Affiliate faculty, University of Alaska Fairbanks
CONVERSE Steering Committee member, 2020–present
Member of AGU student awards committee, 2011–2015
Associate Editor, Bulletin of Volcanology, 2013–2016
Editorial board, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2007–2018
Co-editor for 28-chapter USGS Professional Paper 1769, The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, 2010
Co-editor for Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research special issue on Growth and collapse of Hawaiian volcanoes, 2006
Education and Certifications
Williams College, BA Geology, 1994
University of Alaska Fairbanks, PhD Geology, 2001
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union, 1996–present
Geological Society of America, 2001–present (elected Fellow in 2015)
International Assoc. of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior, 1999–present
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 78
Public outreach and communications of the Alaska Volcano Observatory during the 2005-2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 27 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Public outreach and communications of the Alaska Volcano Observatory during the 2005-2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 27 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
The 2005-6 eruption of Augustine Volcano in the Cook Inlet region, Alaska, greatly increased public desire for volcano hazard information, as this eruption was the most significant in Cook Inlet since 1992. In response to this heightened concern, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) increased ongoing efforts to deliver specific eruption-focused information to communities nearest to the...
Authors
Jennifer N. Adleman, Cheryl E. Cameron, Seth F. Snedigar, Christina A. Neal, Kristi L. Wallace
Emission of SO2, CO2, and H2S from Augustine Volcano, 2002-2008: Chapter 26 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Emission of SO2, CO2, and H2S from Augustine Volcano, 2002-2008: Chapter 26 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Airborne surveillance of gas emissions from Augustine Volcano and other Cook Inlet volcanoes began in 1990 to identify baseline emission levels during noneruptive conditions. Gas measurements at Augustine for SO2, CO2, and H2S showed essentially no evidence of anomalous degassing through spring 2005. Neither did a measurement on May 10, 2005, right after the onset of low level seismicity...
Authors
Kenneth A. McGee, Michael P. Doukas, Robert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal, Rick L. Wessels
Lightning and electrical activity during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 25 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Lightning and electrical activity during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 25 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Lightning and other electrical activity were measured during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano. We found two phases of the activity, the explosive phase corresponding to the explosive eruptions and the plume phase. We classified the lightning into three types, vent discharges, near-vent lightning, and plume lightning. Vent discharges are small, 10 to 100 m sparks, that occur at rate...
Authors
Ronald J. Thomas, Stephen R. McNutt, Paul R. Krehbiel, William Rison, Grayden Aulich, Harald Edens, Guy Tytgat, Edward Clark
Imaging observations of thermal emissions from Augustine Volcano using a small astronomical camera: Chapter 24 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Imaging observations of thermal emissions from Augustine Volcano using a small astronomical camera: Chapter 24 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Long-exposure visible-light images of Augustine Volcano were obtained using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera during several nights of the 2006 eruption. The camera was located 105 km away, at Homer, Alaska, yet showed persistent bright emissions from the north flank of the volcano corresponding to steam releases, pyroclastic flows, and rockfalls originating near the summit. The...
Authors
Davis D. Sentman, Stephen R. McNutt, Hans C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, Guy Tytgat, Nicole DeRoin
The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano - Combined analyses of thermal satellite data and reduced displacement: Chapter 23 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano - Combined analyses of thermal satellite data and reduced displacement: Chapter 23 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Augustine Volcano erupted explosively after 20 years of quiescence on January 11, 2006, followed by approximately 2 months of dome building and lava extrusion. This is the best monitored eruption in Alaska to date; the diverse complementary datasets gathered enable an interdisciplinary interpretation of volcanic activity. An analysis of reduced displacement (continuous measure of seismic...
Authors
Saskia M. van Manen, Jonathan Dehn, Michael E. West, Stephen Blake, David A. Rothery
High-resolution satellite and airborne thermal infrared imaging of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 22 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska High-resolution satellite and airborne thermal infrared imaging of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 22 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Thermal infrared (TIR) images provided a timely pre- and syn-eruption record of summit changes, lava flow emplacement, and pyroclastic-flow-deposit distribution during the Alaska Volcano Observatory's (AVO) response to the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano. A series of images from both handheld and helicopter mounted forward looking infrared radiometers (FLIR) captured detailed views...
Authors
Rick L. Wessels, Michelle L. Coombs, David J. Schneider, Jonathan Dehn, Michael S. Ramsey
Volcanic-ash dispersion modeling of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano using the Puff model: Chapter 21 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Volcanic-ash dispersion modeling of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano using the Puff model: Chapter 21 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Volcanic ash is one of the major potential hazards from volcanic eruptions. It can have both short-range effects from proximal ashfall and long range impacts from volcanic ash clouds. The timely tracking and understanding of recently emitted volcanic ash clouds is important, because they can cause severe damage to jet aircraft engines and shut down major airports. Dispersion models play...
Authors
Peter W. Webley, Kenneson G. Dean, Jonathan Dehn Dehn, John E. Bailey, Rorik Peterson
Integrated satellite observations of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 20 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Integrated satellite observations of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 20 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Satellite observations played an important role in monitoring the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano. It represented the first opportunity for observers to use, in an operational setting, new Web-based tools and techniques developed by the Alaska Volcano Observatory remote sensing group. The 'Okmok Algorithm' was used to analyze thermal infrared satellite data and highlight changes in...
Authors
John E. Bailey, Kenneson G. Dean, Jonathan Dehn, Peter W. Webley
The Plate Boundary Observatory Permanent Global Positioning System Network on Augustine Volcano before and after the 2006 Eruption: Chapter 19 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska The Plate Boundary Observatory Permanent Global Positioning System Network on Augustine Volcano before and after the 2006 Eruption: Chapter 19 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
In September of 2004, UNAVCO and the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) installed five permanent Continuous Global Positioning System (CGPS) stations on Augustine Volcano, supplementing one existing CGPS station operated by the Alaska Volcano Observatory. All six CGPS stations proved crucial to scientists for detecting and monitoring the...
Authors
Benjamin A. Pauk, Michael Jackson, Karl Feaux, David Mencin, Kyle Bohnenstiehl
Surface deformation of Augustine Volcano, 1992-2005, from multiple-interferogram processing using a refined Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) approach: Chapter 18 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Al Surface deformation of Augustine Volcano, 1992-2005, from multiple-interferogram processing using a refined Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) approach: Chapter 18 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Al
Augustine Volcano is an active stratovolcano located in southwestern Cook Inlet, about 280 kilometers southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The volcano produced six significant explosive eruptions between 1812 and 1986. Augustine eruptions typically have an explosive onset followed by dome building. The most recent eruption began on January 11, 2006. We applied the small baseline subset (SBAS)
Authors
Chang-Wook Lee, Zhong Lu, Hyung-Sup Jung, Joong-Sun Won, Daniel Dzurisin
Geodetic constraints on magma movement and withdrawal during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 17 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Geodetic constraints on magma movement and withdrawal during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 17 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
For the first time in the United States, a modern geodetic network of continuously recording Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers has measured a complete eruption cycle at a stratovolcano, Augustine Volcano in Alaska, from the earliest precursory unrest through the return to background quiescence. The on-island network consisted of five continuously recording, telemetered GPS...
Authors
Peter F. Cervelli, Thomas J. Fournier, Jeff T. Freymueller, John A. Power, Michael Lisowski, Benjamin A. Pauk
Augustine Volcano - The influence of volatile components in magmas erupted A.D. 2006 to 2,100 years before present: Chapter 16 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Augustine Volcano - The influence of volatile components in magmas erupted A.D. 2006 to 2,100 years before present: Chapter 16 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
The petrology and geochemistry of 2006 eruptive products of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, have been investigated through analyses of whole-rock samples, phenocrysts, silicate melt inclusions, and matrix glasses to constrain processes of magma evolution, eruption, and degassing. Particular attention was directed toward the concentrations and geochemical relationships involving the magmatic...
Authors
James D. Webster, Charlie Mandeville, Beth Goldoff, Michelle L. Coombs, Christine Tappen
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 78
Public outreach and communications of the Alaska Volcano Observatory during the 2005-2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 27 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Public outreach and communications of the Alaska Volcano Observatory during the 2005-2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 27 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
The 2005-6 eruption of Augustine Volcano in the Cook Inlet region, Alaska, greatly increased public desire for volcano hazard information, as this eruption was the most significant in Cook Inlet since 1992. In response to this heightened concern, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) increased ongoing efforts to deliver specific eruption-focused information to communities nearest to the...
Authors
Jennifer N. Adleman, Cheryl E. Cameron, Seth F. Snedigar, Christina A. Neal, Kristi L. Wallace
Emission of SO2, CO2, and H2S from Augustine Volcano, 2002-2008: Chapter 26 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Emission of SO2, CO2, and H2S from Augustine Volcano, 2002-2008: Chapter 26 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Airborne surveillance of gas emissions from Augustine Volcano and other Cook Inlet volcanoes began in 1990 to identify baseline emission levels during noneruptive conditions. Gas measurements at Augustine for SO2, CO2, and H2S showed essentially no evidence of anomalous degassing through spring 2005. Neither did a measurement on May 10, 2005, right after the onset of low level seismicity...
Authors
Kenneth A. McGee, Michael P. Doukas, Robert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal, Rick L. Wessels
Lightning and electrical activity during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 25 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Lightning and electrical activity during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 25 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Lightning and other electrical activity were measured during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano. We found two phases of the activity, the explosive phase corresponding to the explosive eruptions and the plume phase. We classified the lightning into three types, vent discharges, near-vent lightning, and plume lightning. Vent discharges are small, 10 to 100 m sparks, that occur at rate...
Authors
Ronald J. Thomas, Stephen R. McNutt, Paul R. Krehbiel, William Rison, Grayden Aulich, Harald Edens, Guy Tytgat, Edward Clark
Imaging observations of thermal emissions from Augustine Volcano using a small astronomical camera: Chapter 24 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Imaging observations of thermal emissions from Augustine Volcano using a small astronomical camera: Chapter 24 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Long-exposure visible-light images of Augustine Volcano were obtained using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera during several nights of the 2006 eruption. The camera was located 105 km away, at Homer, Alaska, yet showed persistent bright emissions from the north flank of the volcano corresponding to steam releases, pyroclastic flows, and rockfalls originating near the summit. The...
Authors
Davis D. Sentman, Stephen R. McNutt, Hans C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, Guy Tytgat, Nicole DeRoin
The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano - Combined analyses of thermal satellite data and reduced displacement: Chapter 23 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano - Combined analyses of thermal satellite data and reduced displacement: Chapter 23 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Augustine Volcano erupted explosively after 20 years of quiescence on January 11, 2006, followed by approximately 2 months of dome building and lava extrusion. This is the best monitored eruption in Alaska to date; the diverse complementary datasets gathered enable an interdisciplinary interpretation of volcanic activity. An analysis of reduced displacement (continuous measure of seismic...
Authors
Saskia M. van Manen, Jonathan Dehn, Michael E. West, Stephen Blake, David A. Rothery
High-resolution satellite and airborne thermal infrared imaging of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 22 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska High-resolution satellite and airborne thermal infrared imaging of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 22 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Thermal infrared (TIR) images provided a timely pre- and syn-eruption record of summit changes, lava flow emplacement, and pyroclastic-flow-deposit distribution during the Alaska Volcano Observatory's (AVO) response to the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano. A series of images from both handheld and helicopter mounted forward looking infrared radiometers (FLIR) captured detailed views...
Authors
Rick L. Wessels, Michelle L. Coombs, David J. Schneider, Jonathan Dehn, Michael S. Ramsey
Volcanic-ash dispersion modeling of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano using the Puff model: Chapter 21 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Volcanic-ash dispersion modeling of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano using the Puff model: Chapter 21 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Volcanic ash is one of the major potential hazards from volcanic eruptions. It can have both short-range effects from proximal ashfall and long range impacts from volcanic ash clouds. The timely tracking and understanding of recently emitted volcanic ash clouds is important, because they can cause severe damage to jet aircraft engines and shut down major airports. Dispersion models play...
Authors
Peter W. Webley, Kenneson G. Dean, Jonathan Dehn Dehn, John E. Bailey, Rorik Peterson
Integrated satellite observations of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 20 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Integrated satellite observations of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 20 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
Satellite observations played an important role in monitoring the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano. It represented the first opportunity for observers to use, in an operational setting, new Web-based tools and techniques developed by the Alaska Volcano Observatory remote sensing group. The 'Okmok Algorithm' was used to analyze thermal infrared satellite data and highlight changes in...
Authors
John E. Bailey, Kenneson G. Dean, Jonathan Dehn, Peter W. Webley
The Plate Boundary Observatory Permanent Global Positioning System Network on Augustine Volcano before and after the 2006 Eruption: Chapter 19 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska The Plate Boundary Observatory Permanent Global Positioning System Network on Augustine Volcano before and after the 2006 Eruption: Chapter 19 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
In September of 2004, UNAVCO and the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) installed five permanent Continuous Global Positioning System (CGPS) stations on Augustine Volcano, supplementing one existing CGPS station operated by the Alaska Volcano Observatory. All six CGPS stations proved crucial to scientists for detecting and monitoring the...
Authors
Benjamin A. Pauk, Michael Jackson, Karl Feaux, David Mencin, Kyle Bohnenstiehl
Surface deformation of Augustine Volcano, 1992-2005, from multiple-interferogram processing using a refined Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) approach: Chapter 18 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Al Surface deformation of Augustine Volcano, 1992-2005, from multiple-interferogram processing using a refined Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) approach: Chapter 18 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Al
Augustine Volcano is an active stratovolcano located in southwestern Cook Inlet, about 280 kilometers southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The volcano produced six significant explosive eruptions between 1812 and 1986. Augustine eruptions typically have an explosive onset followed by dome building. The most recent eruption began on January 11, 2006. We applied the small baseline subset (SBAS)
Authors
Chang-Wook Lee, Zhong Lu, Hyung-Sup Jung, Joong-Sun Won, Daniel Dzurisin
Geodetic constraints on magma movement and withdrawal during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 17 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Geodetic constraints on magma movement and withdrawal during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano: Chapter 17 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
For the first time in the United States, a modern geodetic network of continuously recording Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers has measured a complete eruption cycle at a stratovolcano, Augustine Volcano in Alaska, from the earliest precursory unrest through the return to background quiescence. The on-island network consisted of five continuously recording, telemetered GPS...
Authors
Peter F. Cervelli, Thomas J. Fournier, Jeff T. Freymueller, John A. Power, Michael Lisowski, Benjamin A. Pauk
Augustine Volcano - The influence of volatile components in magmas erupted A.D. 2006 to 2,100 years before present: Chapter 16 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska Augustine Volcano - The influence of volatile components in magmas erupted A.D. 2006 to 2,100 years before present: Chapter 16 in The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska
The petrology and geochemistry of 2006 eruptive products of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, have been investigated through analyses of whole-rock samples, phenocrysts, silicate melt inclusions, and matrix glasses to constrain processes of magma evolution, eruption, and degassing. Particular attention was directed toward the concentrations and geochemical relationships involving the magmatic...
Authors
James D. Webster, Charlie Mandeville, Beth Goldoff, Michelle L. Coombs, Christine Tappen
*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