I am a volcanologist who focuses on volcanic hazards and eruption consequences. I am interested in understanding the sequence and extent of volcanic hazards that occurred during past eruptions. I also work on understanding the implications of volcanic eruptions: how hazards affect ecosystems and the built environment.
Professional Experience
2020 - present: U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
2012 - 2020: GNS Science, New Zealand
2005 - 2007: Seismological Laboratory, Caltech
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. University of Oregon, Geology, 2012
M.Res. University of Bristol, Science of Natural Hazards, 2006
B.S. California Institute of Technology, Geology, 2004
Affiliations and Memberships*
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI)
Abstracts and Presentations
Ellis A, Moran SC, Clor LE, Damby DE, Deligne NI, Flinders AF, Haney MM, Hon KA, Johnson ER, Major JJ, Nadeau PA, Stovall WK, Ulmer KN, Wellik J (2021) USGS Volcano Science Center URGE sub-pod: Actions towards a more inclusive and diverse workplace. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2021, abstract U33B-03.
Dietterich HR, Denlinger RP, Trusdell F, Kauahikaua JP, Anderson KR, Hyman DM, Deligne NI (2021) Towards quantitative probabilistic lava flow hazard assessment in Hawaiʻi. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2021, abstract NH25A-0525.
Meredith E*, Jenkins S, Lallemant D, Deligne NI, Patrick MR, Hayes J, Neal CA (2020) Lava flow damage assessment using remote sensing and ground surveys: 2018 LERZ lava flows of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2020, abstract V006-05
Conrey RM, Deligne NI, Wozniak K, Welch R, Castronovo D, Bourque E, Huq AC, Langston J, Shields J, Skeldon C (2019) Sand Mountain Volcanic Field Update: Completion of a Five Decade Mapping Project in the High Cascade Range of Oregon. 115th Annual Meeting of the Cordilleran Section, Geological Society of America, abstract 40-11.
Brown SK, Cameron C, Deligne NI, Jenkins S, Leonard GS, Stewart C, Wallace K, Wilson T (2016) Volcanic ash impacts database. Cities on Volcanoes 9.
Hurst AW, Davis C, Deligne NI (2016) Implementation of routine ash predictions using a general purpose atmospheric dispersion model (HYSPLIT) adapted for calculating ash thickness on the ground. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016, abstract EGU2016-5133.
Fournier N, Sherburn S, Kula T, Tu'uholoaki M, Aho L, Piper C, Scott BJ, Deligne NI, Kilgour GN (2015) Notes from a small island: response to the 2014 Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai eruption Tonga and challenges for aviation. 26th IUGG General Assembly 2015, abstract IUGG-4539.
Science and Products
My publication history includes USGS authored works, peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and GNS Science Reports.
Cost-benefit analysis for evacuation decision-support: Challenges and possible solutions for applications in areas of distributed volcanism
Towards real-time probabilistic ash deposition forecasting for New Zealand
Damage assessment for the 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flows of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaiʻi
From anecdotes to quantification: advances in characterizing volcanic eruption impacts on the built environment
Mass eruption rate, column height, and duration dataset for volcanic eruptions
Field-trip guide to mafic volcanism of the Cascade Range in Central Oregon—A volcanic, tectonic, hydrologic, and geomorphic journey
Holocene volcanism of the upper McKenzie River catchment, central Oregon Cascades, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
- Publications
My publication history includes USGS authored works, peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and GNS Science Reports.
Cost-benefit analysis for evacuation decision-support: Challenges and possible solutions for applications in areas of distributed volcanism
During a volcanic crisis, evacuation is the most effective mitigation measure to preserve life. However, the decision to call an evacuation is typically complex and challenging, in part due to uncertainties related to the behaviour of the volcano. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) can support decision-makers: this approach compares the cost of evacuating versus the expected loss from not evacuating, expAuthorsAlec Wild, Mark S. Bebbington, Jan Lindsay, Natalia Irma DeligneTowards real-time probabilistic ash deposition forecasting for New Zealand
Volcanic ashfall forecasts are highly dependent on eruption source parameters (ESPs) and synoptic weather conditions at the time and location of the eruption. In New Zealand, MetService and GNS Science have been jointly developing an ashfall forecast system that incorporates four-dimensional high-resolution numerical weather prediction (NWP) and ESPs into the HYSPLIT model, a state-of-the art hybrAuthorsRosa Transcoso, Yannik Behr, Tony Hurst, Natalia Irma DeligneDamage assessment for the 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flows of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaiʻi
Cataloguing damage and its correlation with hazard intensity is one of the key components needed to robustly assess future risk and plan for mitigation as it provides important empirical data. Damage assessments following volcanic eruptions have been conducted for buildings and other structures following hazards such as tephra fall, pyroclastic density currents, and lahars. However, there are relaAuthorsElinor S. Meredith, Susanna F. Jenkins, Josh L. Hayes, Natalia Irma Deligne, David Lallemant, Matthew R. Patrick, Christina A. NealFrom anecdotes to quantification: advances in characterizing volcanic eruption impacts on the built environment
Over the past 20 years, our understanding of volcanic eruption impacts on the built environment has transformed from being primarily observational with small datasets to one grounded in field investigations, laboratory experiments, and quantitative modeling, with an emphasis on stakeholder collaboration and co-creation. Here, we summarize key advances and knowledge gaps of impacts across volcanicAuthorsNatalia Irma Deligne, Susanna F. Jenkins, Elinor S. Meredith, George T. Williams, Graham S. Leonard, Carol Stewart, Thomas M. Wilson, Sébastien Biass, Daniel M. Blake, Russell Blong, Costanza Bonadonna, R. Calderon Barraza, Josh L. Hayes, D.M. Johnston, Ben M. Kennedy, Christina Magill, Robin Spence, Kristi L. Wallace, John Wardman, Alanna M. Weir, Grant Wilson, Giulio ZuccaroMass eruption rate, column height, and duration dataset for volcanic eruptions
This report describes a dataset assembled and curated as part of a project funded by the Earthquake Commission Biennial Grant 20781, Towards real-time probabilistic ash deposition forecasting for Aotearoa New Zealand. This dataset compiles measured, estimated, and calculated values for volcanic eruption mass eruption rates, column heights, and durations. Data comes from 213 eruptions, with about aAuthorsNatalia Irma DeligneField-trip guide to mafic volcanism of the Cascade Range in Central Oregon—A volcanic, tectonic, hydrologic, and geomorphic journey
The Cascade Range in central Oregon has been shaped by tectonics, volcanism, and hydrology, as well as geomorphic forces that include glaciations. As a result of the rich interplay between these forces, mafic volcanism here can have surprising manifestations, which include relatively large tephra footprints and extensive lava flows, as well as water shortages, transportation and agricultural disruAuthorsNatalia I. Deligne, Daniele Mckay, Richard M. Conrey, Gordon E. Grant, Emily R. Johnson, Jim O'Connor, Kristin SweeneyHolocene volcanism of the upper McKenzie River catchment, central Oregon Cascades, USA
To assess the complexity of eruptive activity within mafic volcanic fields, we present a detailed geologic investigation of Holocene volcanism in the upper McKenzie River catchment in the central Oregon Cascades, United States. We focus on the Sand Mountain volcanic field, which covers 76 km2 and consists of 23 vents, associated tephra deposits, and lava fields. We find that the Sand Mountain volcAuthorsNatalia I. Deligne, Richard M. Conrey, Katharine V. Cashman, Duane E. Champion, William H. AmidonNon-USGS Publications**
Hayes J, Wilson TM, Brown C, Deligne NI, Leonard GS, Cole J (2021) Assessing urban disaster waste management requirements after volcanic eruptions. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 52:101935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101935Tsang SWR, Lindsay JM, Kennedy B, Deligne NI (2020) Thermal impacts of basaltic lava flows to buried infrastructure: workflow to determine the hazard. Journal of Applied Volcanology 9(8). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-020-00098-wTsang SWR, Lindsay JM, Coco G, Deligne NI (2020) The influence of surficial features in lava flow modelling. Journal of Applied Volcanology 9(6). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-020-00095-zHayes J, Wilson TM, Deligne NI, Lindsay JM, Leonard GS, Tsang SWR, Fitzgerald RH (2020) Developing a suite of multi-hazard volcanic eruption scenarios using an interdisciplinary approach. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 392: 106763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2019.106763Hayes J, Wilson TM, Stewart C, Villarosa G, Salgado PA, Beigt D, Outes V, Deligne NI, Leonard GS (2019) Tephra clean-up after the 2015 eruption of Calbuco volcano, Chile: A quantitative geospatial assessment in four communities. Journal of Applied Volcanology, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-019-0087-3Hayes J, Calderón R, Deligne NI, Jenkins S, Leonard G, McSporran A, Williams G, Wilson TM (2019) Timber-framed building damage from tephra fall and lahar: 2015 Calbuco eruption, Chile. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 374: 142-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2019.02.017Christophersen A, Deligne NI, Hanea AM, Chardot L, Fournier N, Aspinall WP (2018) Bayesian Network modeling and expert elicitation for probabilistic eruption forecasting: pilot study for Whakaari/ White Island, New Zealand. Frontiers in Earth Science, 6(211). https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2018.00211Deligne NI, Jolly GE, Taig T, Webb TH (2018) Evaluating life-safety risk for fieldwork on active volcanoes: the volcano life risk estimator (VoLREst), a volcano observatory’s decision-support tool. Journal of Applied Volcanology, 7(7). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-018-0076-yDeligne NI, Horspool N, Canessa S, Matcham I, Williams GT, Wilson G, Wilson TM (2017) Evaluating the impacts of volcanic eruptions using RiskScape. Journal of Applied Volcanology 6(18). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-017-0069-2Blake DM*, Deligne NI, Wilson TM, Wilson G* (2017) Improving volcanic ash fragility functions through laboratory studies: example of surface transportation networks. Journal of Applied Volcanology 6(16). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-017-0066-5Wilson G*, Wilson TM, Deligne NI, Blake DM*, Cole JW (2017) Framework for developing volcanic fragility and vulnerability functions for critical infrastructure. Journal of Applied Volcanology 6(14). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-017-0065-6Blake DM*, Wilson TM, Cole JW, Deligne NI, Lindsay JM (2017) Impact of volcanic ash on road and airfield surface skid resistance. Sustainability 9(8): 1389. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081389Stirling MW, Bebbington M, Brenna M, Cronin S, Christophersen A, Deligne NI, Hurst AW, Jolly AD, Jolly GE, Kennedy B, Kereszturi G, Lindsay J, Neall V, Procter J, Rhoades DA, Scott BJ, Shane P, Smith I, Smith R, Wang T, White JDL, Wilson CJN, Wilson T (2017) Conceptual development of a national volcanic hazard model for New Zealand. Frontiers in Earth Science, 5(51). https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2017.00051Blake DM, Deligne NI, Wilson TM, Lindsay JM, Woods R (2017) Investigating the consequences of urban volcanism using a scenario approach II: Insights into transportation network damage and functionality. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 340: 92-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.04.010Deligne NI, Sparks RSJ, Brown SK (2017) Report on potential sampling biases in the LaMEVE database of global volcanism. Journal of Applied Volcanology 6(7). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-017-0058-5Deligne NI, Fitzgerald RH, Blake DM, Davies AJ, Hayes JL, Stewart C, Wilson G, Wilson TM, Castelino R, Kennedy BM (2017) Investigating the consequences of urban volcanism using a scenario approach I: Development and application of a hypothetical eruption in the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 336: 192-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.02.023Hayes J, Wilson TM, Deligne NI, Cole J, Hughes M (2017) A model to assess tephra clean-up requirements in urban environments. Journal of Applied Volcanology 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-016-0052-3Jolly GE, Keys HJR, Procter JN, Deligne NI (2014) Overview of the co-ordinated risk-based approach to science and management response and recovery for the 2012 eruptions of Tongariro volcano, New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 286: 184-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.08.028Wilson G, Wilson TM, Deligne NI, Cole JW (2014) Volcanic hazard impacts to critical infrastructure: A review. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 286: 148-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.08.030Wilson TM, Stewart C, Wardman JB, Wilson G*, Johnston DM, Hill D, Hampton SJ, Villemure M, McBride SK, Leonard GS, Daly MC, Deligne NI, Roberts L (2014) Volcanic ashfall preparedness poster series: a collaborative process for reducing the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Journal of Applied Volcanology 3(10). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-014-0010-xBrown SK, Crosweller HS, Sparks RSJ, Cottrell E, Deligne NI, Guerrero NO, Hobbs L, Kiyosugi K, Loughlin SC, Siebert L, Takarada S (2014) Characterisation of the Quaternary eruption record: Analysis of the large magnitude explosive volcanic eruptions (LaMEVE) database. Journal of Applied Volcanology 3(5). https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-5040-3-5Deligne NI, Cashman KV, Roering JJ (2013) After the lava flow: the importance of external soil sources for plant colonization of recent lava flows in the central Oregon Cascades, USA. Geomorphology 202: 15-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.12.009Roering JJ, Mackey BH, Marshall JA, Sweeney KE, Deligne NI, Booth AM, Handwerger AL, Cerovski-Darriau C (2013) ‘You are HERE’: Connecting the dots with airborne lidar for geomorphic fieldwork. Geomorphology 200: 172-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.04.009Cashman KV, Soule SA, Mackey BH, Deligne NI, Deardorff ND, Dietterich HR (2013) How lava flows: New insights from applications of lidar technologies to lava flow studies. Geosphere 9(6). https://doi.org/10.1130/GES00706.1Crosweller S, Arora B, Brown SK, Cottrell E, Deligne NI, Guerrero NO, Hobbs L, Kiyosugi K, Loughlin SC, Lowndes J, Nayembil M, Siebert L, Sparks RSJ, Takarada S, Venzke E (2012) Global database on large magnitude explosive volcanic eruptions (LaMEVE). Journal of Applied Volcanology 1(4). https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-5040-1-4Riddick SN, Schmidt DA, Deligne NI (2012) An analysis of terrain properties and the location of surface scatterers from persistent scatterer interferometry. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 73: 50-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2012.05.010Deligne NI, Coles SG, Sparks RSJ (2010) Recurrence rates of large explosive volcanic eruptions. Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth 115(6): B06203. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JB006554Mosenfelder JL, Deligne NI, Asimow P, Rossman GR (2006) Hydrogen incorporation in olivine from 2-12 GPa. American Mineralogist 91(2/3): 285-294. https://doi.org/10.2138/am.2006.1943Auker MR, Sparks RSJ, Jenkins SF, Aspinall W, Brown SK, Deligne NI, Jolly GE, Loughlin SC, Marzocchi W, Newhall JL (2015) Development of a new global Volcanic Hazard Index (VHI). IN: Loughlin SC, Sparks RSJ, Brown SK, Jenkins SF, Vye-Brown C (eds) Global volcanic hazards and risk. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press p. 349-358.Deligne NI, Lindsay JM, Smid E (2015) An integrated approach to determining volcanic risk in Auckland, New Zealand: the multi-disciplinary DEVORA project. IN: Loughlin SC, Sparks RSJ, Brown SK, Jenkins SF, Vye-Brown C (eds) Global volcanic hazards and risk. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press p. 233-239.Deligne NI, Sigurdsson H (2015) Global Rates of Volcanism and Volcanic Episodes. Encyclopedia of Volcanoes. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-385938-9.00014-6Cashman KV, Deligne NI, Gannett MW, Grant GE, Jefferson A (2009) Fire and water: Volcanology, geomorphology, and hydrogeology of the Cascade Range, central Oregon. In: O'Connor J, Dorsey R, Madin I (eds) Volcanoes to Vineyards: Geologic Field Trips through the Dynamic Landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Geological Society of America Field Guide 15, pp. 539-582.Deligne NI (2021) Mass eruption rate, column height, and duration dataset for volcanic eruptions. GNS Science Report 2021/12, 22 p.Deligne NI, Miller CA, Ashraf S, Behr Y, Fournier N, Jolly AD, Hamling IJ, Leonard GS, Scott BJ, Sherburn S, Aru M, Cevuard S, Garaebiti E (2019) Material provided to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department by GNS Science in response to Ambrym volcano activity in December 2018–early 2019. GNS Science Report 2019/74, 53 p.Wild AJ, Lindsay JM, Costello SB, Deligne NI, Doherty A, Leonard GS, Maxwell K, Rollin J, Wilson TM (2019) Auckland Volcanic Field eruption crisis management decision-making pilot workshop. GNS Science Report 2019/070, 44 p.Tsang SWR, Lindsay JL, Deligne NI (2019) Short-term preparation for and response to an impending lava flow: Lessons from the June 27th Lava Flow (2014-2015), Hawaii, USA. GNS Science Report 2019/61, 87 p.Deligne NI, Leonard GS, Jolly A, Christenson B, Hamling I, Hreinsdottir S, Mazot A, Miller CA, Roberts R, van Wijk K (2019) DEVORA Novel Monitoring Techniques Workshop, 25 October 2018. GNS Science report 2019/21, 50 p.Hayes JL, Deligne NI, Bertin L, Calderon R, Wardman JB, Wilson TM, Leonard GS, Stewart C, Wallace KL, Baxter PJ (2019) Impacts of the 2015 eruption of Calbuco volcano on Chilean infrastructure, utilities, agriculture, and health. GNS Science report 2019/04, 112 p.Hayes JL, Tsang SW, Fitzgerald RH, Blake DM*, Deligne NI, Doherty A, Hopkins JL, Hurst T, Le Corvec N, Leonard GS, Lindsay JM, Miller C, Németh K, Smid E, White JDL, Wilson TM (2018) The DEVORA Scenarios: Multi-hazard eruption scenarios for the Auckland Volcanic Field. GNS Science report 2018/29, 138 p.Deligne NI, Power WL, Van Dissen RJ (2017) Central rail link vulnerability to natural hazards. GNS Science consultancy report 2017/98. 25 p.Horspool NA, Berryman KR, Mueller C, Massey CI, Lin S-L, Deligne NI, Canessa S (2016) Estimates of probable maximum loss for the EQC portfolio. GNS Science consultancy report 2016/43, 64 p.Deligne NI, Blake DM, Davies AJ, Grace ES, Hayes J, Potter SH, Stewart C, Wilson G*, Wilson TM (2015) Economics of Resilient Infrastructure Auckland Volcanic Field Scenario. GNS Science ERI research report 2015/03, 151 p.Deligne NI, Wilson G (2015) Architecture and hazard intensity metrics for RiskScape volcano. GNS Science report 2015/19, 23 p.Grace E (comp), Paulik R, Deligne NI, Dellow GD, Langridge RM, Mueller C, Stephens S, Allis M, Griffiths G, McKerchar A, Carey-Smith D, Horspool NA (contribs) (2014) Gisborne District risk assessment. GNS Science consultancy report 2014/279. 149 p.Horspool, NA, Nayerloo M, Power WL, Deligne NI (2014) Review of IAG New Zealand risk model for earthquake, tsunami and volcanic eruption hazards. GNS Science consultancy report 2014/175LR. 5 p.Lovett A, Deligne NI, Clark KJ, van der Raaij RW, Rawlinson ZJ (2014) Assessment of the Waimarino Plains water supply. GNS Science consultancy report 2014/99. 55 p.Cousins WJ, Nayyerloo M, Deligne NI (2014) Estimated damage and casualties from earthquakes affecting Auckland. GNS Science consultancy report 2013/324. 53 p.McSaveney MJ, Deligne NI (2013) Review of The mass wasting and ice sheet retreat in the post-LGM evolution of Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand. GNS Science consultancy report 2013/316LR. 6 p.Deligne NI (2015) Preparing for the volcano in your backyard: New Zealand sets an example. EARTH Magazine, 60(1): 8-9.**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.
*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