I am a research scientist who specializes in using remote sensing tools and techniques to study dynamic geologic and environmental processes, with an emphasis on volcanic and geothermal phenomena.
I am originally from Charlottesville, VA. I attended Virginia Tech (BS Geology, 1992); then went to grad school at the University of Georgia, where I studied the sulfur isotope geochemistry of seafloor hydrothermal sulfide deposits (black smoker chimneys) and got the opportunity to go on a research cruise to the East Pacific Rise and dive in the Alvin submersible (MS 1995). I then spent a few years working as a field geologist in the mineral exploration / mining industry in Nevada. I returned to academia at the University of Nevada Reno (PhD 2004). My PhD project, funded by NASA, was focused on using infrared imaging spectroscopy to identify and map surface minerals associated with active geothermal systems, hydrothermal alteration, and acid mine drainage.
In October 2004, I started a Caltech postdoc at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA. Coincident with my first day on the job, Mount St Helens began a renewed lava dome eruption that lasted until 2008. Quite fortuitously, there was a NASA remote sensing aircraft in the region, already scheduled to acquire some high-resolution visible, thermal infrared, and LiDAR data in the Cascades. So, I hit the ground running on my new job, applying remote sensing expertise to study something that had long been an interest: active volcanism. Ever since, my research has focused on the remote characterization of thermal emission from active volcanic and geothermal areas.
I started my career with the USGS in 2008 as a Mendenhall postdoc, studying hydrothermal activity in Yellowstone using satellite thermal infrared data. I am the remote sensing team lead for the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory and work closely with the National Park Service to use a combination of aerospace remote sensing observations and field work to map, measure, and monitor Yellowstone’s dynamic thermal areas. My goal is to better understand how thermal and gas emissions are related to (1) other signs of volcanic unrest (e.g., ground deformation and earthquakes), and (2) potentially hazardous volcanic / geothermal processes (e.g., eruptions, hydrothermal explosions, and vegetation kills). I also work on various projects with the USGS Geothermal Energy Program and the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program.
In addition to my scientific research, I am passionate about science education and communication to public audiences. When I was in Pasadena, I taught Earth Science classes at Pasadena City College and Cal State Northridge. I have also taught geology classes for the Geology Department at Northern Arizona University (adjunct faculty). I am the education and public outreach coordinator for the USGS Flagstaff Science Campus and serve as a liaison to the Board of Directors for the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Lastly, I am a co-Investigator on a NASA-funded education project called PLANETS, which is a collaborative partnership among education experts, curriculum developers, subject matter experts, and K-12 teachers across the country.
Science and Products
Gas and heat emission measurements in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (May-October 2016)
Optimizing satellite resources for the global assessment and mitigation of volcanic hazards—Suggestions from the USGS Powell Center Volcano Remote Sensing Working Group
Quantifying eruptive and background seismicity, deformation, degassing, and thermal emissions at volcanoes in the United States during 1978–2020
A newly emerging thermal area in Yellowstone
Hydrothermal activity in the southwest Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field
Walk in the footsteps of the Apollo astronauts: A field guide to northern Arizona astronaut training sites
The 2017-19 activity at Mount Agung in Bali (Indonesia): Intense unrest, monitoring, crisis response, evacuation, and eruption
Thermal, deformation, and degassing remote sensing time-series (A.D. 2000-2017) at the 47 most active volcanoes in Latin America: Implications for volcanic systems
Detecting geothermal anomalies and evaluating LST geothermal component by combining thermal remote sensing time series and land surface model data
The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center
Provisional maps of thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, based on satellite thermal infrared imaging and field observations
Use of ASTER and MODIS thermal infrared data to quantify heat flow and hydrothermal change at Yellowstone National Park
Mapping temperature and radiant geothermal heat flux anomalies in the Yellowstone geothermal system using ASTER thermal infrared data
Science and Products
- Data
Gas and heat emission measurements in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (May-October 2016)
From 14 May to 6 October 2016 measurements of gas and heat emissions were made at Bison Flat, an acid-sulfate, vapor-dominated area (0.04-km2) of Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY. An eddy covariance system measured half-hourly CO2, H2O and sensible and latent heat fluxes, air temperature and pressure, wind speed and direction, soil moisture and rainfall. A Multi-GAS instrument me - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 14
Optimizing satellite resources for the global assessment and mitigation of volcanic hazards—Suggestions from the USGS Powell Center Volcano Remote Sensing Working Group
A significant number of the world’s approximately 1,400 subaerial volcanoes with Holocene eruptions are unmonitored by ground-based sensors yet constitute a potential hazard to nearby residents and infrastructure, as well as air travel and global commerce. Data from an international constellation of more than 60 current satellite instruments provide a cost-effective means of tracking activity andQuantifying eruptive and background seismicity, deformation, degassing, and thermal emissions at volcanoes in the United States during 1978–2020
An important aspect of volcanic hazard assessment is determination of the level and character of background activity at a volcano so that deviations from background (called unrest) can be identified. Here, we compile the instrumentally recorded eruptive and noneruptive activity for 161 US volcanoes between 1978 and 2020. We combine monitoring data from four techniques: seismicity, ground deformatiA newly emerging thermal area in Yellowstone
Yellowstone is a large restless caldera that contains many dynamic thermal areas that are the surface expression of the deeper magmatic system. In 2018, using a Landsat 8 nighttime thermal infrared image, we discovered the emergence of a new thermal area located near Tern Lake on the northeast margin of the Sour Creek dome. A high-spatial-resolution airborne visible image from August 2017 revealedHydrothermal activity in the southwest Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field
In the past two decades, the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service have studied hydrothermal activity across the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field (YPVF) to improve the understanding of the magmatic-hydrothermal system and to provide a baseline for detecting future anomalous activity. In 2017 and 2018 we sampled water and gas over a large area in the southwest YPVF and used LandsatWalk in the footsteps of the Apollo astronauts: A field guide to northern Arizona astronaut training sites
Every astronaut who walked on the Moon trained in Flagstaff, AZ. In the early 1960s, scientists at the newly formed United States Geological Survey (USGS) Branch of Astrogeology led this training, teaching geologic principals and field techniques to the astronaut crews. USGS scientists and engineers also developed and tested scientific instrument prototypes, and communication and transportationThe 2017-19 activity at Mount Agung in Bali (Indonesia): Intense unrest, monitoring, crisis response, evacuation, and eruption
After 53 years of quiescence, Mount Agung awoke in August 2017, with intense seismicity, measurable ground deformation, and thermal anomalies in the summit crater. Although the seismic unrest peaked in late September and early October, the volcano did not start erupting until 21 November. The most intense explosive eruptions with accompanying rapid lava effusion occurred between 25 and 29 NovemberThermal, deformation, and degassing remote sensing time-series (A.D. 2000-2017) at the 47 most active volcanoes in Latin America: Implications for volcanic systems
Volcanoes are hazardous to local and global populations, but only a fraction are continuously monitored by ground-based sensors. For example, in Latin America, more than 60% of Holocene volcanoes are unmonitored, meaning long-term multi-parameter datasets of volcanic activity are rare and sparse. We use satellite observations of degassing, thermal anomalies, and surface deformation spanning 17 yeaDetecting geothermal anomalies and evaluating LST geothermal component by combining thermal remote sensing time series and land surface model data
This paper explores for the first time the possibilities to use two land surface temperature (LST) time series of different origins (geostationary Meteosat Second Generation satellite data and Noah land surface modelling, LSM), to detect geothermal anomalies and extract the geothermal component of LST, the LSTgt. We hypothesize that in geothermal areas the LSM time series will underestimate the LSThe 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 young lava flProvisional 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 of park rUse of ASTER and MODIS thermal infrared data to quantify heat flow and hydrothermal change at Yellowstone National Park
The overarching aim of this study was to use satellite thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing to monitor geothermal activity within the Yellowstone geothermal area to meet the missions of both the U.S. Geological Survey and the Yellowstone National Park Geology Program. Specific goals were to: 1) address the challenges of monitoring the surface thermal characteristics of the > 10,000 spatially andMapping temperature and radiant geothermal heat flux anomalies in the Yellowstone geothermal system using ASTER thermal infrared data
The purpose of this work was to use satellite-based thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing data to measure, map, and monitor geothermal activity within the Yellowstone geothermal area to help meet the missions of both the U.S. Geological Survey Yellowstone Volcano Observatory and the Yellowstone National Park Geology Program. Specifically, the goals were to: 1) address the challenges of remotely ch - News