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Rick L. Wessels, Ph.D.

I use high-resolution satellite remote sensing to monitor and research volcanoes around the world. I am always working toward faster remote sensing acquisition and reporting to many partners both at the USGS Volcano Observatories and many international observatories and emergency managers.

I've been using various types of overhead imaging as the main tool for various types of geology, glacier, and volcano research since 1988 starting in industry and academic positions and now with the U.S. Geological Survey since 2003. I specialize in using a full spectrum of satellite data to better understand the surface of the Earth.

Professional Experience

  • USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program - Reston, VA (since 2013): 2011-present

  • USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory - Anchorage, AK: 2003-2013

  • Arizona State University Post-Doc - USGS Astrogeology - Flagstaff, AZ: 2000-2003

  • Amoco Research - Tulsa, OK 1997 - 1998 (part-time consulting while at ASU for my PhD.)

  • Amoco - Houston, TX: 1990 - 1993

  • Chevron - Midland, TX: summer 1989

  • USGS NAGT intern - Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, WA: summer 1988

Education and Certifications

  • Arizona State University Geology PhD. 1999

  • Northern Arizona Geology MS 1990

  • Cornell College Geology BA 1988

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • AGU

  • IAVCEI

  • NASA

Honors and Awards

  • Partly funded as a Co-investigator for various Earth Science and Planetary NASA grants from 1993 to 2022

  • Several USGS STAR awards 2005, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2018

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Panelist - NGA Thermal Summit - 2019 - Chantilly, VA

  • Invited Speaker - ScienceWriters2018 Meeting - Washington DC

  • Invited Speaker - Civil Applications Meeting - 2014, 2015 - Reston, VA

  • Invited Speaker - University of Pittsburgh - 2008

Science and Products

No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 27

Multispectral imaging contributions to global land ice measurements from space Multispectral imaging contributions to global land ice measurements from space

Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) is an international consortium established to acquire satellite images of the world's glaciers, analyse them for glacier extent and changes, and assess change data for causes and implications for people and the environment. Although GLIMS is making use of multiple remote-sensing systems, ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and...
Authors
J.S. Kargel, M. J. Abrams, M.P. Bishop, A. Bush, G. Hamilton, H. Jiskoot, Andreas Kaab, H. H. Kieffer, E.M. Lee, F. Paul, F. Rau, B. Raup, J.F. Shroder, D. Soltesz, D. Stainforth, L. Stearns, R. Wessels

Global land ice measurements from space (GLIMS): remote sensing and GIS investigations of the Earth's cryosphere Global land ice measurements from space (GLIMS): remote sensing and GIS investigations of the Earth's cryosphere

Concerns over greenhouse‐gas forcing and global temperatures have initiated research into understanding climate forcing and associated Earth‐system responses. A significant component is the Earth's cryosphere, as glacier‐related, feedback mechanisms govern atmospheric, hydrospheric and lithospheric response. Predicting the human and natural dimensions of climate‐induced environmental...
Authors
Michael P. Bishop, Jeffrey A. Olsenholler, John F. Shroder, Roger G. Barry, Bruce H. Rasup, Andrew B. G. Bush, Luke Copland, John L. Dwyer, Andrew G. Fountain, Wilfried Haeberli, Andreas Kaab, Frank Paul, Dorothy K. Hall, Jeffrey S. Kargel, Bruce F. Molnia, Dennis C. Trabant, Rick L. Wessels
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

ASTER measurement of supraglacial lakes in the Mount Everest region of the Himalaya ASTER measurement of supraglacial lakes in the Mount Everest region of the Himalaya

We demonstrate an application of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) images to detect and monitor supraglacial lakes on glaciers in the Mount Everest region in Tibet (Xizang) and Nepal. ASTER offers powerful capabilities to monitor supraglacial lakes in terms of (1) surface area, growth and disappearance (spatial resolution = 15 m), (2) turbidity (15 m...
Authors
R.L. Wessels, J.S. Kargel, H. H. Kieffer

Science and Products

No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 27

Multispectral imaging contributions to global land ice measurements from space Multispectral imaging contributions to global land ice measurements from space

Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) is an international consortium established to acquire satellite images of the world's glaciers, analyse them for glacier extent and changes, and assess change data for causes and implications for people and the environment. Although GLIMS is making use of multiple remote-sensing systems, ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and...
Authors
J.S. Kargel, M. J. Abrams, M.P. Bishop, A. Bush, G. Hamilton, H. Jiskoot, Andreas Kaab, H. H. Kieffer, E.M. Lee, F. Paul, F. Rau, B. Raup, J.F. Shroder, D. Soltesz, D. Stainforth, L. Stearns, R. Wessels

Global land ice measurements from space (GLIMS): remote sensing and GIS investigations of the Earth's cryosphere Global land ice measurements from space (GLIMS): remote sensing and GIS investigations of the Earth's cryosphere

Concerns over greenhouse‐gas forcing and global temperatures have initiated research into understanding climate forcing and associated Earth‐system responses. A significant component is the Earth's cryosphere, as glacier‐related, feedback mechanisms govern atmospheric, hydrospheric and lithospheric response. Predicting the human and natural dimensions of climate‐induced environmental...
Authors
Michael P. Bishop, Jeffrey A. Olsenholler, John F. Shroder, Roger G. Barry, Bruce H. Rasup, Andrew B. G. Bush, Luke Copland, John L. Dwyer, Andrew G. Fountain, Wilfried Haeberli, Andreas Kaab, Frank Paul, Dorothy K. Hall, Jeffrey S. Kargel, Bruce F. Molnia, Dennis C. Trabant, Rick L. Wessels
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

ASTER measurement of supraglacial lakes in the Mount Everest region of the Himalaya ASTER measurement of supraglacial lakes in the Mount Everest region of the Himalaya

We demonstrate an application of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) images to detect and monitor supraglacial lakes on glaciers in the Mount Everest region in Tibet (Xizang) and Nepal. ASTER offers powerful capabilities to monitor supraglacial lakes in terms of (1) surface area, growth and disappearance (spatial resolution = 15 m), (2) turbidity (15 m...
Authors
R.L. Wessels, J.S. Kargel, H. H. Kieffer

*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

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