Tyler G Paladino, Ph.D.

My PhD research focused on both explosive and effusive volcanism. On the explosive side, I studied the dynamics of Plinian eruption plumes when being modified by wind. Specifically, I was interested in how winds could lead to collapse scenarios of the eruption column, leading to the generation of pyroclastic density currents. I also studied ash dispersal on Mars, where I was particularly interested in the link between explosive volcanism and patterns of hydrated regolith throughout the planet. On the effusive side of things, I studied the potential of using Unmanned Aeriel Systems (UAS) and satellite remotely sensed thermal infrared data to detect roofed over lava tubes on the Earth, Moon, and Mars.

My research here at CVO focuses on the deformation of volcanic systems over both short and long timescales. Before, after, and during an eruption, the ground surface of a volcano will move as magma is transported in the subsurface. This movement is detectable by a satellite-based technique known as Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) that is capable of detecting centimeter-scale deformation from space. With the advent of the Sentinel 1 mission and the soon-to-launch NISAR mission, the volume of SAR data is quickly outpacing human analysis capability. My Mendenhall attempts to solve this issue by using transparent machine learning techniques to automatically sift through large amounts of InSAR timeseries to detect deformation occurring over both rapid and slow timescales. This work will eventually integrate into the National Volcanic Early Warning System (NVEWS) as one of many methods of informing the public of imminent volcanic threats, especially over volcanoes that are not well instrumented.