Hannah R. Dietterich, Ph.D.
Hannah works on eruption dynamics, remote sensing, and quantitative volcanic hazard assessment at the USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage, AK.
Hannah Dietterich is a Research Geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory. Her work focuses on the physics of volcanic processes, remote sensing of volcanic activity, numerical modeling of volcanic hazards, and probabilistic volcanic hazard assessment. She integrates geologic mapping, physical volcanology, remote sensing, and numerical modeling with observations of ongoing eruptions to advance our understanding of volcanic hazards.
Professional Experience
2018–present, Research Geophysicist, USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory, Anchorage, AK
2015–2018, Research Geologist (postdoc), USGS Volcano Science Center, Menlo Park, CA
2014–2014, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
2013–2014, Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
2010–2013, NSF Graduate Research Fellow, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
2009–2010, Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Education and Certifications
University of Oregon: Ph.D. (2014), Geological Sciences
Pomona College: B.A. (2009), Geology
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 40
Eruptive history of northern Harrat Rahat—Volume, timing, and composition of volcanism over the past 1.2 million years
Harrat Rahat, one of several large, basalt-dominated volcanic fields in the western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a prime example of continental, intraplate volcanism. Excellent exposure makes this an outstanding site to investigate changing volcanic flux and composition through time. We present 93 40Ar/39Ar ages and 6 36Cl surface-exposure ages for volcanic deposits throughout...
Authors
Mark E. Stelten, Drew T. Downs, Duane E. Champion, Hannah R. Dietterich, Andrew T. Calvert, Thomas W. Sisson, Gail A. Mahood, Hani M. Zahran
Lava flow emplacement in Harrat Rahat with implications for eruptions in mafic volcanic fields
Mafic volcanic fields are widespread, but few have erupted in historical times, providing limited observations of the magnitudes, dynamics, and timescales of lava flow emplacement in these settings. The Harrat Rahat volcanic field in western Saudi Arabia offers a good opportunity to study eruptions in such a setting, with a historical eruption in 1256 C.E. (654 in the year of the Hijra)...
Authors
Hannah R. Dietterich, Drew T. Downs, Mark E. Stelten
2019 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, increased seismicity, and other significant activity at 17 volcanic centers in Alaska in 2019. The most notable volcanic activity was an eruption of Shishaldin Volcano, featuring eruptive activity that produced lava flows, lahars, and ash. Weak explosive activity also took place at Great Sitkin...
Authors
Tim R. Orr, Cheryl E. Cameron, Hannah R. Dietterich, James P. Dixon, Max L. Enders, Ronni Grapenthin, Alexandra M. Iezzi, Matthew Warren Loewen, John A. Power, Cheryl Searcy, Gabrielle Tepp, Liam Toney, Christopher F. Waythomas, Aaron G. Wech
2018 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, considerable and minor volcanic unrest, and seismic events at 15 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2018. The most notable volcanic activity came from Mount Cleveland, which had continuing intermittent dome growth and ash eruptions, and Mount Veniaminof, Great Sitkin Volcano, and Semisopochnoi Island, the three of which had minor...
Authors
Cheryl E. Cameron, Tim R. Orr, James P. Dixon, Hannah R. Dietterich, Christopher F. Waythomas, Alexandra M. Iezzi, John A. Power, Cheryl Searcy, Ronni Grapenthin, Gabrielle Tepp, Kristi L. Wallace, Taryn M. Lopez, Kimberly Degrandpre, Jeff A. Perreault
Coordinating science during an eruption: Lessons from the 2020–2021 Kīlauea volcanic eruption
Data collected during well-observed eruptions can lead to dramatic increases in our understanding of volcanic processes. However, the necessary prioritization of public safety and hazard mitigation during a crisis means that scientific opportunities may be sacrificed. Thus, maximizing the scientific gains from eruptions requires improved planning and coordinating science activities among...
Authors
Kari M Cooper, Kyle R. Anderson, Kathy Cashman, Michelle L. Coombs, Hannah R. Dietterich, Tobias P. Fischer, Bruce F. Houghton, Ingrid A. Johanson, Kendra J. Lynn, Michael Manga, Christelle Wauthier
Lava fountain jet noise during the 2018 eruption of fissure 8 of Kīlauea volcano
Real-time monitoring is crucial to assess hazards and mitigate risks of sustained volcanic eruptions that last hours to months or more. Sustained eruptions have been shown to produce a low frequency (infrasonic) form of jet noise. We analyze the lava fountaining at fissure 8 during the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii, and connect changes in fountain...
Authors
Julia E. Gestrich, David Fee, Robin S. Matoza, John J. Lyons, Hannah R. Dietterich, Valeria Cigala, Ulrich Kueppers, Matthew R. Patrick, Carolyn Parcheta
Non-USGS Publications**
Dietterich, H. R., Soule, S. A., Cashman, K. V. and Mackey, B. H. (2015) Lava Flows in 3D, in Hawaiian Volcanoes: From Source to Surface (eds R. Carey, V. Cayol, M. Poland and D. Weis), John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Hoboken, NJ. doi: 10.1002/9781118872079.ch22
Dietterich, H. R., and K. V. Cashman (2014), Channel networks within lava flows: Formation, evolution, and implications for flow behavior, J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 119, 1704–1724, doi:10.1002/2014JF003103.
Cashman, K. V., S. A. Soule, B. H. Mackey, N. I. Deligne, N. Deardorff, and H. R. Dietterich, (2013), How lava flows: New insights from applications of lidar technologies to lava flow studies, Geosphere, 9, 1664-1680, doi:10.1130/GES00706.1.
Dietterich, H.R., and S. L. de Silva (2010), Sulfur yield of the 1600 eruption of Huaynaputina determined by apatite compositions, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 197, 303-312, doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2010.01.003.
**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
Filter Total Items: 40
Eruptive history of northern Harrat Rahat—Volume, timing, and composition of volcanism over the past 1.2 million years
Harrat Rahat, one of several large, basalt-dominated volcanic fields in the western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a prime example of continental, intraplate volcanism. Excellent exposure makes this an outstanding site to investigate changing volcanic flux and composition through time. We present 93 40Ar/39Ar ages and 6 36Cl surface-exposure ages for volcanic deposits throughout...
Authors
Mark E. Stelten, Drew T. Downs, Duane E. Champion, Hannah R. Dietterich, Andrew T. Calvert, Thomas W. Sisson, Gail A. Mahood, Hani M. Zahran
Lava flow emplacement in Harrat Rahat with implications for eruptions in mafic volcanic fields
Mafic volcanic fields are widespread, but few have erupted in historical times, providing limited observations of the magnitudes, dynamics, and timescales of lava flow emplacement in these settings. The Harrat Rahat volcanic field in western Saudi Arabia offers a good opportunity to study eruptions in such a setting, with a historical eruption in 1256 C.E. (654 in the year of the Hijra)...
Authors
Hannah R. Dietterich, Drew T. Downs, Mark E. Stelten
2019 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, increased seismicity, and other significant activity at 17 volcanic centers in Alaska in 2019. The most notable volcanic activity was an eruption of Shishaldin Volcano, featuring eruptive activity that produced lava flows, lahars, and ash. Weak explosive activity also took place at Great Sitkin...
Authors
Tim R. Orr, Cheryl E. Cameron, Hannah R. Dietterich, James P. Dixon, Max L. Enders, Ronni Grapenthin, Alexandra M. Iezzi, Matthew Warren Loewen, John A. Power, Cheryl Searcy, Gabrielle Tepp, Liam Toney, Christopher F. Waythomas, Aaron G. Wech
2018 Volcanic activity in Alaska—Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to eruptions, considerable and minor volcanic unrest, and seismic events at 15 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2018. The most notable volcanic activity came from Mount Cleveland, which had continuing intermittent dome growth and ash eruptions, and Mount Veniaminof, Great Sitkin Volcano, and Semisopochnoi Island, the three of which had minor...
Authors
Cheryl E. Cameron, Tim R. Orr, James P. Dixon, Hannah R. Dietterich, Christopher F. Waythomas, Alexandra M. Iezzi, John A. Power, Cheryl Searcy, Ronni Grapenthin, Gabrielle Tepp, Kristi L. Wallace, Taryn M. Lopez, Kimberly Degrandpre, Jeff A. Perreault
Coordinating science during an eruption: Lessons from the 2020–2021 Kīlauea volcanic eruption
Data collected during well-observed eruptions can lead to dramatic increases in our understanding of volcanic processes. However, the necessary prioritization of public safety and hazard mitigation during a crisis means that scientific opportunities may be sacrificed. Thus, maximizing the scientific gains from eruptions requires improved planning and coordinating science activities among...
Authors
Kari M Cooper, Kyle R. Anderson, Kathy Cashman, Michelle L. Coombs, Hannah R. Dietterich, Tobias P. Fischer, Bruce F. Houghton, Ingrid A. Johanson, Kendra J. Lynn, Michael Manga, Christelle Wauthier
Lava fountain jet noise during the 2018 eruption of fissure 8 of Kīlauea volcano
Real-time monitoring is crucial to assess hazards and mitigate risks of sustained volcanic eruptions that last hours to months or more. Sustained eruptions have been shown to produce a low frequency (infrasonic) form of jet noise. We analyze the lava fountaining at fissure 8 during the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii, and connect changes in fountain...
Authors
Julia E. Gestrich, David Fee, Robin S. Matoza, John J. Lyons, Hannah R. Dietterich, Valeria Cigala, Ulrich Kueppers, Matthew R. Patrick, Carolyn Parcheta
Non-USGS Publications**
Dietterich, H. R., Soule, S. A., Cashman, K. V. and Mackey, B. H. (2015) Lava Flows in 3D, in Hawaiian Volcanoes: From Source to Surface (eds R. Carey, V. Cayol, M. Poland and D. Weis), John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Hoboken, NJ. doi: 10.1002/9781118872079.ch22
Dietterich, H. R., and K. V. Cashman (2014), Channel networks within lava flows: Formation, evolution, and implications for flow behavior, J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 119, 1704–1724, doi:10.1002/2014JF003103.
Cashman, K. V., S. A. Soule, B. H. Mackey, N. I. Deligne, N. Deardorff, and H. R. Dietterich, (2013), How lava flows: New insights from applications of lidar technologies to lava flow studies, Geosphere, 9, 1664-1680, doi:10.1130/GES00706.1.
Dietterich, H.R., and S. L. de Silva (2010), Sulfur yield of the 1600 eruption of Huaynaputina determined by apatite compositions, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 197, 303-312, doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2010.01.003.
**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.