View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.
Laszlo Kestay, Ph.D.
Laszlo Kestay is a planetary volcanologist at the US Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center.
Laszlo Kestay is a planetary volcanologist working for the US Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center. His last name was formerly Keszthelyi and this spelling is still used for his publications. He has worked for the USGS since 1991 but was only hired in 2003. He is member of the NASA MRO HiRISE and ESA ExoMars CaSSIS science teams.
Professional Experience
2003-present, Research Geologist, Astrogeology Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey. Studying volcanism across the Solar System with remote sensing, numerical modeling, and field studies. Involved in assessing natural resources across the Solar System and the hazards posed by meteorite impacts.
2012-2018, Science Center Director, Astrogeology Science Center U.S. Geological Survey. Manage the science center as it enables humankind's exploration of the Solar System with support for space missions from conception to beyond the grave.
2011, Associate Science Center Director for Technical Operations, Astrogeology Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey. Overseeing the technical activities (cartography, software development, computer science, data archival, etc.) in the Astrogeology Science Center.
2004-2007, Assistant Team Chief Scientist
1994-1996, NSF Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Hawaii at Manoa and U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Supervisor: Stephen Self
Education and Certifications
B.S., Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, 1987, The University of Texas at Austin
B.S. with Honors, Geological Sciences (Geophysics Option), Summa Cum Laude, 1988, The University of Texas at Austin
M.S., Planetary Science, 1993, Caltech
Ph.D., Geology, 1994, Caltech. Thesis: On the Thermal Budget of Pahoehoe Lava Flows, Advisor: Bruce C. Murray
Science and Products
View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.
Feasibility study for the quantitative assessment of mineral resources in asteroids
Determination of eruption temperature of Io's lavas using lava tube skylights
Observing outer planet satellites (except Titan) with the James Webb Space Telescope: Science justification and observational requirements
Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars
Temperature profile around a basaltic sill intruded into wet sediments
A field investigation of the basaltic ring structures of the Channeled Scabland and the relevance to Mars
Provisional maps of thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, based on satellite thermal infrared imaging and field observations
Emplacement and erosive effects of the south Kasei Valles lava on Mars
Modeling steam pressure under martian lava flows
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
Europa awakening
Science and Products
View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.
View of the crater at the top of the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō cinder cone prior to the appearance of collapse pits in the flank of the cone.