Michael Poland
Mike Poland is a research geophysicist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory and the current Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Mike's area of specialization is volcano geodesy, which emphasizes the surface deformation and gravity fields associated with volcanic activity. This work involves the use of space-based technologies, like Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), as well as ground-based techniques, like microgravity surveys. Mike has taken part in studies on a variety of volcanic systems in the United States, including Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest, Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawaii, and the Yellowstone caldera. His recent work has focused on using gravity change over time to understand the character of the fluids that drive volcanic unrest, and also on the potential of satellite data to improve forecasts of future changes in volcanic activity.
Professional Experience
U.S. Geological Survey - Yellowstone Volcano Observatory: Scientist-in-Charge (2017 - present)
U.S. Geological Survey – Cascades Volcano Observatory: Research Geophysicist (2015 - present)
U.S. Geological Survey – Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: Research Geophysicist (2005 - 2015)
U.S. Geological Survey – Cascades Volcano Observatory: Research Geophysicist (2002 - 2005)
Department of Geology, Clark College (Vancouver, Washington): Instructor (2004)
Arizona State University, Department of Geological Sciences: Graduate Teaching/Research Assoc. (1997 - 2001)
Education and Certifications
Arizona State University: Ph.D. (2001), Geological Sciences
University of California, Davis: B.S. (1997), Geology
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Geological Society of America (GSA)
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI)
Honors and Awards
Fellow, Geological Society of America, 2021
Science and Products
A century of studying effusive eruptions in Hawaii
The dynamics of Hawaiian-style eruptions: A century of study
Instability of Hawaiian volcanoes
Growth and degradation of Hawaiian volcanoes
Moderate-magnitude earthquakes induced by magma reservoir inflation at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
A new model for the growth of basaltic shields based on deformation of Fernandina volcano, Galápagos Islands
Continuous gravity measurements reveal a low-density lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Seismic detection of increased degassing before Kīlauea's 2008 summit explosion
TerraSAR-X interferometry reveals small-scale deformation associated with the summit eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Exploring Hawaiian volcanism
The role of viscous magma mush spreading in volcanic flank motion at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Evolution of dike opening during the March 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai`i
Science and Products
A century of studying effusive eruptions in Hawaii
The dynamics of Hawaiian-style eruptions: A century of study
Instability of Hawaiian volcanoes
Growth and degradation of Hawaiian volcanoes
Moderate-magnitude earthquakes induced by magma reservoir inflation at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
A new model for the growth of basaltic shields based on deformation of Fernandina volcano, Galápagos Islands
Continuous gravity measurements reveal a low-density lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Seismic detection of increased degassing before Kīlauea's 2008 summit explosion
TerraSAR-X interferometry reveals small-scale deformation associated with the summit eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Exploring Hawaiian volcanism
The role of viscous magma mush spreading in volcanic flank motion at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Evolution of dike opening during the March 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai`i
*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