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
Contrasting volcanism in Hawaiʻi and the Galápagos
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: A natural laboratory for studying basaltic volcanism
Petrologic insights into basaltic volcanism at historically active Hawaiian volcanoes
Natural hazards and risk reduction in Hawaii
The evolution of seismic monitoring systems at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
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
One hundred volatile years of volcanic gas studies at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Magma supply, storage, and transport at shield-stage Hawaiian volcanoes
Moderate-magnitude earthquakes induced by magma reservoir inflation at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Science and Products
Contrasting volcanism in Hawaiʻi and the Galápagos
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: A natural laboratory for studying basaltic volcanism
Petrologic insights into basaltic volcanism at historically active Hawaiian volcanoes
Natural hazards and risk reduction in Hawaii
The evolution of seismic monitoring systems at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
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
One hundred volatile years of volcanic gas studies at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Magma supply, storage, and transport at shield-stage Hawaiian volcanoes
Moderate-magnitude earthquakes induced by magma reservoir inflation at 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