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
Volcano monitoring using GPS: Developing data analysis strategies based on the June 2007 Kīlauea Volcano intrusion and eruption
Slow slip event at Kilauea Volcano
Localized surface disruptions observed by InSAR during strong earthquakes in Java and Hawai'i
Shallow magma accumulation at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, revealed by microgravity surveys
Monitoring lava-dome growth during the 2004–2008 Mount St. Helens, Washington, eruption using oblique terrestrial photography
Volcano monitoring
Surface deformation analysis of the Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes, Hawai‘i, based on InSAR displacement time series
SBAS-InSAR analysis of surface deformation at Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes in Hawaii
Long-term changes in quiescent degassing at Mount Baker Volcano, Washington, USA; Evidence for a stalled intrusion in 1975 and connection to a deep magma source
Magma degassing triggered by static decompression at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Towards continuous 4D microgravity monitoring of volcanoes
Instrumentation recommendations for volcano monitoring at U.S. volcanoes under the national volcano early warning system
Science and Products
Volcano monitoring using GPS: Developing data analysis strategies based on the June 2007 Kīlauea Volcano intrusion and eruption
Slow slip event at Kilauea Volcano
Localized surface disruptions observed by InSAR during strong earthquakes in Java and Hawai'i
Shallow magma accumulation at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, revealed by microgravity surveys
Monitoring lava-dome growth during the 2004–2008 Mount St. Helens, Washington, eruption using oblique terrestrial photography
Volcano monitoring
Surface deformation analysis of the Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes, Hawai‘i, based on InSAR displacement time series
SBAS-InSAR analysis of surface deformation at Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes in Hawaii
Long-term changes in quiescent degassing at Mount Baker Volcano, Washington, USA; Evidence for a stalled intrusion in 1975 and connection to a deep magma source
Magma degassing triggered by static decompression at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Towards continuous 4D microgravity monitoring of volcanoes
Instrumentation recommendations for volcano monitoring at U.S. volcanoes under the national volcano early warning system
*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