Near-vertical view into the eruptive vent inset within the southeast edge of Halema'uma'u Crater. The crusting, slowly circulating lava surface was about 115 m (375 ft) below the floor of Halema'uma'u.
Tim R. Orr
Physical volcanology and eruption dynamics of basaltic volcanoes, principally Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii, and the Bering Sea Basalt Province, Alaska. Eruptive histories and hazards of Hawaiian and Alaska volcanoes.
My position as a Research Geologist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory focuses on fundamental research on eruption and flow field processes to understand hazards better and improve forecasts, first in Hawaiʻi and now in Alaska. My work entails observing and measuring eruptive activity as part of operational monitoring and through directed field studies to analyze the data collected to gain fundamental insights into eruptive phenomena in Hawaiʻi, Alaska, and worldwide.
In addition, a fundamental part of my position is the monitoring of, and response to, volcanic unrest and eruptions. I serve as a 24/7 on-call duty scientist and duty remote sensor at AVO periodically throughout the year, and more often as needed during eruption crises, with primary responsibility for assessing volcanic activity daily and issuing hazard alerts. Because of my previous experience at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, I am also called upon to help with eruption response efforts in Hawaiʻi, when needed.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory, June 2017–Present
Research Geologist, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, May 2016–June 2017
Operational Geologist, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, June 2005–May 2016
Physical Science Technician, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, November 2002–June 2005
Education and Certifications
University of Hawaii at Manoa, PH.D. (2015) – Geology and Geophysics
Northern Arizona University, M.S. (1997) – Geology
University of Montana, B.A. (1995) – Geology
University of Montana, B.A. (1993) – Geography
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior
Science and Products
Near-vertical view into the eruptive vent inset within the southeast edge of Halema'uma'u Crater. The crusting, slowly circulating lava surface was about 115 m (375 ft) below the floor of Halema'uma'u.
A zoomed-in view of the spatter vent taken from the north rim of Pu'u 'O 'o.
A zoomed-in view of the spatter vent taken from the north rim of Pu'u 'O 'o.
A vent opening on the north side of the Pu'u 'O 'o crater floor just after 6 am this morning. By 10:30 am, a lava lake up to 10 m (33 ft) deep had filled the eastern half of the crater.
A vent opening on the north side of the Pu'u 'O 'o crater floor just after 6 am this morning. By 10:30 am, a lava lake up to 10 m (33 ft) deep had filled the eastern half of the crater.
A new breakout started yesterday afternoon (9/30) near Kalapana. By this morning, the flow had nearly stopped, its front (shown here) barely creeping forward through grass and sparse forest.
A new breakout started yesterday afternoon (9/30) near Kalapana. By this morning, the flow had nearly stopped, its front (shown here) barely creeping forward through grass and sparse forest.
The breakout was from the side of the lava tube feeding the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry a few hundred meters (yards) upslope from where the tube crosses Highway 130. The photo is taken from the crest of the tube, which forms a low ridge snaking through the flow field in this area.
The breakout was from the side of the lava tube feeding the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry a few hundred meters (yards) upslope from where the tube crosses Highway 130. The photo is taken from the crest of the tube, which forms a low ridge snaking through the flow field in this area.
The western entry continued to add to its delta, with several small streams of lava battered by the waves.
The western entry continued to add to its delta, with several small streams of lava battered by the waves.
Lava devastated more forest in the past few days as the finger of lava feeding the eastern ocean entry expanded slightly eastward.
Lava devastated more forest in the past few days as the finger of lava feeding the eastern ocean entry expanded slightly eastward.
This photograph shows the eastern ocean entry, which covered a small beach.
This photograph shows the eastern ocean entry, which covered a small beach.
This composite image merges a thermal image and normal photograph, and shows the active flow front in Kalapana. Breakouts (shown by white/yellow areas) were present at the base of the pali (uppermost white/yellow areas), in several spots near the County viewing area, and on the fingers of lava feeding the two ocean entries.
This composite image merges a thermal image and normal photograph, and shows the active flow front in Kalapana. Breakouts (shown by white/yellow areas) were present at the base of the pali (uppermost white/yellow areas), in several spots near the County viewing area, and on the fingers of lava feeding the two ocean entries.
View looking south at the more vigorous western ocean entry. The fault scarp that prevented flows from reaching the ocean for several days crosses the photo in the foreground.
View looking south at the more vigorous western ocean entry. The fault scarp that prevented flows from reaching the ocean for several days crosses the photo in the foreground.
View looking northeast, toward Kalapana Gardens, with the eastern of the two ocean entries in the foreground.
View looking northeast, toward Kalapana Gardens, with the eastern of the two ocean entries in the foreground.
View looking west at the eastern of the two new ocean entries. Lava has completely buried the beautiful pebbly beach that was in this spot. The western entry is in the background at upper left.
View looking west at the eastern of the two new ocean entries. Lava has completely buried the beautiful pebbly beach that was in this spot. The western entry is in the background at upper left.
View looking south toward active flows on the coastal flats near Kalapana Gardens subdivision. The new flows entered the area from right center, crossing the end of Hwy 130, and burning through forest adjacent to the coast. The burned remains of trees and brush cover the surface of the new flows at the center of the image.
View looking south toward active flows on the coastal flats near Kalapana Gardens subdivision. The new flows entered the area from right center, crossing the end of Hwy 130, and burning through forest adjacent to the coast. The burned remains of trees and brush cover the surface of the new flows at the center of the image.
A 1-meter-wide channel feeds a surge of lava that broke out from the inflating flow margin on the Hakuma horst, sending a fast-moving - but relatively small - flow through coconut palms towards the ocean.
A 1-meter-wide channel feeds a surge of lava that broke out from the inflating flow margin on the Hakuma horst, sending a fast-moving - but relatively small - flow through coconut palms towards the ocean.
View of lava cascading down the sea cliff onto the delta at the western ocean entry.
View of lava cascading down the sea cliff onto the delta at the western ocean entry.
The front of this small finger of lava was almost to the sea cliff this morning, and was burning through low brush along the coastline.
The front of this small finger of lava was almost to the sea cliff this morning, and was burning through low brush along the coastline.
The flows that reached the ocean on July 25 continued to build a small delta today.
The flows that reached the ocean on July 25 continued to build a small delta today.
In the past day a second finger of lava overtopped the Hakuma horst and pushed through thick vegetation towards the ocean. The flow front was less than 20 meters from the sea cliff this morning. Along the margins of this finger, lava triggered numerous small fires, sending thick smoke through the forest of hala trees and coconut palms.
In the past day a second finger of lava overtopped the Hakuma horst and pushed through thick vegetation towards the ocean. The flow front was less than 20 meters from the sea cliff this morning. Along the margins of this finger, lava triggered numerous small fires, sending thick smoke through the forest of hala trees and coconut palms.
The finger of lava that reached the ocean yesterday took out numerous trees on its path to the water. This coconut palm was one of many burned and fallen.
The finger of lava that reached the ocean yesterday took out numerous trees on its path to the water. This coconut palm was one of many burned and fallen.
Lava exited the tube at the sea cliff and poured out onto the growing delta.
Lava exited the tube at the sea cliff and poured out onto the growing delta.
A narrow finger of lava reached the ocean just after 2 pm yesterday. By this afternoon the lava had built a small delta, barely visible through the thick steam plume. Lava also remained active on the coastal plain, close to residences in Kalapana.
A narrow finger of lava reached the ocean just after 2 pm yesterday. By this afternoon the lava had built a small delta, barely visible through the thick steam plume. Lava also remained active on the coastal plain, close to residences in Kalapana.
The 2008–2018 summit lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Views of a century of activity at Kīlauea Caldera—A visual essay
Kīlauea’s 2008–2018 summit lava lake—Chronology and eruption insights
Correcting the historical record for Kīlauea Volcano's 1832, 1868, and 1877 summit eruptions
The birth of a Hawaiian fissure eruption
Petrologic insights into rift zone magmatic interactions from the 2011 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi
Insights into pāhoehoe lava emplacement using visible and thermal structure-from-motion photogrammetry
Undocumented late 18th- to early 19th-century volcanic eruptions in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Communication strategy of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory during the lava-flow crisis of 2014–2015, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Lava lake thermal pattern classification using self organizing maps and relationships to eruption processes at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Controls on lava lake level at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano
The 2018 rift eruption and summit collapse of Kilauea Volcano
Science and Products
Near-vertical view into the eruptive vent inset within the southeast edge of Halema'uma'u Crater. The crusting, slowly circulating lava surface was about 115 m (375 ft) below the floor of Halema'uma'u.
Near-vertical view into the eruptive vent inset within the southeast edge of Halema'uma'u Crater. The crusting, slowly circulating lava surface was about 115 m (375 ft) below the floor of Halema'uma'u.
A zoomed-in view of the spatter vent taken from the north rim of Pu'u 'O 'o.
A zoomed-in view of the spatter vent taken from the north rim of Pu'u 'O 'o.
A vent opening on the north side of the Pu'u 'O 'o crater floor just after 6 am this morning. By 10:30 am, a lava lake up to 10 m (33 ft) deep had filled the eastern half of the crater.
A vent opening on the north side of the Pu'u 'O 'o crater floor just after 6 am this morning. By 10:30 am, a lava lake up to 10 m (33 ft) deep had filled the eastern half of the crater.
A new breakout started yesterday afternoon (9/30) near Kalapana. By this morning, the flow had nearly stopped, its front (shown here) barely creeping forward through grass and sparse forest.
A new breakout started yesterday afternoon (9/30) near Kalapana. By this morning, the flow had nearly stopped, its front (shown here) barely creeping forward through grass and sparse forest.
The breakout was from the side of the lava tube feeding the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry a few hundred meters (yards) upslope from where the tube crosses Highway 130. The photo is taken from the crest of the tube, which forms a low ridge snaking through the flow field in this area.
The breakout was from the side of the lava tube feeding the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry a few hundred meters (yards) upslope from where the tube crosses Highway 130. The photo is taken from the crest of the tube, which forms a low ridge snaking through the flow field in this area.
The western entry continued to add to its delta, with several small streams of lava battered by the waves.
The western entry continued to add to its delta, with several small streams of lava battered by the waves.
Lava devastated more forest in the past few days as the finger of lava feeding the eastern ocean entry expanded slightly eastward.
Lava devastated more forest in the past few days as the finger of lava feeding the eastern ocean entry expanded slightly eastward.
This photograph shows the eastern ocean entry, which covered a small beach.
This photograph shows the eastern ocean entry, which covered a small beach.
This composite image merges a thermal image and normal photograph, and shows the active flow front in Kalapana. Breakouts (shown by white/yellow areas) were present at the base of the pali (uppermost white/yellow areas), in several spots near the County viewing area, and on the fingers of lava feeding the two ocean entries.
This composite image merges a thermal image and normal photograph, and shows the active flow front in Kalapana. Breakouts (shown by white/yellow areas) were present at the base of the pali (uppermost white/yellow areas), in several spots near the County viewing area, and on the fingers of lava feeding the two ocean entries.
View looking south at the more vigorous western ocean entry. The fault scarp that prevented flows from reaching the ocean for several days crosses the photo in the foreground.
View looking south at the more vigorous western ocean entry. The fault scarp that prevented flows from reaching the ocean for several days crosses the photo in the foreground.
View looking northeast, toward Kalapana Gardens, with the eastern of the two ocean entries in the foreground.
View looking northeast, toward Kalapana Gardens, with the eastern of the two ocean entries in the foreground.
View looking west at the eastern of the two new ocean entries. Lava has completely buried the beautiful pebbly beach that was in this spot. The western entry is in the background at upper left.
View looking west at the eastern of the two new ocean entries. Lava has completely buried the beautiful pebbly beach that was in this spot. The western entry is in the background at upper left.
View looking south toward active flows on the coastal flats near Kalapana Gardens subdivision. The new flows entered the area from right center, crossing the end of Hwy 130, and burning through forest adjacent to the coast. The burned remains of trees and brush cover the surface of the new flows at the center of the image.
View looking south toward active flows on the coastal flats near Kalapana Gardens subdivision. The new flows entered the area from right center, crossing the end of Hwy 130, and burning through forest adjacent to the coast. The burned remains of trees and brush cover the surface of the new flows at the center of the image.
A 1-meter-wide channel feeds a surge of lava that broke out from the inflating flow margin on the Hakuma horst, sending a fast-moving - but relatively small - flow through coconut palms towards the ocean.
A 1-meter-wide channel feeds a surge of lava that broke out from the inflating flow margin on the Hakuma horst, sending a fast-moving - but relatively small - flow through coconut palms towards the ocean.
View of lava cascading down the sea cliff onto the delta at the western ocean entry.
View of lava cascading down the sea cliff onto the delta at the western ocean entry.
The front of this small finger of lava was almost to the sea cliff this morning, and was burning through low brush along the coastline.
The front of this small finger of lava was almost to the sea cliff this morning, and was burning through low brush along the coastline.
The flows that reached the ocean on July 25 continued to build a small delta today.
The flows that reached the ocean on July 25 continued to build a small delta today.
In the past day a second finger of lava overtopped the Hakuma horst and pushed through thick vegetation towards the ocean. The flow front was less than 20 meters from the sea cliff this morning. Along the margins of this finger, lava triggered numerous small fires, sending thick smoke through the forest of hala trees and coconut palms.
In the past day a second finger of lava overtopped the Hakuma horst and pushed through thick vegetation towards the ocean. The flow front was less than 20 meters from the sea cliff this morning. Along the margins of this finger, lava triggered numerous small fires, sending thick smoke through the forest of hala trees and coconut palms.
The finger of lava that reached the ocean yesterday took out numerous trees on its path to the water. This coconut palm was one of many burned and fallen.
The finger of lava that reached the ocean yesterday took out numerous trees on its path to the water. This coconut palm was one of many burned and fallen.
Lava exited the tube at the sea cliff and poured out onto the growing delta.
Lava exited the tube at the sea cliff and poured out onto the growing delta.
A narrow finger of lava reached the ocean just after 2 pm yesterday. By this afternoon the lava had built a small delta, barely visible through the thick steam plume. Lava also remained active on the coastal plain, close to residences in Kalapana.
A narrow finger of lava reached the ocean just after 2 pm yesterday. By this afternoon the lava had built a small delta, barely visible through the thick steam plume. Lava also remained active on the coastal plain, close to residences in Kalapana.
The 2008–2018 summit lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Views of a century of activity at Kīlauea Caldera—A visual essay
Kīlauea’s 2008–2018 summit lava lake—Chronology and eruption insights
Correcting the historical record for Kīlauea Volcano's 1832, 1868, and 1877 summit eruptions
The birth of a Hawaiian fissure eruption
Petrologic insights into rift zone magmatic interactions from the 2011 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi
Insights into pāhoehoe lava emplacement using visible and thermal structure-from-motion photogrammetry
Undocumented late 18th- to early 19th-century volcanic eruptions in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Communication strategy of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory during the lava-flow crisis of 2014–2015, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Lava lake thermal pattern classification using self organizing maps and relationships to eruption processes at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Controls on lava lake level at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano
The 2018 rift eruption and summit collapse of Kilauea Volcano
*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