Michelle L. Coombs, Ph.D.
Michelle Coombs is a Research Geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Volcanic Science Center. She served as Scientist-in-Charge of the Alaska Volcano Observatory from 2016-2023. In this position, Dr. Coombs leads eruption responses, oversees expansion and modernization of volcano monitoring techniques, and guides applied and fundamental research on a host of problems related to volcanology.
Professional Experience
2016–2023: Scientist-in-Charge, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Volcano Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK
2004–Present: Research Geologist, Alaska Volcano Observatory
2001–2004: Research Geologist, Volcano Hazards Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park CA
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Affiliate faculty, University of Alaska Fairbanks
CONVERSE Steering Committee member, 2020–present
Member of AGU student awards committee, 2011–2015
Associate Editor, Bulletin of Volcanology, 2013–2016
Editorial board, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2007–2018
Co-editor for 28-chapter USGS Professional Paper 1769, The 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, 2010
Co-editor for Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research special issue on Growth and collapse of Hawaiian volcanoes, 2006
Education and Certifications
Williams College, BA Geology, 1994
University of Alaska Fairbanks, PhD Geology, 2001
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union, 1996–present
Geological Society of America, 2001–present (elected Fellow in 2015)
International Assoc. of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior, 1999–present
Science and Products
Digital geologic map data for Semisopochnoi Island, Alaska
Aleutian Arc Fluid Geochemical Data
Geologic map of Mount Gareloi, Gareloi Island, Alaska
Introduction to recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
Recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
From field station to forecast: Managing data at the Alaska Volcano Observatory
Probabilistic source classification of large tephra producing eruptions using supervised machine learning: An example from the Alaska-Aleutian arc
Coordinating science during an eruption: Lessons from the 2020–2021 Kīlauea volcanic eruption
Generation of calc-alkaline magmas during crystallization at high oxygen fugacity: An experimental and petrologic study of tephras from Buldir Volcano, western Aleutian Arc, Alaska, USA
The eruptive history, magmatic evolution, and influence of glacial ice at long-lived Akutan volcano, eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA
U.S. Geological Survey 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption response in Hawai'i—After-action review
Phase equilibrium of a high-SiO2, andesite at fO2 = RRO: Implications for Augustine volcano and other high-fO2 arc andesites
Petrology of the 2016–2017 eruption of Bogoslof Island
Overview, chronology, and impacts of the 2016–2017 eruption of Bogoslof volcano, Alaska
On the eruption age and provenance of the Old Crow tephra
Science and Products
Digital geologic map data for Semisopochnoi Island, Alaska
Aleutian Arc Fluid Geochemical Data
Geologic map of Mount Gareloi, Gareloi Island, Alaska
Introduction to recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
Recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
From field station to forecast: Managing data at the Alaska Volcano Observatory
Probabilistic source classification of large tephra producing eruptions using supervised machine learning: An example from the Alaska-Aleutian arc
Coordinating science during an eruption: Lessons from the 2020–2021 Kīlauea volcanic eruption
Generation of calc-alkaline magmas during crystallization at high oxygen fugacity: An experimental and petrologic study of tephras from Buldir Volcano, western Aleutian Arc, Alaska, USA
The eruptive history, magmatic evolution, and influence of glacial ice at long-lived Akutan volcano, eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA
U.S. Geological Survey 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption response in Hawai'i—After-action review
Phase equilibrium of a high-SiO2, andesite at fO2 = RRO: Implications for Augustine volcano and other high-fO2 arc andesites
Petrology of the 2016–2017 eruption of Bogoslof Island
Overview, chronology, and impacts of the 2016–2017 eruption of Bogoslof volcano, Alaska
On the eruption age and provenance of the Old Crow tephra
*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