This week, the California Volcano Observatory welcomes its newest Scientist-in-Charge, Phillip (Phil) Dawson!
Phil replaces Andy Calvert, who stepped down in September after five very busy years overseeing CalVO's move to Moffett Field and observatory operations during the worldwide pandemic.
Phil comes from a position as a research geophysicist where he has served with distinction as scientist, colleague, organizational leader, and mentor for more than 40 years. He is an internationally-recognized expert in volcano seismology with vast experience in field, experimental, and theoretical approaches to understanding, in particular, the mysterious but important seismicity related to fluids in magmatic systems. His seismic data processing and analysis software and techniques are now used around the globe to evaluate unrest and eruptive activity. Most recently, Phil has been a leader of CalVO's geophysical monitoring efforts, keeping a watchful eye on California's volcanoes. He has been involved in many significant eruption responses, both on site and remotely, including the Redoubt eruption in Alaska 1989-90, Mount St. Helens, 2004, and Kīlauea in 2018 and 2020.
The USGS Volcano Science Center and the California Volcano Observatory are thrilled to have Phil start his new role this new year!