USGS Home Contact USGS Search USGS

Alaska Science Center

Home / About Us / Science / Highlights / Maps, Products & Publications / Contact Us / Search

Michelle L. Coombs Title: Research Geologist Address: 4210 University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508-4626 Phone: (907) 786-7403 Fax: (907) 786-7425 Email: mcoombs@usgs.gov

Ph.D.	2001	University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK	Geology
B.S.	1994	Williams College, Williamstown, MA	Geology

Research on volcanic and magmatic processes, geochemistry, petrology, evolution of volcanic systems; geologic mapping.

2001-2004

Research Geologist, Volcano Hazards Program, US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA

Member, American Geophysical Union, 1995-present
Member, Mineralogical Society of America, 1996-present
Member, International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior, 1999-present

2003, STAR Award, USGS, for outstanding contributions towards project work.
2000, Award for Arctic Research Excellence (Physical Sciences Category), Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S.
1999, Outstanding Student Paper Award, American Geophysical Union.
1994, Graduated cum laude with Highest Honors in Geology, Williams College.
1994, Elected member, Sigma Xi.

Coombs, M., Neal. C.A., Wessels, R., and McGimsey, R.G., in review, Geothermal disruption of ice at Mount Spurr Volcano, 2004 – 2006: An unusual manifestation of volcanic unrest in Alaska: USGS Professional Paper “Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, 2005,” P. Haeussler, J. Galloway, eds.

Coombs, M., Sisson, T., and Lipman, P., 2006. Growth history of Kilauea inferred from volatile concentrations in submarine-collected basalts: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 151, 19-49.

Lipman, P., and Coombs, M., 2006. Submarine slump failure during the early(?) tholeiitic shield stage of a Hawaiian volcano: North Kona flank of Hualalai: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 151, 189-216.

Hammer, J., Coombs, M., Shamberger, P., and Kimura, J.-I., 2006. Submarine sliver in North Kona: A window into the early magmatic and growth history of Hualalai Volcano, Hawaii: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 151, 157-188.

Lipman, P., Sisson, T., Coombs, M., and Kimura, J.-I., 2006. Piggyback tectonics: Long-term growth of Kilauea on the south flank of Mauna Loa: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 151, 73-108.

Coombs, M., and Gardner, J., 2004, Reaction rim growth on olivine in silicic melt: Implications for magma mixing: American Mineralogist, v. 89, p. 748-759.

Coombs, M., Clague, D., Moore, G., and Cousens, B., 2004, The growth and collapse of Waianae volcano, Hawaii, as revealed by exploration of its submarine flanks: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 5, doi: 10.1029/2004GC000717.

Coombs, M., Sisson, T., and Kimura, J.-I., 2004, Ultra-high chlorine in submarine Kilauea glasses: Evidence for assimilation of brine by magma: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 217, p. 297-313.

Coombs, M., Eichelberger, J., and Rutherford, M., 2003, Experimental and textural constraints on mafic enclave formation in volcanic rocks: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 119, p. 125-144.

Coombs, M., and Gardner, J., 2001, Shallow storage conditions for the rhyolite of the 1912 eruption at Novarupta, Alaska: Geology, v. 29, p. 775-778.

Coombs, M., Eichelberger, J., and Rutherford, M., 2000, Magma storage and mixing conditions for the 1953-1968 eruption of Southwest Trident volcano, Katmai National Park, Alaska: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 140, p. 99-118.

AccessibilityFOIAPrivacyPolicies and Notices
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey URL: http://alaska.usgs.gov Page Contact Information: ascweb@usgs.gov Page Last Modified: February 6, 2007