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.

Dr. Scott Hotaling works for Utah State University’s Department of Watershed Sciences. A leading expert in mountain ecology and hydrology, Scott and his team focus on how the cryosphere—Earth’s collection of frozen water—is changing and how these changes are impacting downstream environments. He’s been working in the Teton Mountains for over a decade studying rock glaciers, which are an exciting ray of hope.