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Kelby Hicks

PhD student

Working PhD Title: Multiparameter monitoring of cyclic eruption phases at Volcán de Colima, Mexico.

Research Interests: Volcanology, Eruption Forecasting, Geophysical Hazards, Remote Sensing & Multiparameter Monitoring

Biography

I am a PhD researcher in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge, UK. In November, 2007 I graduated from University College London, UK with a Master of Science degree (MSc) in Geophysical Hazards. To complete this qualification, I studied the effects of elevated pH levels resulting from persistent volcanic degassing of SO2 on Ambrym Island, Vanuatu. I have a Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Geology from West Virginia University, USA. My most recent full-time employment was at the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey as a Geologist II working in the Geosciences Division. During 2004, I was a group leader and teaching assistant for the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes Hilo, Hawai’i Volcanology Field Monitoring and Methods course and volunteered at the USGS Hawaiian Volcanology Observatory. In May of 2006, I worked for the Instituto Geologico Minero y Metalorgico as a member of an expedition to southern Peru to perform a series of field studies on the erupting volcano Ubinas.

Qualifications

  • 2008: Certified Online College Instructor. Community and Technical College System of WV: Introduction to Online Learning Course.
  • 2007: MSc. Geophysical Hazards (Degree passed with merit). University College London, London, UK
  • 2005: BS Geology. West Virginia University, WV, USA
  • 2004: National Student Exchange Participant. University of Hawai’i, Hilo, Hawai’i, USA
  • 2003: Internship. Association of American State Geologists and National Science Foundation Internship for STATEMAP Structural Mapping Project
  • 2000 - 04: Geology Major. West Virginia University, WV, USA

Career

  • 2010: Research Assistant. University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
  • 2008 - 10: Geologist II. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, West Virginia, USA
  • 2006 - 10: Geophysical Hazards Specialist. Volcan Inc., Texas, USA
  • 2005 - 06: Geologist I. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, West Virginia, USA
  • 2006: Invited Volunteer Scientist. Instituto Geologico Minero Y Metalurgico, Lima, Peru
  • 2005: Student Worker. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, West Virginia, USA
  • 2004: Volunteer Field Worker. Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes & United States Geological Survey: Hawaiian Volcanology Observatory, Hawai’i, USA
  • 2004: Teaching Assistant, Group Leader and Student. Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes: Volcanology Field Monitoring and Methods Course, Hawai’i, USA
  • 2004: Fieldworker. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, West Virginia, USA
  • 2003 - 04: Internship and Student Worker. Internship funded by National Science Foundation and Association of American State Geologist. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, West Virginia, USA

Research

I am currently researching the application of multiparameter monitoring at Volcán de Colima, Mexico to constrain eruption cycles. I am also investigating utilizing multiparameter monitoring for eruption forecasting and its usefulness during periods of volcanic crisis.

Publications

Selected publications

2009

  • Hicks, K.E., Clegg, S.G., Hicks, A.J., Harrison, M., Garaebiti, E., 2009. Effects of elevated pH levels resulting from persistent volcanic degassing of SO2 on Ambrym Island, Vanuatu. Poster: 2009 International Summer School of Volcanology, Dodecanese, Greece.

2007

  • Hicks, K.E., 2007. Effects of elevated pH levels resulting from persistent volcanic degassing of SO2 on Ambrym Island, Vanuatu. Unpublished MSc dissertation, University College London, UK.
  • Clegg, S.G., Hicks, K.E., 2007. Ambrym Field Report. Smithsonian Institution, Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, v. 32, no. 5.
  • Clegg, S.G., Hicks, K.E., Coulbeck, A., Harrison, M., Garaebiti, E., Monek, A., 2007. Exposure Risks to Local Populations from Volcanic Gas and Ash Emissions at Consistently Degassing Volcanoes in Vanuatu. Poster: Cities on Volcanoes 5, Shimabara, Japan.

2006

  • Clegg, S.G., Hicks, K.E., Talavera Salcedo, C.G., 2006. Field Report: Volcanic SO2 Measurements at Ubinas Volcano, Peru, May 2006. Field Report Summary for Instituto Geologico Minero y Metalorgico, Lima, Peru, May 2006.

2004

  • McDowell, R.R., Avary, K.L., Britton, J.Q., Matchen, D.L., Diecchio, R.J., Hicks, K.E., Walkup, L. C., Burns, M.S., and Waggy, P.J., 2004. Preliminary Bedrock Geologic Map of the Fort Seybert Quadrangle. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Open File Publication, OF-0408.
  • Volcano Video Productions. Hilo, Hi. 2004, Winter 2005 Eruption Update (DVD), Contributing Photographer.

2003

  • McDowell, R., Avary, K., Matchen, D., Diecchio, R., Hicks, K. and Howton, C., 2003. Preliminary Bedrock Geologic Map of the Franklin Quadrangle. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Open File Publication OF-0303.

Teaching

  • Supervisor: 1B Environmental Hazards - Volcanoes (2nd Year), University of Cambridge
  • Teaching Assistant: Volcanology Field Monitoring and Methods, Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, Hawai’i, USA

External activities

Associated organisations

  • Cambridge Volcanology Group
  • Society of Exploration Geophysicists
  • Geological Remote Sensing Group
  • International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior
  • American Geophysical Union
  • The Geological Society of America
  • American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2002 - 10)

Professional presentations/lectures

  • Feb - 2008: Effects of elevated pH levels resulting from persistent volcanic degassing of SO2 on Ambrym Island, Vanuatu. Invited Lecture and Colloquium: West Virginia University and WVGES, WV, USA.
  • Aug - 2008: Ubinas Volcano Expedition. Invited Colloquium: West Virginia University and WVGES, WV, USA.
  • July - 2006: Ubinas Volcano Expedition. Invited lecture to the West Virginia Economic and Tourism subcommittee of the WV Legislature, WV, USA.
  • May - 2006: Hawai’i: Kilauea Volcano and the Pu`u `O`o Vent Eruption. Invited Lecture: Concord College, WV, USA.
  • April - 2005: Hawai’i: Kilauea Volcano and the Pu`u `O`o Vent Eruption. Invited Colloquium: WVGES, WV, USA.

Short courses attended

  • (Jan 10th - 23rd, 2011: Open Vent Volcano Hazards. 2011 Pan American Study Institute: International Workshop. Supported by the National Science Foundation, University of Costa Rica, Michigan Technological University, and United States Geological Survey. Costa Rica.
  • Sept 25th - 30th, 2009: Field volcanological laboratory: the Nisyros and the adjoining volcanoes, Greece. 2009 International Summer School of Volcanology: Associazione Italiana Di Vulcanologia (AIV-ONLUS) in collaboration with: IGME, Greece and National-Kapodistrian University of Athens. Nisyros and Kos Islands, Dodecanese, Greece.
  • Aug 16th - 17th, 2008: Field-based methodologies for quantifying volcanic activity. IAVCEI General Assembly. Reykjavik, Iceland.
  • Aug 23rd - 24th, 2008: Recent developments in explosive volcanism. IAVCEI General Assembly: Commission on Explosive Volcanism. Reykjavik, Iceland.
  • July - Aug 2004: Volcanology Field Monitoring and Methods. Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, Hawai’i, USA.
  • May - June 2004: Geology Field Camp (Geology 404). South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana, USA. West Virginia University, WV, USA.