UAF volcanology graduate will lead geological association
December 19, 2014
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01/05/15
The Geological Society of America has selected a University of Alaska Fairbanks alumna to head the 26,000-member group.
Vicki McConnell will become the executive director of GSA in April 2015. She earned her Ph.D. in geology and volcanology in 1995 from UAF.
McConnell is the state geologist of Oregon and executive director of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, appointments she has held for the past decade. Under her direction, Oregon has been a leader in earthquake risk reduction in schools and emergency facilities, tsunami hazard mitigations and preparedness, and acquisition of lidar imagery for applications in land-use planning, ecosystem restoration, and geologic and hazard mapping.
After earning her doctorate from UAF, McConnell mapped portions of the Aleutian Islands for the Alaska Volcano Observatory, a joint program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the state Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and UAF. Her scholarly work has focused on understanding volcanic eruptive histories and their impact on magma-generated hydrothermal systems. She applies geologic field mapping and geochemical research to volcanic hazards and renewable geothermal energy systems. She has returned to UAF to give lectures.
GSA was formed in 1888 and is dedicated to the professional growth of geophysical scientists and service to humanity. Membership includes people from 115 countries.
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