My research aims to understand the thermal evolution of pyroclastic flows during a volcanic eruption. Pyroclastic flows are composed of hot gas and rocks, and are fast moving currents that propagate due to the density differential between the flow and the ambient atmosphere. Due to the hazards and inability to see within a pyroclastic flow, we do not know how the temperature of the flow evolves or how particles are concentrated. Therefore, we do not fully understand the associated dynamics and hazards. I use multiphase numerical models that are constrained with field data and observations to study the internal physics and dynamics of the pyroclastic flows. I specifically work to examine the thermal evolution in order to constrain the concentration of particles and efficiency of the flows to entrain colder ambient air during the 2006 eruption of Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador.

Mary graduated summa cum laude from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO with a B.S. in Geology. She then did a one-year post-baccalaureate internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She is currently finishing up her Ph.D. in Dr. Dufek’s volcanology group and serves as the chair of the Graduates in EAS group. Mary received the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. In her spare time, Mary enjoys running, hiking, volunteering, and traveling.