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Hi, I'm Jess and welcome to my webpage!

I am a researcher in the field of Volcano Geophysics and am currently a lecturer in geophysics at the University of East Anglia in the School of Environmental Sciences.

My masters and doctorate research were both dedicated to volcano seismology. At the University of Leeds, under the supervision of Prof. Neuberg, my MGeophys dissertation was titled "Investigations into the trigger mechanism of LP events at Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat". The project involved travelling to Montserrat to collaborate with scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. My PhD thesis was titled “Discriminating between spatial and temporal variations in seismic anisotropy at active volcanoes”, and was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Savage and Dr. Townend at Victoria University of Wellington. During my PhD, I travelled to Anchorage, Alaska, to work with Dr. Prejean at AVO, researching the seismicity associated with the 2008 eruption of Okmok Volcano. The majority of my PhD research concentrated on Mt. Ruapehu Volcano in New Zealand. There are several major products resulting from that project. Through collaboration with scientists at GNS Science, I carried out two temporary deployments of seismometers. The deployments, and analysis of the data, resulted in what is possibly the largest database of SWS at any volcano. Another major product of my PhD was the development of the software to map seismic anisotropy, available to download here.

I completed a two-year research fellowship at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), where I worked on two projects. The first was to carry out SWS analysis at Kilauea for the first time for several decades. The second project was to develop FEMs to explain unique patterns of ground deformation observed at Kilauea. My second post-doctoral position was at the University of Bristol on a Marie Curie Incoming International Fellowship. My main project was to develop a method of coupling micro- and macro-scale processes using finite element analysis with a view to model fluid movement and its effects on elastic properties of subsurface rocks. Other ongoing projects include analysis of volcano-tectonic earthquakes at Tungurahua volcano, seismicity and deformation associated with fluid movement at Kilauea volcano, investigation into repeating earthquakes near Ruapehu volcano, and stress and strain modelling of various tectonic regimes using finite element analysis.

I take part in a lot of outreach activities, and was awarded a 2016 Engagement project award. For more information about these activities and to see what is coming up click here.

I am also an avid traveller and scuba diver. For more information on my diving click here.