Karen Pascal

Qualifications

PhD in Earth Sciences, 2013: ‘Interaction between deformation sources & implications for numerical modelling of magma storage’ – School of Earth & Environment, University of Leeds, UK

B.Sc. in Earth Sciences, Option Volcanology, 2007 – Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Universite Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France

B.A in French Literature, 2002 – Université Paul Valéry, Montpellier, France

B.A in Psychology, 1997 – Université Lyon II, Lyon, France

Bio

With a PhD in volcano-deformation modeling, Dr Karen Pascal joined the SRC in 2013 to lead the Soufrière Hills volcano-geodesy program at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO).

Collaborating with the MVO team and international colleagues, her work includes enhancing deformation monitoring networks and conducting research, focusing on Soufrière Hills as well as other Caribbean volcanoes monitored by the Seismic Research Centre. Her work contributes to evaluating the hazards and risks associated to volcanic risk activity, informing the Montserrat and UK governments for volcanic risk management, as well as keeping the general public informed.

Dr. Pascal also explores alternative, interdisciplinary ways to mitigate volcanic risks, through collaborative projects integrating historical and cultural approaches, involving communities, risk management stakeholders, and an international audience.

Major Publications

Journal Publications

• Hickey J., Pascal K., Syers R., Alshembari R. (2024). Topographical effects on volcano deformation signal intensity: Implications for GPS network configuration. Geophysical Research Letters,51,12,e2024GL108812.
• Alshembari R., Hickey J., Pascal K., Syers R (2024). Declining magma supply to a poroelastic magma mush explains long-term deformation at Soufrière Hills Volcano. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 631, 118624
• Camejo-Harry M., Pascal K., Euillades P.; Grandin R., Hamling I., Euillades L., Contreras-Arratia R., Ryan G., Latchman J., Lynch L., Jo M. (2024). Monitoring volcano deformation at La Soufrière, St Vincent during the 2020–21 eruption with insights into its magma plumbing system architecture. The Geological Society of London, Special Publications, 539, 1, 41-62
• Johnson A., Hickey J., Pascal K., Williamson B., Syers R. (2023). Distinguishing shallow from mid-crustal magmatic processes at Soufrière Hills Volcano using Finite Element Modelling and co-analysis of EDM and GPS data. Volcanica, 6, 2, 265-282
• Hickey J., Pascal K., Head M., Gottsmann J., Fournier N., Hreinsdottir S., Syers R. (2022). Magma pressurization sustains ongoing eruptive episode at dome-building Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, Geology, 50, 11, 1261-1265
• Joseph E., Camejo-Harry M., Christopher T., Contreras-Arratia R., Edwards S., Graham R., Johnson M., Juman A., Latchman J., Lynch L., Miller V., Papadopoulos I., Pascal K., Robertson R., Ryan G., Stinton A., Grandin R., Hamling I., Jo M., Barclay J., Cole P., Davies B., Sparks R. (2022). Responding to eruptive transitions during the 2020–2021 eruption of La Soufrière volcano, St. Vincent. Nature Communications, 13, 1, 4129
• Webb T., Wadge G.,Pascal, K. (2020). Mapping water vapour variability over a mountainoustropical island using InSAR and an atmospheric model for geodetic observations.Remote Sensing ofEnvironment, 237(111560), doi:10.1016/j.rse.2019.11156
• Wadge G., Costa A., Pascal K., Werner C., Webb T. (2016). The variability of refractivity in the atmospheric boundary layer of a tropical island volcano measured by ground-based interferometric radar. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 1-25
• Pascal K., Neuberg J.W., Rivalta E. (2013) On precisely modelling surface deformation due to interacting magma chambers and dykes. Geophysical Journal International, 196, 253-278, doi: 10.1093/gji/ggt343.
• Rivalta E., Pascal K., Phillips J., and Bonaccorso A.(2013). Explosive expansion of a slowly-decompressed magma analogue: evidence of delayed bubble nucleation. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 14, 3067-3084, doi:10.1002/ ggge.20183.

Conference Presentations

• K Pascal, J Hickey, A. Johnson, S. Hreinsdottir, N. Fournier, J. Gottsmann, B. J. Williamson, R. Syers, J. Seyedi. Volcano-deformation monitoring and modelling during prolonged periods of low surface activity: twelve years of slow inflation at Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat. Cities on Volcanoes 11, 13-17 June 2022, Heraklion, Greece.
• Pascal K., Barclay J., Christie J., Armijos Burneo, T., McMahon, W. Mangler M., Hogg J., D’Cruz A., Dupeyron A., Rostant D., Robertson R. ‘The Electric Volcano’: a place to explore effective knowledge for managing future disaster risk. Cities on Volcanoes 11, 13-17 June 2022, Heraklion, Greece. Oral Presentation.