University of Illinois
Department of Geology
E-mail: pgregg@illinois.edu
Office: NHB 3016
PATRICIA M. GREGG
Associate Head, Dept. of Earth Science & Environmental Change (ESEC)
Professor Earth Science & Environmental Change (ESEC)
Professor National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)
Professor Latin American & Caribbean Studies
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean’s Distinguished Professorial Scholar
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Marine Geophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology / Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program, 2008
Advisor: Jian Lin
B.S. Geology and Geophysics, University of Missouri-Rolla, 2000
Magna Cum Laude, Student Marshal
HONORS & AWARDS
09/2024: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean’s Distinguished Professorial Scholar
09/2020: Helen Corley Petit Scholar
09/2018: NSF CAREER Awardee
09/2018: Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professor Scholar for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
07/2017 – 07/2018: National Center for Supercomputing Applications Faculty Fellowship
09/2011 – 06/2014: CEAOS Institutional Research Associate Postdoc (OSU)
09/2009 – 08/2011: NSF EAR Postdoctoral Fellowship (LDEO, OSU)
09/2003 – 08/2006: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (MIT/WHOI)
06/2002 – 08/2003: Hollister Graduate Research Fellowship (MIT/WHOI)
08/1996 – 12/2000: V.H. McNutt Geology Scholarship (UMR)
08/1997 – 12/2000: Society of Exploration Geophysicists Scholarship (UMR)
08/1996 – 05/2000: Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship (UMR)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
07/2024 – present: University of Illinois, Professor, Dept. of ESEC
07/2022 – present: University of Illinois, Associate Head, Dept. of ESEC
07/2020 – 07/2024: University of Illinois, Associate Professor with Tenure
07/2014 – 07/2020: University of Illinois, Assistant Professor
09/2011 – 06/2014: Oregon State University, Institutional Research Associate
09/2010 – 09/2011: Oregon State University, NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
09/2008 – 09/2009: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
09/2006 – 05/2008: WHOI, Graduate Research Fellow
01/2007 – 06/2007: Boston College, Adjunct Lecturer
09/2003 – 09/2006: MIT/WHOI, NSF Graduate Research Fellow
06/2002 – 08/2003: WHOI, Hollister Graduate Research Fellow
06/2001 – 06/2002: Sprint, Project Manager & Associate Engineer Summer
2000: Sandia National Laboratories, Summer Intern Summer
1999: WHOI, Summer Student Fellow
08/1999 – 05/2000: University of Missouri-Rolla, Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE) Fellow
01/1998 – 05/2000: KMNR FM Campus Radio Station, Music Director & D.J. Summer
1995: University of Missouri-Rolla, Jackling Student Fellow
COURSES TAUGHT AT UIUC
GEOL 118 – Natural Disasters
GEOL 415 / 515 – Scotland (2019), Cyprus (2020), Hawaii (2023)
GEOL 450 – Probing the Earth’s Interior
GEOL 451 – Environmental Geophysics
GEOL 593P – Mid-Ocean Ridge Tectonics
GEOL 350 – Volcanoes
GEOL 593V – Physical Volcanology
GEOL 593K – Methods in Applied Geophysics
FIELD EXPERIENCE
2023: Lead Instructor GEOL 415/515 Field Geology, Hawaii
2020: Co-Instructor GEOL 415/515 Field Geology, Cyprus
2019: Co-Instructor GEOL 415/515 Field Geology, Scotland
2018: Chief Scientist (Shore-based), AT42-06 OASIS-2 ECS Expedition, 8 20N Seamounts, EPR (18 days)
2018: Co-Leader and Professor, GEOL 415/515 Field trip to Scotland (2 weeks)
2016: Chief Scientist, AT37-05 OASIS Expedition, 8 20N Seamounts, EPR (31 days)
2014: 5th International Workshop on Collapse Calderas, Taupo, New Zealand
2012: 4th International Workshop on Collapse Calderas, Vulsini Calderas, Italy
2012: Oregon State University, Adv. Igneous Petrology field trip, Long Valley, CA
2008: Chief Scientist, R/V New Horizon, Costa Rica Seismic Experiment (30 days)
2004-2007: WHOI Geodynamics – Hawaii (’04), Iceland (’06), and Maine (’07)
2005: Ridge 2000 Cyprus Ophiolite Field School 2003: MIT Carbonate Sedimentology field trip, the Bahamas
2003: MIT Continental Deformation field trip, Greece 2002: Shipboard Scientific Party, R/V Melville, Vancouver Leg 1, EPR (28 days)
2001: Shipboard Scientific Party, R/V Atlantis, AT4-4, MAR (28 days)
1996-2000: Participated in several geophysical data collection projects with the UMR Geophysics Group (GPR, EM, Seismic, and Resistivity)
1998: Boston University Summer Field Camp, Western Ireland (5 weeks)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior
Commission on Collapse Calderas
InterRidge
PRESS
Nature World News: Supercomputer Upgrade and Good Timing Can Warn Us of Impending Volcanic Eruptions
Popular Science: Volcanic eruptions are unpredictable, but these geologists cracked the code: If you thought weather forecasting was tough, try taking on magma.
UIUC News Bureau: Great timing, supercomputer upgrade lead to successful forecast of volcanic eruption
UIUC News Bureau: Ice-capped volcanoes slower to erupt, study finds
Researchers unveil new volcanic eruption forecasting technique
BTN: Illinois researchers dive deep to one of Earth’s final frontiers: LiveBIG 2017-18
Forbes: Yellowstone’s Hyperactive Geyser Is Nothing Like Real Supervolcano Eruption Warning Signs
Newsweek: When will the next supervolcano erupt? New model suggests it depends on local plate tectonics
UIUC News Bureau: Study suggests ample warning of supervolcano eruptions
The News-Gazette (Champaign): Trash-Cano makes science a blast
The News-Gazette (Champaign): Trashcano!
Intel iQ Magazine: OASIS Expedition Uses Sophisticated Tech to Probe the Ocean Floor
Intel iQ Magazine: OASIS Scientists Catch High-Tech Ride to the Bottom of the Sea
Storied at the University of Illinois: Three kilometers under the sea
BigTen Network: Illinois geologist dives deep to study deep-sea volcanoes
LAS News Bureau: 3 kilometers under the sea: Illinois leads expedition to explore underwater volcanoes
OSU Press Release: Scientists find possible trigger for volcanic ‘super-eruption’
The Daily Mail: Scientists reveal why pressure builds inside ‘super volcanoes’
OSU Press Release: Scientists find possible trigger for volcanic ‘super-eruption’
The Daily Mail: Scientists reveal why pressure builds inside ‘super volcanoes’
WHOI News Release: Fragmented Structure of Seafloor Faults May Dampen Effects of Earthquakes:
T.V. News Broadcast: Underwater Earthquakes, Ivanhoe News Syndicate
PUBLICATIONS
§ Student Advisee, + Postdoc Advisee
§44. Y. Li, P. M. Gregg, Z. Lu, J. Wang, Stealthy magma system behavior at Veniaminof Volcano, Alaska, Frontiers in Earth Sciences, 2025.
43. J. Wang, Z. Lu, P. M. Gregg, J. Kim, Evolution of the magma system at Makushin Volcano, Alaska, from 2004 to 2021. J. of Volcanology and Geothermal Res., 446, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107991, 2024.
42. Wang, J., Lu, Z., Bekaert, D., Marshak, C., Govorcin, M., Sangha, S., J. Kennedy, and P. M. Gregg, Along-arc volcanism in the western and central Aleutian from 2015 to 2021 revealed by cloud-based InSAR processing. Geophysical Research Letters, 50, e2023GL106323. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL106323, 2023.
§ 41. J. A. Albright and P. M. Gregg, Building a Better Forecast: Reformulating the Ensemble Kalman Filter for Improved Applications to Volcanology, Earth and Space Science, 10, e2022EA002522. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EA002522, 2023.
+ 40. V. Romano, P. M. Gregg, D. Fornari, M. Perfit, D. Wanless, Y. Zhan, M. Battaglia, M. Anderson, Tectonic impacts on mantle melting in the vicinity of oceanic transform faults: The formation of the 8˚20’ N Seamount Chain, East Pacific Rise, Marine Geophysical Researches, 43:22, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-022-09502-z, 2022.
39. A. Fabbrizzi, R. Parnell-Turner, P. M. Gregg, D. J. Fornari, M. R. Perfit, D. Wanless, M. Anderson, Relative Timing of Off-axis Volcanism from Sediment Thickness Estimates on the 8°20’N Seamount Chain, East Pacific Rise, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 23, e2022GC010335. 10.1029/2022GC010335, 2022.
§ 38. R. T. Goldman, John A. Albright, D. M. Gravley, E. B. Grosfils, P. M. Gregg, and Samuel J. Hampton, Characterization of flank eruptions using paleo-stress fields: Akaroa, New Zealand, Journal of Geophysical Research – Solid Earth, doi:10.1029/2022JB024305, 2022.
37. P. M. Gregg, Y. Zhan, F. Amelung, D. Geist, P. Mothes, S. Koric, Z. Yunjun, Forecasting mechanical failure and the June 26, 2018 Eruption of Sierra Negra Volcano, Galápagos – Ecuador, Science Advances, 8, doi:10.1126/sciadv.abm4261, 2022.
§ 36. L. C. Lucas, J. A. Albright, P. M. Gregg, Y. Zhan, The impact of ice caps on the mechanical stability of magmatic systems: Implications for forecasting on human timescales, Frontiers in Earth Sciences | Volcanology, doi: 10.3389/feart.2022.868569, 2022.
35. Y. Zhan, H. Le Mével, D. C. Roman, T. Girona, P. M. Gregg, Modeling deformation, seismicity, and thermal anomalies driven by degassing during the 2005-2006 pre-eruptive unrest of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117524, 2022.
§ 34. J. Wang, Z. Lu, P. M. Gregg, Inflation of Okmok Volcano During 2008–2020 From PS Analyses and Source Inversion With Finite Element Models, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126, DOI: 10.1029/2021JB022420, 2021.
§ 33. Y. Zhan, P. M. Gregg, Z. Lu, Modeling magma system evolution during 2006-2007 volcanic unrest of Atka volcanic center, Alaska, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126, e2020JB020158, DOI: 10.1029/2020JB020158, 2021.
32. J. T. Keane et al., (including P.M. Gregg), The Science Case for Io Exploration, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 10.3847/25c2cfeb.f844ca0e, 2021.
31. J. T. Keane et al., (including P.M. Gregg), Recommendations for Addressing Priority Io Science in the Next Decade, Whitepaper #179 submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032, 2021.
30. M. Anderson, V.D. Wanless, M. Perfit, E. Conrad, P.M. Gregg, D. Fornari, and W.I. Ridley, Extreme mantle heterogeneity in mid‐ocean ridge mantle revealed in lavas from the 8°20′ N near‐axis seamount chain. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 10.1029/2020GC009322, 2020.
29. P. M. Gregg, J. A. Albright, Y. Zhan, J. C. Pettijohn, Geodetic data assimilation for evaluating volcanic unrest, IGARSS 2020 – 2020 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IEEE, Waikoloa, HI, USA pp. 3618-3621, doi: 10.1109/IGARSS39084.2020.9323109, 2020.
§ 28. J. A. Albright and P.M. Gregg, Distinguishing Inflation Drivers at Shallow Magmatic Systems Using Ensemble-Based Data Assimilation, IGARSS 2020 – 2020 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IEEE, Waikoloa, HI, USA, pp. 3622-3625, 10.1109/IGARSS39084.2020.9324332, 2020.
§ 27. H. E. Cabaniss, P. M. Gregg, S. L. Nooner, W. W. Chadwick, Triggering of Eruptions at Axial Seamount, Juan de Fuca Ridge, Scientific Reports, 10(1), 10.1038/s41598-020-67043-0, 2020.
§ 26. Y. Zhan, P. M. Gregg, H. Le Mével, C. A. Miller, C. Cardona, Integrating reservoir dynamics, crustal stress, and geophysical observations of the Laguna del Maule magmatic system by FEM models and data assimilation, J. of Geophysical Research, 10.1029/2019jb018681, 2019.
§ 25. Y. Zhan, P. M. Gregg, How accurately can we model magma reservoir failure with uncertainties in host-rock rheology?, Journal of Geophysical Research, DOI:10.1029/2019JB018178, 2019.
§ 24. J. A. Albright, P. M. Gregg, Z. Lu, and J. Freymueller, Hindcasting magma reservoir stability preceding the 2008 eruption of Okmok, Alaska, Geophysical Research Letters, DOI:10.1029/2019GL083395, 2019.
§ 23. A. M. Morales Rivera, F. Amelung, F. Albino, P. M. Gregg, Impact of Crustal Rheology on Temperature‐dependent Viscoelastic Models of Volcano Deformation: Application to Taal Volcano, Philippines, Journal of Geophysical Research, 10.1029/2018JB016054, 2018.
22. P.M. Gregg, H. Le Mével, Y. Zhan, J. Dufek, D. Geist, W. W. Chadwick, Stress Triggering of the 2005 eruption of Sierra Negra volcano, Galápagos, Geophysical Research Letters, 10.1029/2018GL080393, 2018.
§ 21. H. E. Cabaniss, P. M. Gregg, and E. B. Grosfils, The Role of Tectonic Stress in Triggering Large Silicic Caldera Eruptions, Geophysical Research Letters, 10.1029/2018GL077393, 2018.
+ 20. F. Albino, F. Amelung, and P. M. Gregg, The Role of Pore Fluid Pressure on the Failure of Magma Reservoirs: Insights From Indonesian and Aleutian Arc Volcanoes. Journal of Geophysical Research, 123, 1328-1349, 10.1002/2017JB014523, 2018.
§ 19. Y. Zhan, P. M. Gregg, E. Chaussard, Y. Aoki, Sequential Assimilation of Volcanic Monitoring Data to Quantify Eruption Potential: Application to Kerinci Volcano, Sumatra, Frontiers in Earth Science, doi: 10.3389/feart.2017.00108, 2017.
§ 18. Y. Zhan and P. M. Gregg, Data assimilation strategies for volcano geodesy, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2017.02.015, 2017.
§ 17. H. Lé Mévèl, P. M. Gregg, and K. L. Feigl, H. Lé Mévèl, P. M. Gregg, and K. L. Feigl, Magma injection into a long-lived reservoir to explain geodetically measured uplift: Application to the 2007-2014 unrest episode at Laguna del Maule volcanic field, Chile, Journal of Geophysical Research, 121, doi:10.1002/2016JB013066, 2016.
§ 16. Y. Zhan, G. Hou, T. Kusky, P.M. Gregg, Stress development in heterogenetic lithosphere: Insights into earthquake processes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, Tectonophysics, 671, 56-62, 10.1016/j.tecto.2016.01.016, 2016.
15. M. E. Pritchard and P. M. Gregg, Geophysical evidence for crustal melt: Where, what kind, and how much? Elements 12, 121-127, doi: 10.2113/gselements.12.2.121, 2016.
14. P.M. Gregg and J.C. Pettijohn, A multi-data stream assimilation framework for the assessment of volcanic unrest, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2015.11.008, 2016.
13. P.M. Gregg, E. B. Grosfils, S. L. de Silva, Catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions II: The subordinate role of buoyancy, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 305, 100–113, doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2015.09.022, 2015.
12. S.L. de Silva SL, Mucek AE, P.M. Gregg, and Pratomo I Resurgent Toba—field, chronologic, and model constraints on time scales and mechanisms of resurgence at large calderas. Frontiers in Earth Science, 3:25. doi: 10.3389/feart.2015.00025, 2015.
11. E.B. Grosfils, P.J. McGovern, P.M. Gregg, G.A. Galgana, D.M. Hurwitz, S. Long, S. Chestler, Elastic Models of Magma Reservoir Mechanics: A Key Tool for Understanding Planetary Volcanism. In Massironi, M., Byrne, P., Hiesinger, H., Platz, T. (Eds.), Volcanism and Tectonism across the Solar System. In: Special Publications. Geological Society, London, SP401, 2015.
10. S.L. de Silva and P.M. Gregg, Thermomechanical feedbacks in magmatic systems: Implication for growth, longevity, and evolution of large caldera-forming magma reservoirs and their supereruptions, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, do: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.06.001, 2014.
9. P.M. Gregg, S. L. de Silva, and E. B. Grosfils, Thermomechanics of shallow magma chamber pressurization: Implications for the assessment of ground deformation data at active volcanoes, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2013.09.040, 2013.
8. P.M. Gregg, S. L. de Silva, E. B. Grosfils, J. Parmigiani, Catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions: Thermomechanics and implications for eruption triggering and maximum caldera dimensions on Earth, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.06.009, 2012.
7. P.M. Gregg, L. B. Hebert, L. G. J. Montesi, and R. F. Katz, Geodynamic models of mantle flow and melt extraction at mid-ocean ridges, Oceanography 25(1):78–88, doi:10.5670/oceanog.2012.05, 2012.
6. A.M. Shaw, M.D. Behn, S. Humphris, R.A. Sohn, P.M. Gregg, Evidence for deep pooling of low degree melts from volatile, major, and trace element chemistry of olivine-hosted melt inclusions and glasses from the ultra-slow spreading Gakkel Ridge, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 289, 3-4, 311-322, 2010.
5. P.M. Gregg, M. D. Behn, J. Lin, T. L. Grove, The effects of mantle rheology and fault segmentation on melt generation and extraction beneath oceanic transform faults, Journal of Geophysical Research, 114, B11102, doi:10.1029/2008JB006100, 2009.
4. P. M. Gregg, The dynamics of oceanic transform faults: constraints from geophysical, geochemical, and geodynamical modeling, Ph.D. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 133 pp, 2008.
3. P. M. Gregg, J. Lin, M. D. Behn, L. G. J. Montési, Spreading rate dependence of the gravity structure of oceanic transform faults, Nature, 448, 183-187, 2007.
2. P. M. Gregg, J. Lin, D. K. Smith, Segmentation of transform systems on the East Pacific Rise: Implications for earthquake processes at fast-slipping oceanic transform faults, Geology, 34, 289-292, 2006.
1. D. K. Smith, M. A. Tivey, P. M. Gregg, L. S. Kong, Magnetic anomalies at the Puna Ridge, a submarine extension of Kilauea Volcano: Implications for lava deposition, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 106, No. B8, 2001.
GRANTS & FUNDING
CURRENT FUNDING
- NASA – Earth Surface and Interior | PI T. Girona (UAF), co-I P. Gregg
ECSTASIES: Exploring the Correlation between the transport of volatileS in the crust, volcanoTectonics, and thermAl anomalieS preceding volcanIc EruptionS
Total Award: $350,000 (estimate)
Date: January 2024 – January 2027 - NSF GEO-NERC | PI P. LaFemina (Penn. State), co-PI P. Gregg
Collaborative Research: NSFGEO-NERC: Mechanisms of deformation through a complete eruption cycle of Sierra Negra volcano, Galapagos Islands
Total Award: $348,441
Date: October 2021 – September 2025 - Mardsen Fund, Royal Society of New Zealand | PI: S. Pearson-Grant (GNS Science, New Zealand), co-I’s: C. Miller (GNS Science, New Zealand), S. Ellis (GNS Science, New Zealand), P. Gregg, T. Driesner (ETH Zurich)
What drives a volcano to phreatic eruption?
Total Award: n/a
Date: October 2020 – September 2025
PREVIOUS FUNDING
- NSF-CAREER | PI P. Gregg
CAREER: Investigating the unrest and eruption potential of caldera forming volcanoes in the Aleutians
Total Award: $485,063
Dates: September 2018 – August 2025 - NASA – Earth Surface and Interior | PI P. Gregg, Co-I Zhong Lu (Southern Methodist University)
A Geodetic Data Assimilation Framework for Monitoring Aleutian Volcanoes
Total Award: $541,921
Dates: January 2019 – December 2023 - NSF-EAGER | PI P. Gregg, Co-I Dorsey Wanless (Boise State University)
EAGER: Early Career Training Cruise Opportunity – East Pacific Rise 9 50’N
Total Award: $78,642
Dates: June 2018 – May 2019 - BlueWaters Illinois Allocation | PI P. Gregg
Forecasting Volcanic Unrest and Eruption Potential Using Statistical Data Assimilation
Total Award: 85,000 XE6 Node Hours, $52,700
Dates: June 2018 – March 2019 - NSF-OCE Marine Geology & Geophysics | PI P. Gregg
Testing eruption-triggering mechanisms at Axial Caldera using statistical data assimilation
Total Award: $272,587
Date: September 2016 – August 2019 - NSF-OCE Marine Geology & Geophysics | Lead PI P. Gregg, co-PI’s D. Fornari (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) and M. Perfit (University of Florida)
Collaborative Research: Melting in the Off-Axis Environment – Interdisciplinary Field and Modeling Studies of the 8° 20’N Seamount Chain, EPR.
Total Award: $495,000
Date: September 2016 – August 2019 - NASA – Earth Surface and Interior | PI F. Amelung (U Miami), Co-I P. Gregg
Near-real time InSAR observations of precursory deformation during volcanic crises
Total Award $350,000
Date: January 2015 – December 2018 - NCSA Faculty Fellow Program UIUC | PI P. Gregg
A Data Assimilation Framework for Forecasting Volcanic Unrest
Total Award: $25,000
Date: July 2017 – July 2018 - BlueWaters Exploratory Allocation | PI P. Gregg
Building a data assimilation framework for forecasting volcanic activity
Total Award: 20,000 XE6 Node Hours, $12,400
Dates: June 2016 – May 2017 - NSF EAR Postdoctoral Fellowship | PI P. Gregg
The role of diking in the evolution of continental rift systems
Total Award: $160,000
Dates: September 2008 – August 2011 - NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program| PI P. Gregg
The seismicity of oceanic transform faults along the equatorial East Pacific Rise
Dates: September 2003 – August 2006