Sam Poppe, PhD

Welcome!

 

I am a structural geologist with a healthy fascination for volcanoes because that's where rocky planets like our Earth really demonstrate their dynamic nature!

 

My research aims to understand how rocks in the shallow crust and the surface of rocky planetary bodies are deformed by magma movements and tectonic stresses. I work to better understand past volcanism in our Inner Solar System (Mars, the Moon, Earth, Mercury) and how deformation structures have concentrated fluid flow. I also help to inform volcanic activity forecasts (on Earth). I use field observations, drone-based and orbital remote sensing of planetary surfaces, computational modeling of volcano deformation, laboratory modeling imaged with photogrammetry and X-ray Computed Tomography, and sporadically rock mechanics and geochemical analysis of rock samples.

 

I am an associate of operating planetary imaging missions (HRSC, Bepi-Colombo) and a member of several science teams developing new concepts for planetary science and exploration missions (LUnar Geology Orbiter, High-Resolution Lunar Mineralogy Mapper).

 

I am also an award-winning science communicator. I help journalists to get their stories straight after the newest volcanic eruption on Earth or geological discovery in our Solar System.