Christina Neal

Neal is a native of Connecticut, and graduated from Brown University in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in geological sciences. In 1986, she received a master's degree in geology from Arizona State University.{{Cite web |title=Christina Neal, MS in Geology, 1986 |url=https://sese.asu.edu/about/alumni/profile/christina-neal |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=School of Earth and Space Exploration |publisher=Arizona State University}}

From 1983-1989, Neal worked for the U.S. Geological Survey at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. In 1990, she joined the newly established Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage, Alaska, where she monitored eruptions in the Aleutian Arc and investigated the eruptive history and volcanic hazards along the Alaska Peninsula and eastern Aleutians. In 1998, Neal took a two-year posting at the United States Agency of International Development in Washington, D.C., as the first Geoscience Advisor to the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance,{{Cite web |title=Safeguard Iowa Partnership - Webinar: Planning the Future of the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area |url=https://safeguardiowa.org/event-327514 |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Safeguard Iowa Partnership}}{{Cite web |title=05/25/11 EMForum.org Transcript: Future of the Talking Hazards Group Discussion Planning the Future of USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area |url=http://www1.udel.edu/DRC/emforum/recordings/20110525.html |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=EMForum |publisher=University of Delaware}} where she reviewed hazard mitigation programs for several countries, including Thailand, Nepal, Ecuador, Colombia, and Kazakhstan, among others. She returned in 2000 to the Alaska Volcano Observatory as a staff geologist, mapping and studying active Alaskan volcanoes. On March 8, 2015, she became the scientist in charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2015 |title=New Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-In-Charge |url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/state-news-release/new-hawaiian-volcano-observatory-scientist-charge |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=U.S. Geological Survey |place=Island of Hawai'i}} succeeding Jim Kauahikaua.{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2015 |title=VOLCANO WATCH: Christina Neal, Scientist in Charge |url=https://bigislandnow.com/2015/03/06/volcano-watch-christina-neal-scientist-in-charge/ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Big Island Now}}

As Scientist-in-Charge, her position entailed directing emergency responses to volcanic events and making sure there were staff to man the observatory, among other tasks.{{Cite web |last=Neal |first=Christina |date=January 16, 2020 |title=Volcano Watch — HVO people and jobs, Part 2: Who and what is the Scientist-in-Charge? |url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-hvo-people-and-jobs-part-2-who-and-what-scientist-charge |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=U.S. Geological Survey}}{{Cite web |last=Neal |first=Tina |date=2020-01-19 |title=Who and what is the scientist-in-charge? |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/01/19/hawaii-news/volcano-update/who-and-what-is-the-scientist-in-charge/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=West Hawaii Today |language=en-US}} During her tenure as Scientist-in-Charge, she was often a contact to the media about volcanic hazards and events in Hawaii.Multiple sources:

• {{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4FEs8lu8Tc |title=Tina Neal, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge |date=May 5, 2018 |publisher=KHON2 News [@KHONNewsHawaii] |via=YouTube}}
• {{Cite news |last=Yamaguchi |first=Melanie |date=June 6, 2018 |title=Tina Neal: 'We need to be in this for the long haul' |work=Hawaii News Now |agency=HawaiiNewsNow |location=Puna |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38375899/tina-neal-we-need-to-be-in-this-for-the-long-haul/}}

In 2019, Neal and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory team were a Science and Environment finalist for a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal.

Neal became the director of the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Science Center in 2021. Among her other duties, she manages the National Volcano Early Warning System.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2021 |title=Christina Neal to Lead USGS Volcano Science Center |url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/christina-neal-lead-usgs-volcano-science-center |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=U.S. Geological Survey |place=Anchorage}}

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• {{Cite web |title=Tina Neal |url=https://volcano.oregonstate.edu/tina-neal-volcanologist |website=Volcano World |date=20 April 2011 |publisher=Oregon State University}}

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Category:Volcanologists

Category:United States Geological Survey personnel

Category:Living people

Category:1959 births