Biography
Daniel Williams earned a Ph.D in Geology and Planetary Science from the University of Pittsburgh, an MRes in the Science of Natural Hazards from the University of Bristol, and BSc (Hons) in Geology and Geography from the University of Birmingham. During his Ph.D, Daniel was funded as a NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow. He has subsequently held roles as both a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh from 2018, before beginning his role as Assistant Teaching Professor in 2023. His teaching focuses on Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, where he is responsible for the two core classes for the Certificate in GIS and Remote Sensing (GEOL 1445 and GEOL 1460). Furthermore, he also advises undergraduate research, primarily through GEOL 1901 Independent Study for Certificate students, as well as informally for those students who wish to gain research experience.
Daniel's research focuses on the application of Thermal Infrared (TIR) remote sensing for the observation of active volcanoes worldwide. He uses a combination of laboratory, field and satellite observations to determine the physical and chemical properties of the material that is being erupted and from that attempt to understand the processes occurring behind eruptions. Undergraduate students at the University of Pittsburgh interested in this research are welcome to reach out to Daniel to discuss potential research projects.
Degrees
- Ph.D Geology and Planetary Science - University of Pittsburgh
- MRes Science of Natural Hazards - University of Bristol
- BSc (Hons.) Geology and Geography - University of Birmingham
- Research
- Recent Publications
- Teaching
*Please note that Daniel is not able to advise Master's/PhD students at this time*
Daniel's research centers around using thermal infrared (TIR) measurements acquired over active volcanoes from a variety of different sources to characterize material. The overall goals of his research are to use information acquired from different sensors to determine the potential eruptive state of a volcano, as well as provide accurate measurements from space that can be used to better predict the hazards caused by volcanoes.
Laboratory Infrared Spectroscopy
TIR spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique that uses the amount of energy that is reflected, transmitted or emitted from a sample to determine what it is made of. The chemical structure of the material (i.e. what elements are present and in what molecular arrangement) determines this property. For my research, I am interested in analysis of volcanic ash or tephra. This is fine grained material, that is those particles < 2 mm in size. I measure the emissivity of these samples to determine their composition. These measurements provide is geochemical insight to how a volcano erupted by looking at the size and composition of the material and also then provide the input spectra from which images can be analyzed.
Satellite Remote Sensing of Erupting Volcanoes
Satellite monitoring of volcanoes allows for the extraction of properties such as the quantity of volcanic ash and SO2 that is erupted from a volcano, monitoring the appearance and temperature of thermal anomalies, and monitoring fluctuations in flank deformation. My research focuses on using laboratory spectra to map the constituents of volcanic ash plumes, and determine volume changes post-eruption using the ASTER sensor on-board the Terra spacecraft. From these measurements, I hope to better constrain the pre-, syn-, and post-eruption dynamics at a particular volcano, which is then used to help understand the evolution of potential hazards.
Field-Based Instrument Development
Thermal cameras have opened up volcanoes to in-depth studies of temperature fluctuations that can inform us of the migration of magma beneath the surface. Furthermore, they can be used to provide information on a geologic surface through the use of techniques such as apparent thermal inertia. However, these cameras are broadband (i.e. they collect all information contained within a certain wavelength range), which limits their use to these applications. Through collaboration with Prof. Mike Ramsey (Pitt), we have developed a new generation of thermal camera-based sensors that utilize mechanical filter wheels to place bandpass filters in front of the lens, allowing us to capture multispectral data just as a satellite would. Our work here is to deploy these instruments in the field in order to quantify the chemistry of both ash and volcanic gas (specifically SO2) and understand how changes of these materials relate to the eruptions observed. We have deployed these instruments at several volcanoes during field campaigns in both Guatemala and Japan.
Williams, D. B. and Ramsey, M. S. (2024). Infrared spectroscopy of volcanoes: from laboratory to orbital scale. Frontiers in Earth Science, 12:1308103. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2024.1308103
Thompson, J. O., Williams, D. B., & Ramsey, M. S. (2023). The expectations and prospects for quantitative volcanology in the upcoming Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) era. Earth and Space Science, 10(5), e2022EA002817.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EA002817
Williams, D. B., & Ramsey, M. S. (2022). Analysis of ash emissions from the 2020 Nishinoshima eruption using ASTER thermal infrared orbital data. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 421, 107424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2021.107424
Thompson, J. O., Williams, D. B., Lee, R. J., & Ramsey, M. S. (2021). Quantitative thermal emission spectroscopy at high temperatures: A laboratory approach for measurement and calibration. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126(7), e2021JB022157. http://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022157
Williams, D. B., & Ramsey, M. S. (2019). On the applicability of laboratory thermal infrared emissivity spectra for deconvolving satellite data of opaque volcanic ash plumes. Remote Sensing, 11(19), 2318. http://doi.org/10.3390/rs11192318
Daniel is one of the points of contact for the Certificate in GIS. If you have questions regarding this program, please feel free to reach out to him.
GEOL 0870 The Planets
A survey of our solar system designed for students without technical or mathematical backgrounds. This course examines the historical development of knowledge of our place in the universe, the various bodies that make up the planetary system, including planets, satellites, asteroids and comets, how they were formed, and the factors that control the nature of their surfaces and atmospheres. Of special interest are the effects of these concepts on our understanding of our own home, the Earth. Extensive use will be made of results from crewed and uncrewed spacecraft.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
GEOL 1445/2449 GIS, GPS, and Computer Methods
This course is contains both undergraduate (1445) and graduate (2449) sections, and focuses on the basics behind Geographic Information Science, as well as providing an overview of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). We use ESRI ArcGIS software for the course, and learn the basics about how to project the Earth onto a flat plane and georeference data. We then look at how to actually go about mapping in ArcGIS Pro, including map elements, symbology etc. We explore the different data types (raster vs vector) that are used in GIS, as well as other higher level functions such as Interpolation, Hot Spot Analysis, and Geographic Weighted Regression. Emerging fields, specifically Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning are also introduced. Students complete weekly exercises designed to help them learn the basic skills needed to plot data in ArcGIS Pro. Graduate students also undertake a personal research project, where they apply GIS to their own research/topic of interest. Although run through Geology, this course has students from a variety of different backgrounds, and as such the examples cover a whole range of topics from, environmental science and geophysics, to public health.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
GEOL 1460/2461 Introduction to Remote Sensing
This course provides a foundation in the theory, techniques, and applications of remote sensing and geospatial data visualization spanning the electromagnetic spectrum. Topics include light/matter interaction, optics, and sensor design, image analysis, as well as current applications of remote sensing to science and engineering problems facing local and global populations. The course and integrated image-processing laboratory are designed to provide the student with a strong foundation of remote sensing science. Graduate students taking this course (2461) will participate in an independent research project involving remote sensing theory/data analysis. Students with no prior remote sensing background will also be required to participate in the GEOL 1460 lecture and computer labs.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets
This is an upper level undergraduate course designed for those who have taken GEOL 0055 Lab (required), and other geology courses such as GEOL 0800 and GEOL 0870. This course focuses on the rocky and icy worlds found in the inner and outer solar systems. Processes such as volcanism, impacts, and erosion/weathering are discussed in detail, as well as the methods by which these data are acquired. We then discuss in-depth how these processes occur throughout the solar system, and how different planetary bodies have formed. Exercises involve small research projects on specific missions, as well as using image processing software to interpret planetary datasets.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: GEOL 0055 or consent of instructor.
GEOL 1901 Independent Study
This course permits undergraduates to explore specific topics in the geological sciences. The course is designed in a more flexible format than a directed study, stressing a higher degree of independent library research.
Number of Credits: 4
Prerequisites: None