Eric H. ChristiansenEric H Christiansen received a Ph.D. in geology from Arizona State University, after studying at Brown University, Brigham Young University, and the College of Southern Idaho. The volcanic plains of southern Idaho, the vastness of the desert sky, andthe first steps of astronauts on the Moon inspired him to become a geologist. First at the University of Iowa and later at Brigham Young University, Eric teaches courses in physical geology, field geology, geochemistry, igneous petrology, volcanology, ore deposits, and planetary geology. He is the author of many scientific papers on the volcanic evolution of the western United States (especially large supervolcanoes). Together with students and colleagues, his research has also extended to other planets where the volcanoes of Io, the Moon, and Mars, and the sand dunes and mountains of Titan were subjects of investigation. In addition to his research he has written textbooks on physical geology, igneous petrology, and planetary science. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Park Service, the US Geological Survey, and NASA. He belongs to the American Geophysical Union, the Geochemical Society, and a fellow of the Geological Society of America where he acts as Chair of the Division of Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology and Volcanology. Eric lives at the foot of the fault-bounded, actively rising, Wasatch Range where the mountains and the ever changing seasons are inspirations. Read More Read Less