My name is PJ Zrelak. I was raised in the Californian Eastern Sierra. I graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor’s in Geoscience and a Minor in Applied Mathematics. I enjoy exercising, banging on my guitar, and being in the midst of mountains. My research interests include: numerical modeling, experimentation, and instrumentation.
I am currently working with Dr. Josef Dufek on projects broadly connected by volcanic fluid dynamics. One project I am interested in is the two-way coupling of magma chamber models and surface deformation models. Historically, modeling efforts to examine surface deformation due to magma chamber evolution have not been able to constrain exotic magma chamber geometries, often opting to use simple geometries (i.e. spheroidal shapes). By coupling the fluid dynamics magma chamber model with a deformation model we will be able to examine what deformation would look like given geometries proscribed by fluid dynamics. Ultimately, we would like to use this model to help us understand eruption triggers and aid in interpreting deformation signals.