Dr. Isabel Fendley

Biography

Isabel M. Fendley is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Penn State University. Her research focuses on the interactions between volcanic eruptions and climate, examining how these geological events have influenced environmental changes throughout Earth's history. Fendley's studies include the effects of large igneous province (LIP) eruptions, which are the largest volcanic eruptions associated with mass extinctions and ocean anoxic events in the geologic record. Her main research themes are: understanding the mechanisms by which LIPs affect the environment; investigating the paleoenvironmental proxy records of carbon and oxygen isotopes to explore environmental responses during volcanic gas emissions; and comprehending gas emission processes in modern volcanic systems and their long-term climate effects. Her work utilizes sedimentary and igneous rocks to glean insights into ancient environments and major geological phenomena, such as the end-Cretaceous mass extinction and the relationship between LIP volcanism and climate change during past geological periods. Fendley also focuses on the relationship between modern volcanic sulfur and carbon emissions, and the implications of mercury emissions from volcanic systems for contemporary environmental conditions.

Research Interests