GOVPH

Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo is recognized for his significant contributions to the field of geology and volcanology. His PhD dissertation established the origin by seafloor-spreading of the Andaman Basin between Burma, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and the Andaman-Nicobar island chain. This anticipated the plate tectonic model and was praised for its foresight. His deep-sea drilling research in the Philippine Sea in 1978 showed that cycles of arc sundering in the Marianas Island region precede and follow episodes of arc volcanism, instead of being penecontemporaneous with them, contrary to the prevailing model; this was confirmed eight years later. His studies with Filipino scientists on the Mayon and Pinatubo lahars— their triggering mechanisms, flow behavior, and previous occurrences, have educated the Filipinos and the national leadership about lahars, which is crucial for disaster planning and management. His pioneering work on land subsidence and the resulting flooding and tidal incursions in the country is particularly timely. His research is documented in more than 90 scientific articles in national and international refereed journals, books and proceedings and presented at many conferences all over the world. A five-time recipient of the University of Illinois at Chicago Excellence in Teaching Award, he has mentored about 190 undergraduate and 12 graduate geology and environmental science students, including several Filipinos, a good number of whom are now experts and leaders in the field.

Sex: Male

Education:

• • University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., Doctor of Philosophy in Geology (Marine Geology), 1967
• • University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., Master of Science in Geology (Marine Geology), 1964
• • University of the Philippines - Diliman, Diliman, Quezon City, Bachelor of Science in Geology, 1958

Field of Specialization:

Marine Geology, Oceanography, Sedimentology, Environmental Science, Volcanology, Climate Change , Global Warming, Natural-hazard mitigation, Peak Oil

Researches:

• • Nishimura, A., Rodolfo, K.S., Koizumi, A., Gill, J., & Fujioka, K., (1992) Episodic Deposition of Pliocene-Pleistocene Pumice from the Izu-Bonin Arc, Leg 126
  • Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results Volume 126
• • Rodolfo, K.S. (ed.), (1972) Sedimentation in the World Ocean
  • (A.P. Lisitzin): Soc. Econ. Paleon. and Min., Tulsa
• • van Andel, Tj. H., Heath, G.R. et al., (1973) Initial Reports  of the  Deep-Sea Drilling Project, v. 16
  • U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington
• • Davies, T.A., Luyendyk, B.P., Rodolfo, K.S., et al., (1974) Initial Reports of the Deep-Sea Drilling Project, v. 26
  • U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington
• • Kroenke, L., Scott, R., et al., (1981) Initial Reports of the Deep-Sea Drilling Project, v. 59
  • U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington
• • Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., et al., (1990) Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, vol. 126 (Bonin arc-trench system)
  • College Station, Texas (Ocean Drilling Program)
• • Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., et al., (1992) Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, vol. 126 (Bonin arc-trench system)
  • College Station, Texas (Ocean Drilling Program), Scientific Results
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1995) Pinatubo and the Politics of Lahar: Eruption and Aftermath, 1991
  • Quezon City, Philippines, University of the Philippines Press
• • Emery, K.O., Hulsemann, J., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1962) Influence of turbidity currents upon basin waters
  • Limnology and Oceanography Volume 7
• • Bandy, O.L., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1964) Distribution of foraminifera and sediments, Peru-Chile Trench area
  • Deep-Sea Research Volume 11
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1966) Andaman Sea
  • In: Fairbridge, R.W., ed., Encyclopedia of Oceanography: Reinhold, N.Y., 1021 pp.
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1969) Bathymetry and marine geology of the Andaman Basin, and tectonic implications for southeast Asia
  • Geological Society of American Bulletin Volume 80
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1970) Sediments of the Andaman Basin, northeastern Indian Ocean
  • Marine Geology Volume 7
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1970) Annual suspended sediment supplied to the California borderland by the southern California watershed
  • Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Volume 40
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1970) Geology of Andaman Basin: Further comments
  • Geological Society of American Bulletin Volume 81
• • Rodolfo, K.S., Buss, B.A., & Pilkey, O.H., (1971) Suspended sediment increase due to Hurricane Gerda in continental shelf waters off Cape Lookout, North Carolina
  • Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Volume 41
• • Cronan, D.S., van Andel, T.H., Heath, G.R., Dinkelman, M.G., Bennett, R.H., Bukry, D., Charleston, S., Kaneps, A., Rodolfo, K.S., & Yeats, R.S., (1971) Iron-rich basal sediments from the eastern equatorial Pacific
  • Science Volume 175
• • Rodolfo, K.S. , (1971) Contrasting geometric adjustment styles of drifting continents and spreading sea floors
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Volume 76
• • Buss, B.A., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1972) Suspended sediments in continental shelf waters off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
  • In Swift, D.J.P., Duane, D.B., & Pilkey, O.H., eds., Shelf Sediment Transport: Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Stroudsberg, Pa.
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1972) Physical content of the introductory course must be determined by our teaching goals
  • Introductory Geology: Aspects and Options: CEGS Publication 12, Am. Geol. Inst., Washington D.C.
• • Luyendyk, B.P, Davies, T.A., K.S. Rodolfo, et al., (1973) Across the southern Indian Ocean aboard "Glomar Challenger"
  • Geotimes Volume 18
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1975) The Irrawaddy Delta: Tertiary setting and modern offshore sedimentation
  • In Broussard, M.L., ed., Deltas: Models for Exploration: Houston Geological Society, Houston
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1975) Martaban Canyon [bathymetric chart]
  • In Udintsev, G.B., ed., Geological - Geophysical Atlas of the Indian Ocean: Acad. of Sciences of the U.S.S.R., Moscow
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1976) Andaman Sea. Macropaedia
  • Encyclopaedia Brittanica Volume 1
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1976) Micropaedia entries on oceanography and marine geology
  • Encyclopaedia Brittanica
• • Kroenke, L., Scott, R., et al., (1978) In the Philippine Sea: Questions answered
  • Geotimes Volume 23
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1979) One picture is worth more than 10,000 words:  How to illustrate a paper for the Journal of Sedimentary Petrology
  • Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Volume 49
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1981) Sedimentologic summary: Clues to arc volcanism, arc-sundering and back-arc spreading in the sedimentary sequences of Deep-Sea Drilling Project Leg
  • In Kroenke, L., Scott, R., et al., Initial Reports of the Deep-Sea Drilling Project 59: U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington Volume 59
• • Rodolfo, K.S., & Warner, R.J., (1981) Tectonic, volcanic and sedimentologic significance of volcanic glasses from Site 450 in the eastern Parece Vela Basin
  • In Kroenke, L, Scott, R., et al., Initial Reports of the Deep-Sea Drilling Project 59: U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington Volume 59
• • Ozbek, T., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1986) The use of sandstone petrology in sedimentologic and tectonic interpretation: An example from northeastern USA
  • Bulletin of the Geological Society of Turkey Volume 29
• • Arguden, A.T., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1986) Sedimentology of hot and cold lahar deposits produced by the 1984 eruption of Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • Philippine Journal of Volcanology Volume 3, No. 60-78
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1986) Mabinit lahar channel, Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • Philippine Journal of Volcanology Volume 3
• • Arguden, A.T, & Rodolfo, K.S., (1986) Sedimentary facies and tectonic implications of Lower Mesozoic alluvial fan conglomerates of the Newark Basin, northeastern United States
  • Sedimentary Geology Volume 51, No. 1/2
• • Ruelo, H.B., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1986) Flowslide triggered by 1984 eruption of Mayon Volcano
  • Philippine Journal of Volcanology Volume 3
• • Warner, R.J., Flower, M.F.J., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1987) Geochemical evidence for sundering of the West Mariana arc in Miocene ash from the Parece Vela Basin
  • Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research Volume 33
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1989) Origin and early evolution of lahar channel near Mabinit, Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • Geological Society of America Bulletin Volume 101
• • Rodolfo, K.S., Arguden, A.T., Solidum, R.U., & Umbal, J.V., (1989) Anatomy and behaviour of a post-eruptive rain lahar triggered by a typhoon on Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology Volume 40
• • Arguden, A.T., Umbal, J.V., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1989) 17 October 1985 typhoon-triggered lahar on Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • Proceedings of the International Conference on Volcanoes, Kagoshima, Japan
• • Arguden, A.T., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1990) Sedimentologic and dynamic differences between hot and cold laharic debris flows of Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • Geological Society of American Bulletin Volume 102
• • Egeberg, P., Fujioka, K., Taylor, R., Janecek, T., Aitchison, J., Cisowski, S., Colella, A., Cooper, P.A., Dadey, K., Firth, J., Gill, J., Herman, Y., Hiscott, R., Isminger-Kelso, M., Kaiho, K., Klaus, A., Koyama, M., Lapierre, H., Lovell, M., Marsaglia, K., Nishimura, A., Pezard, P., Rodolfo, K., Taylor, R., Tazaki, K., & Torssander, P., (1990) Unusual composition of pore waters found in the Izu-Bonin fore-arc sedimentary basin
  • Nature Volume 344
• • La Pierre, H., Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., Janacek, T., Gill, J., Taylor, R., Torrsander, P., Aitchinson, J., Cisowski, S., Collela, A., Cooper, P.A., Dadey, K., Egeberg, P.K., Firth, J., Herman, Y., Hiscott, R., Isminger-Kelso, M., Kaiho, K., Klaus, A., Koyama, M., Lovell, M., Marsaglia, K., Nikshimura, A., Pezard, P., Rodolfo, K.S., & Takaki, K., (1990) Incipient back-arc basin and fore-arc evolution in the Izu-Bonin Arc (West Pacific)
  • Comptes Rendus de L‘Academie des Sciences Serie II Volume 311, No. 1
• • Rodolfo, K.S., & Arguden, A.T., (1991) Rain-lahar generation and sediment delivery systems at Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • In Fisher, R.V., & Smith, G.A., eds., Sedimentation in Volcanic Settings: Soc. Econ. Mineral. and Paleontol. Special Publication 45
• • Nishimura, A., Marsaglia, K., Rodolfo, K., Collela, A., Hiscott, R., Tazaki, K., Gill, J., Janecek, T., Isminger-Kelso, M., Taylor, R., Fujioka, K., & Leg 126 Scientific Party, (1991) Episodic  Pliocene-Quaternary deposition of massive submarine pumice deposits in the Sumisu Rift area, Izu-Bonin Arc
  • In Fisher, R. V., and Smith, G. A., eds., Sedimentation in Volcanic Settings. Soc. Econ. Mineral. and Paleontol. Special Publication 45
• • Pinatubo Volcano Observatory Team, (1991) Lessons from a major eruption: Mount Pinatubo, Philippines
  • EOS Transactions American Geophysical Union Journal Volume 72, No. (49)
• • Leg 126 shipboard scientific party, (1989) Arc volcanism and rifting
  • Nature Volume 342
• • Leg 126 shipboard scientific party, (1989) ODP Leg 126 drills the Izu-Bonin Arc
  • Geotimes Volume 102
• • Nishimura, A., Rodolfo, K.S., Koizumi, A., Gill, J., & Fujioka, K., (1992) Episodic deposition of Pliocene-Pleistocene pumice from the Izu-Bonin Arc, Leg 126
  • In Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., et al., Proc. ODP, Sci. Results 126. College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling program)
• • Fujioka, K., Nishimura, A., Matsuo, Y., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1992) Correlation of Quaternary tephras throughout the Izu-Bonin areas
  • In Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., et al., Proc. ODP, Sci. Results 126: College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program)
• • Fujioka, K., Matsuo, Y., Nishimura, A., Koyama, M., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1992) Tephras of the Izu-Bonin forearc (Sites 787, 792, and 793)
  • In Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., et al., Proc. ODP, Sci. Results, 126: College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling program)
• • Rodolfo, K.S., Arguden, A.T., & Solidum, R.U., (1992) Textural characteristics of Oligocene submarine debris flows, Sites 792 and 793
  • In Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., et al., Proc. ODP, Sci. Results, 126
• • Rodolfo, K. S., Solidum, R. U., Nishimura, A., Matsuo, Y., & Fujioka, K., (1992) Major-oxide stratigraphy of glass shards in volcanic ash layers of the Izu-Bonin arc-backarc sites (Sites 788/789 and 790/791)
  • In Taylor, B., Fujioka, K., et al., Proc. ODP, Sci. Results, 126: College Station, TX
• • Rodolfo, K.S., & Umbal, J.V., (1992) Catastrophic lahars on the western flanks of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines
  • Proceedings of the Workshop on Effects of Global Climate change on Hydrology and Water Resources at the Catchment Scale
• • Janda, R.J., Daag, A.S., delos Reyes, P.J., Newhall, C.G., Pierson, T.C., Punongbayan, R.S., Rodolfo, K.S., Solidum, R.U., & Umbal, J.V., (1996) Assessment and response to lahar hazard around Mount Pinatubo, 1991-1993
  • In C.G. Newhall & R.S. Punongbayan, eds., Fire and Mud: Eruptions and Lahars of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, University of Washington Press, Seattle
• • Paladio-Melosantos, M.L.O., Solidum, R.U., Scott, W.E., Quiambao, R.B., Umbal, J.V., Rodolfo, K.S., Tubianosa, B.S., Delos Reyes, P.J., Alonso, R.A., & Ruelo, H.B., (1996) Tephra falls of the 1991 eruptions of Mount Pinatubo
  • In C.G. Newhall and R.S. Punongbayan, eds., Fire and Mud: University of Washington Press, Seattle
• • Rodolfo, K.S., Umbal, J.V, Alonso, R.A., Remotigue, M.C., Paladio, M.L., Salvador, J.H.G., Evangelista, D., & Miller, Y., (1996) Two years of lahars on the western flank of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines: Initiation, flow processes, deposits, and attendant geomorphic and hydraulic changes
  • In C.G. Newhall and R.S. Punongbayan, eds., Fire and Mud: University of Washington Press, Seattle
• • Umbal, J.V., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1996) The 1991 lahars of southwestern Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, and the evolution of a lahar-dammed lake
  • In C.G. Newhall and R.S. Punongbayan, eds., Fire and Mud: University of Washington Press, Seattle
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (1996) Mount Pinatubo lahars: scientific “givens”, and some political and socio-economic consequences
  • Proceedings of the International Symposium On Disasters and Health, Manila
• • Rodolfo, K.S., Tamayo, R.A., Remotigue, C.T., & Cagas, J.A., (1996) Geological reasons for breaching of the “Transverse Dike”, Pasig-Potrero “Megadike” system, Pampanga
  • Proceedings of the 1996 Convention, Geological Society of the Philippines
• • Crittenden, K.S. Lamug, C.B., Nelson, G.L.M., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1996) Living with lahars: Unplanned socioeconomic uses of natural hazard mitigation structures on the Pasig-Potrero River
  • Proceedings of the 1996 Convention, Geological Society of the Philippines
• • Agapay, N.C., Baesa, G.T., Digdigan, A.G., Rivera, R.L., & Rodolfo, K.S., (1997) Major reorganization of the Pasig-Potrero lahar channel, and hazard implications for Pampanga towns
  • Proceedings of the 1997 Annual Convention of the Geological Society of the Philippines
• • Cabato, J., Rodolfo, K., Siringan, F., Valencia, T., Natividad, J., & Bravo, A., (1997) High-resolution seismic and synthetic-aperture radar data indicate faults in Subic Bay, Zambales
  • Proceedings of the 1997 Annual Convention of the Geological Society of the Philippines 
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (2000) The hazard from lahars and jökulhlaups
  • Encyclopedia of Volcanoes: Academic Press, Philadelphia
• • Almasco, J.N., Rodolfo, K., Fuller, M., & Frost, G., (2000) Paleomagnetism of Palawan, Philippines
  • Journal of Asian Earth Sciences Volume 18
• • Siringan, F. P., Maeda, Y., Rodolfo, K.S., Nakamura, T., & Omura, A., (2000) Short-Term and Long-Term Changes of Sea Level in the Philippine Islands
  • Proceedings of the APN/SURVAS/LOICZ Joint Conference on Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation in the Asia-Pacific Region, Kobe, Japan
• • Siringan, F.P., Maeda, Y., & Rodolfo, K.S., (2001) Short-term and long-term changes of sea level in the Philippine Islands
  • In Mimura and Yokoki (eds): Global Change and Asia Pacific Coasts: Proceedings of APN/SURVAS/LOICZ Joint Conference on Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation in the Asia-Pacific Region
• • Crittenden, K.S., & Rodolfo, K.S., (2002) Bacolor Town and Pinatubo Volcano, Philippines: Coping with Recurrent Lahar Disaster: The Archaeology of Natural Disasters
  • Robin Torrence and John Grattan, eds. One World Archaeology Series, Routledge, London
• • Rodolfo, K.S., & Crittenden, K.S., (2002) Environmental consequences of lahars, subsidence, and human behavior in Bacolor, Pampanga
  • Philippine Sociological Review Volume 30
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (2003) Tsunamiites and seismites
  • McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 2003 Yearbook
• • Gaillard, J-C., Delfin, F.G., Jr., Ramos, E.G., Paz, V.J., Siringan, F.P., Rodolfo, K.S., Soria, J.L.S., Remotigue, C.T., Umbal, J.V., & Dizon, E.Z., (2003) Socio-economic impact of the c. 800-500 yr BP. eruption of Mt. Pinatubo (Philippines): Hypotheses from the archaeological and geographical records
  • Proceedings of the Society of Philippine Archaeologists Volume 2
• • Rodolfo, K.S., Siringan, F.P., Remotigue, C.T., & Lamug, C.B., (2003) Worsening floods around northern Manila Bay, Philippines: Research-based analysis from physical and social science perspectives
  • Philippine Sociological Review Volume 51
• • Siringan, F.P., & Rodolfo, K.S., (2003) Relative seas level changes and worsening floods in the western Pampanga Delta: Causes and some possible mitigation measures
  • Science Diliman Volume 15
• • Cabato, M.E.J.A., Rodolfo, K.S., & Siringan, F.P., (2005) History of sedimentary infilling and faulting in Subic Bay, Philippines revealed in high-resolution seismic reflection profiles
  • Journal of Asian Earth Sciences Volume 25
• • Gaillard, J.-C.,  Delfin, F.G., Jr., Dizon, E.Z., Larkin, J.A., Paz, V.J., Ramos, E.G., Remotigue, C.T.,Rodolfo, K.S., Siringan, F.P., Soria, J.L.S., & Umbal, J.V., (2005) Dimension anthropique de 'éruption du Mont Pinatubo, Philippines, entre 800 et 500 ans BP
  • L’Anthropologie Volume 109, No. 2
• • Soria, J.L.A, Siringan, F.P., & Rodolfo, K.S., (2005) Compaction rates and paleo-sea levels along the delta complex north of Manila Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines
  • Science Diliman  Volume 17, No. 2
• • Rodolfo, K.S., & Siringan, F.P., (2006) Global sea-level rise is recognised, but flooding from anthropogenic land subsidence is ignored around northern Manila Bay, Philippines
  • Disasters Volume 30, No. 1
• • Gaillard, J.-C., Delfin, F.G., Dizon, E.Z., Paz, V.J., Ramos, E.G., Remotiogue, C.T., Rodolfo, K.S., Siringan, F.P., Soria, J.L.A., & Umbal, J.V., (2007) Planning for the future: A multidisciplinary approach to reconstructing the Buag episode of of Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines
  • In J. Grattan and R. Torrence, eds., Living Under the Shadow: Cultural Impacts of Volcanic Eruptions. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, California
• • Lagmay, A.M.F., Rodolfo, K.S., Siringan, F.P., Uy, H., Remotigue, C., Zamora, P., Lapus, M., Rodolfo, R., & Ong, J., (2007) Geology and hazard implications of the Maraunot notch in the Pinatubo Caldera, Philippines
  • Bulletin of Volcanology Volume 69, No. 7
• • Rodolfo, K.S., & Umbal, J.V., (2008) A prehistoric lahar-dammed lake and eruption of Mount Pinatubo described in a Philippine aborigine legend
  • Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research Volume 176
• • Rodolfo, K.S., (2008) "Peak Oil”: The global crisis of diminishing petroleum supply, and its implications for the Philippines
  • Asian Studies Volume 41
• • Paguican, E.M.R., Lagmay, A.M.F., Rodolfo, K.S., Rodolfo, R.S., Tengonciang, A.M.P., Lapus, M.R., Baliatan, E.G., & Obille, E.C., (2008) Extreme rainfall-induced lahars and dike breaching at Mayon Volcano, Philippines, 30 November 2006
  • Proceedings of the Iceland meeting, International Assembly on Volcanoes and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior
• • Paguican, E.M.R., Lagmay, A.M.F., Rodolfo, K.S., Rodolfo, R.S., Tengonciang, A.M.P., Lapus, M.R., Baliatan, E.G., & Obille, E.C., (2009) Extreme rainfall-induced lahars and dike breaching, 30 November 2006, Mayon Volcano, Philippines
  • Bulletin of Volcanology Volume 71

Awards:

• • Balik Scientist Awardee, Department of Science and Technology, 2008
• • Grant, GA-1072, Martaban Submarine Canyon, NE Indian Ocean, National Science Foundation, 1967-1969
• • Grant, GA-12483, supplement to NSF GA-1072, National Science Foundation, 1969-1970
• • GA-27111, Suspended Sediments off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, National Science Foundation, 1970-1971
• • GA-28904, Suspended sediments off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, National Science Foundation, 1971-1972
• • Outstanding Filipino in the Midwest in the Field of Education, Cavite Association of America, 1984
• • UIC Teaching Excellence Award, College of Liberal Art and Scieces, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1989
• • UIC Curriculum Development Grant, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1981
• • U.P. Alumni Association Professional Award in Geology, UP Alumni Association, 1997