Marta Lucía Calvache Velasco is a Colombian
geologist and
volcanologist, best known for her work on geological hazards and risk reduction in Colombia.
Education
Marta Lucía Calvache graduated in
geology from the
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota.[1] She then went on to study geothermal geology at the
University of Auckland, and was awarded a Diploma of Geothermal Technology in 1984, with a thesis on 'Evaluation of some aspects of A.R.A. drillhole No. 1, Parakai, New Zealand'.[2] In 1990, she completed a master's degree at
Louisiana State University, with a thesis on the geology and volcanology of
Galeras Volcano, Colombia.[3] In 1995, Calvache completed a PhD degree at
Arizona State University, where she worked with Stan Williams, with a thesis on the geological evolution of Galeras Volcanic complex.[4] She then continued to a post-doctoral position at the
University of Hokkaido, Japan.[1]
Career
Calvache began her career as a geologist with the Geothermal Division of the Colombian power company Central Hidroeléctrica de Caldas (CHEC). In 1985, she joined the team supporting the Committee for Volcanological Studies of the
Caldas Department, in response to the renewed volcanic activity at
Nevado del Ruiz Volcano. She played an important role in the lead up to and response to the subsequent tragedy, when the town of
Armero was overwhelmed by
lahars, triggered by the eruption of Nevado del Ruiz.[5][6] In 1986, she joined the
Colombian Geological Survey (SGC), then called
INGEOMINAS, where she remained for the rest of her career. In her work with the SGC, she was at times Geologist with the
Manizales Volcano Observatory, Director of the
Pasto Volcano Observatory and head of the volcanology section at SGC. She became Director of Geohazards for SGC in 2014. Over the course of her career, Calvache has published many scientific papers on the volcanology and volcanism of the active volcanoes of Colombia, including some notable papers on the volcanoes Galeras and Nevado del Ruiz.[7][8][9][10]
In January 1993, Calvache was involved in the rescue operation after the sudden and fatal explosion of Galeras volcano, Colombia, during a volcanological workshop.[11]
Calvache was awarded the
Krafft Medal of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of Earth's Interior in 2017, for her "outstanding contributions to volcanology through service to communities threatened by volcanic activity".[13]
Calvache has been widely recognised across Colombia for her work on risk reduction.[14] In 2022, she was awarded the Medal 'Orden de Combeima' by the municipality of
Ibagué,[15] and the Medalla Cacique Calarcá by the Governor of
Tolima Department.[16] In January 2023, Calvache was given
Honorary Member status of IAVCEI, at the Scientific Assembly in
Rotorua.[17]