National Park Service honors U. professor

JACKSON, Wyo. — The National Park Service has honored a University of Utah professor with its annual natural resource research award.

Robert Smith, a Jackson Hole geophysicist, is a founder of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, a network of 26 seismographs that monitor Yellowstone for earthquakes.

Grand Teton National Park superintendent Mary Gibson Scott presented Smith with the award at an employee gathering Thursday.

"Dr. Smith demonstrates outstanding leadership in his field and supplies invaluable scientific information to help our staff and visitors understand the physical forces that influence the landscapes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond," Scott said.

Smith's research has shown that the Yellowstone Caldera has been rising by several centimeters per year. He also has shown that the Jackson Hole valley floor is rising relative to the Teton Range.

In late December and early January, Smith was among those who closely monitored a swarm of about 1,000 small earthquakes beneath Yellowstone Lake. It was Yellowstone's most intense quake swarm since 1985.

The quakes tapered off after a week.

Smith said the Park Service has supported his efforts. He said 25 of his graduate students have worked on research projects in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

"As a whole, it's been a great educational experience as well as a great personal experience," he said.