Ellen Gottschämmer

Dr. Ellen Gottschämmer is a geophysicist who served as Senior Lecturer and researcher at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology's Geophysical Institute (GPI) until April 2022, now working in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Her roles included Department Manager, Head of Study Program Management for ETIT and MACH programs, and founder of KIT's Geophysics school lab in 2012. She actively contributed to academic governance through the Faculty Council, Examination Committee, and German Geophysical Society's Executive Board.

Her research focuses on Volcano Seismology and Earthquake Seismology, specializing in seismic hazard assessment through field-based methodologies. She pioneered "in-situ lecturing" techniques conducting geophysical field exercises across global locations including Guatemala's Santiaguito volcano, Indonesia, the Black Forest, Eifel region, and Mediterranean volcanoes. Her work integrates seismic, infrasound, and thermal monitoring to analyze volcanic processes and associated hazards, with particular emphasis on eruption dynamics and long-term activity patterns.

Recent publications (2019-2021) demonstrate concentrated research on Santiaguito volcano, examining seismic tremor mechanisms, open-vent activity transitions, and explosion characteristics using multi-parameter monitoring. These studies reveal evolving eruption styles and precursory patterns critical for hazard assessment, often resulting from international collaborations with institutions in Guatemala and Indonesia. Her methodology emphasizes practical field data integration with classroom instruction.

Dr. Gottschämmer developed comprehensive geophysics curricula including Introduction to Geophysics, Geological Hazards, and specialized field courses. She supervised student research through geophysical laboratory exercises and international field schools, while managing study program accreditation and module coordination. Her administrative leadership extended to chairing the Committee for Academic Studies at the German Geophysical Society.

She founded KIT's Geophysics school lab in 2012, creating a dedicated space for hands-on geophysical education. This facility supports her innovative teaching approach through practical instrumentation training and serves as the operational base for international field expeditions to volcanic regions worldwide, fostering direct student engagement with active geohazards.