Field Methods in Volcanology
Since 1990, the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) has offered a six-week summer International Training Course in Volcano Hazards Monitoring to scientists and technicians from developing countries with active volcanoes. Scientists from 25 countries, including Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Cameroon, have learned how to interpret seismograms, analyze fumarole gases, and conduct precise leveling surveys through this training course. CSAV now offers a similar training program--a field camp in Hawaii--that provides a basic introduction to field methods in volcano monitoring for university-level students within countries such as the United States, Canada, and Europe. Students are housed at Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) on the rim of Kilauea Caldera, photographed below by Gino Valeriani.
Geology 471, Field Methods in Volcanology, is a three-week, three-credit general course, held in late July and early August. Many students who have attended this course have gone on to exciting careers; visit our Alumni section for updates.
For 2008, the dates of the course will be July 21 - August 8.
This program differs from traditional summer geology field camps, which run for several weeks, provide six credits, and involve extensive mapping and structural interpretation. The CSAV course gives students a chance to work with the instruments a volcanologist uses, collect data on an active volcano, and interpret the results. Traditional field camps are conducted almost entirely in the field. But for Geology 471, roughly half the course is taught indoors, either in a lab or classroom.
Course Topics
There are five sections to the course, described below. Each section includes a short video clip. If the clip doesn't play, you need to download Quicktime.
1. Physical Volcanology
In Physical Volcanology, students visit active lava flows (eruption permitting) to analyze flow characteristics, and evaluate geomorphological characteristics of volcanic features on both Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Protective gear is worn to study the viscosity of molten pahoehoe lava.
Physical Volcanology video clip.View text.
2. Gas Geochemistry
For Gas Geochemistry, students learn about the compositions of volcanic gases and sampling techniques; field work includes radon sampling on Mauna Loa and collecting gases from Sulphur Banks fumarole and vents near Halemaumau; gases are then analyzed in the lab using both wet chemical and gas chromatagraphic methods.
Gas samples are analyzed in the UH Hilo geochemistry lab.
Gas Geochemistry video clip. View text.
3. Ground Deformation
For Ground Deformation Monitoring, students learn theory and techniques, and then go into the field to practice with the NAK-2 precise leveling gun, EDM, and GPS.
Brian Hale reads a Total Field Station in the Kau Desert.
Deformation video clip. View text.
4. Seismology
In Seismology, students learn the basic theories of seismic signal generation and propagation, view current records from local seismic stations, and set up a seismic station in the field. Back in the lab, students analyze the seismic records to determine magnitude, location, and nature of the quakes.
Installing a seismometer and telemetry station.
Seismology video clip. View text.
5. Case Studies
For Case Studies, students evaluate the application of techniques they have learned to real-world volcanic crisis situations, such as Pinatubo or Nevada del Ruiz. Students break into small groups of three or four and work together, gathering information from the UH-Hilo library and the Internet. On the last Friday morning of class, the group presents oral reports on the case studies, at KOEC. Each student receives a grade based on this oral report and on a two-hour comprehensive final exam taken the last Thursday afternoon of the class.
Costs
Tuition and fees for this summer program are $1,750.00. This includes housing, ground transportation, and course materials. The cost of food is not included.
Logistics
Students enrolled in the course will be staying in dormitory rooms at Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 30 miles away from the city of Hilo and a mile from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Food may be purchased at the KMC store and cafeteria, and there is a laundromat. Students also may purchase food from grocery stores in Hilo, and prepare meals at KOEC.
Transportation from Hilo airport to KMC will be provided on Sunday afternoon, one day before the course starts. After the course is over, transportation back to the airport will also be available.
There are five days of instruction each week. For the two Saturdays that fall in the middle of the course, we provide field trips to some of the spectacular beaches and waterfalls on the Big Island. For the two Sundays that fall in the middle of the course, no activities or transportation will be provided. Students may rest, go hiking in the National Park, visit a local Farmer's Market, or prepare Case Studies reports at KMC.
Classroom instruction will be based out of Keakealani Outdoor Education Center (KOEC) in Volcano Village. View photos of the KOEC facilities and the CSAV vans. Enjoy reviews from past participants. Download a syllabus.
The 1998 participants complete the installation of a GPS receiver adjacent to the eruption site.
Roughly half of the course is spent indoors with labs, lectures, and demonstrations.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites are previous university-level coursework in geology, mathematics, and natural sciences.
Rigorous field work is an integral part of the course. If you are not certain that you can hike three to five miles a day for several days running, under demanding field conditions ranging from hot to rainy, then this may not be the appropriate course for you.
How to Apply
To apply for this Field Camp, fill out the PDF Application Form, and return it to us along with a letter describing why you would like to attend, and a transcript indicating you have adequate background for the course. These materials are due in the CSAV office on or before March 1st.
You will be notified in mid-March as to whether you have been accepted or not, via your e-mail address. At that time, we will also send information concerning logistics, what to bring, and details of the schedule to persons who have been accepted.
Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes
University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 West Kawili Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4091
phone: (808) 974-7631
fax: (808)
974-7677
e-mail: csav (at) hawaii.edu (Note: this email address is non-clickable in an effort to reduce the amount of unsolicited email sent to CSAV.)
Stay Longer!
Johanne PedersenMost of the students who attend Geol 471 say that they wish it could be longer, and they want more time in Hawaii. In 2006, Johanne Pedersen came up with a brilliant solution: Enroll at UH-Hilo for the fall semester that immediately follows Field Camp! The credits from the geology classes she takes at UHH easily transfer to her university back home. Visit our Geology web site to see details about the program!