International Training
Hawaiian volcanoes are among the most active in the world, but unlike violently explosive volcanoes they can be approached and studied without significant risk. As a result, the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes provides the ideal environment in which to practice volcano monitoring techniques. When CSAV was first founded in 1989, one of its primary goals was to disseminate knowledge and techniques for forecasting volcanic eruptions to scientists from developing nations.
Since that time, over 100 geologists and civil workers from 25 countries, including the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Democratic Rebublic of Congo, and Peru have received training in volcano monitoring methods through CSAV. A gallery of former participants illustrates the array of scientists and technicians who have attended; the 2005 participants are pictured above.
The International Training Program is designed to assist developing nations in attaining self-sufficiency in monitoring volcanoes. The field training emphasizes volcano monitoring methods, both data collection and interpretation, currently in use by the U.S. Geological Survey; participants are taught the use and maintenance of volcano monitoring instruments. Besides learning to assess volcanic hazards, participants learn the interrelationship of scientists, governing officials, and the news media during volcanic crises.
The cost for the course is $2,000.00 US.
The dates of the course for 2008 will be May 26 - July 4.
To request an application package or for further information, please e-mail us at csav (at) hawaii.edu at your convenience. (Note: this email address is non-clickable in an effort to reduce the amount of unsolicited email sent to CSAV.) Applications for each summer's course must be received in the CSAV office by January 1 of the year applied for.
Download the pdf version of the International Application Form.
If you are interested in learning about volcanology, but are NOT a scientist or civil worker in a developing country with active volcanoes, you may be interested in attending a different course that CSAV offers. If you are a college student (or graduate) from a country such as the United States, Canada, or the UK, and have taken courses in earth and natural sciences, you may be interested in attending our Field Camp; visit our Field Methods in Volcanology page.
Written requests may be mailed to:
Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes
University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 West Kawili Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4091
TEL: (808) 974-7631
FAX: (808) 974-7677
Danny Hidayat from Indonesia levels a tribrach before surveying.
Virginia Tenorio of Nicaragua measures the height of a GPS receiver.
Eliecer Duarte from Costa Rica prepares to analyze Kilauea volcanic gas.
Luz "Luchy" Maria Perez Santa Ana from Mexico tests the viscosity of a pahoehoe flow near the ocean.
You missed out! The summer of 2007 was one of our best ever. Participants were Lesty Saquilon and Jerry Diolata of the Philippines, Joseph Wukawa of Papua New Guinea, Eduardo Gutierrez of El Salvador, and Marzia Santini of Italy. Photos below:
The 2007 group levels near Mauna Ulu.
Marzia Santini with NAK-2 gun.
Eduardo Gutierrez adjusts the level.
Diolata, Wukawa, and Saquilon take notes.
2006 participants were Lourdes Cacya from Peru; Carlos Ramirez from Costa Rica; Xu Jiandong from China; Valerio Lombardo and Claudia Spinetti from Italy; and Joao Figueiredo from Portugal. Enjoy the 2006 Gallery for images.
Participants in 2005 were Giuseppe Salerno and Letizia Spampinato from Italy; Benancio Henriquez and Fabio Alvarado from El Salvador; Edu Taipe and Patricia Marisol from Peru; Milena Berrocal from Costa Rica; Jose Palma from Chile; and Juan Carlos Gavilanes from Mexico. Visit the 2005 Gallery to see photos!
The 2005 group hikes to Pu'u O'o. Watch a short video. If you are unable to view the video, download QuickTime. View text.
During summer 2004, we enjoyed having nine International participants: three from Peru, two from Montserrat, and one each from Indonesia, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Papua New Guinea. Visit the 2004 Gallery to see photos!
During summer 2003, the CSAV International Training program was attended by 11 scientists, our largest group ever. The U.S. Geological Survey and the United Nations provided generous funding, and the group was able to attend the Cities on Volcanoes 3 conference during the last week of the course. Visit the 2003 Gallery to see highlights from the International Program, the Cities on Volcanoes Conference and other ventures. Look for more opportunities coming this summer.