Venture Grant: Hawaii: Volcanos
INTERNSHIP AT THE HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY (HVO)
(Venture Grant Proposal – 09/09/95)
The Big Island of Hawaii provides the unparalleled opportunity to study active volcanism in a controlled environment. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) takes advantage of this situation with constant observation, monitoring, and research on the nearly-continuous output of lava from Kiluaea and Mauna Loa-Volcanoes. As part of the HVO’s student volunteer program, I will be given the chance to take part in this ongoing research with Carl Thornber, the HVO’s Staff Geologist. My stay will extend from December 15, 1995 through March 24, 1996, and upon my return to CC, I will complete an independent senior project. I am specifically requesting Venture Grant funds to help subsidize my airfare and food expenses during this three month project (lodging is provided by the HVO).
The island of Hawaii is well known for its fiery display of lava. Still forming today, as – the result of a tectonic hot-spot, Hawaii is (and has been) the world’s most informative site for the study of fluid, non-explosive volcanism (basalt volcanism). I hope to be able, in working at the HVO, to gather first hand knowledge of this geologic phenomenon, and ultimately to add to the existing database of information. As a concluding part of my project, I will share my findings with the campus community in a seminar presentation at Geology Day and will also complete a short research paper summarizing my activities.
Interning at the HVO has many benefits in supporting both my academic course work and my own personal focus in geology/volcanology. Having already taken courses in volcanology and igneous petrology, working at the HVO will add the new dimension of practical field research. Further, I will gain information that will be helpful for my ongoing volcanology Keck project in the Oregon Cascades, and it will also give me great experience in preparing for graduate school. Because my specific project will be highly dependent on the current volcanic activity once I am at the HVO, I cannot give a detailed project description at this point. However, in talking with Carl Thornber, he has described numerous tasks which I will perform routinely during my internship. These include:
- Mapping new flows and monitoring their physical characteristics such as temperature, flow velocity, gas content, and chemical/mineral content.
- Monitoring seismic activity and ground tilting.
- Looking at flow development, which includes the formation of lava tube networks, tumuli blisters, pahoehoe sheet inflation, and any other surface features.
- Observing lava flow interaction with the ocean (dependent on current activity) including littoral cone formation, bench collapse, pillow basalt formation, and any phreatic activity.
- Mapping prehistoric lava flows and doing petrologic interpretations with them. Again I stress the fact that I will be completing my own independent research project, which I will design with Carl Thornber once in Hawaii.
The HVO requests that interns spend at least three months in Hawaii, for both logistical reasons and for the purpose of completing a worthwhile project. My entire stay will be spent working at the HVO, with vacationing not to be a part of my visit. (I feel the need to clarify this point, as a Venture Grant request to Hawaii might seem suspect!) The possibilities for this project are quite exciting for me as a student of geology, and the opportunity to interact with professionals active in my field of study would be a unique experience. I hope you will seriously consider my proposal for this highly worthwhile venture.
BUDGET
(From December 15, 1995 through March 24, 1996)
Airfare $603.67
Western Pacific Airlines from Colo Spgs to LA (round-trip) – $174.67
Aloha Airlines from LA to Hilo, HI (round-trip) -$429.00
Lodging (provided by the HVO)
Food Expenses $1188.00*
(December 15, 1995 – March 24, 1996 $12.00/day X 99 days)
Miscellaneous Expenses $300.00
(film and developing costs, mailing fees, telephone costs, laundry, and other living expenses)
TOTAL EXPENSES $2091.67
Venture Grant Funds (subsidizing travel and food expenses) – $850.00
Personal Funds $1241.67
* – In correspondence with Carl Thornber, he stated that food costs are very high in Hawaii, and to budget $12 – $15 per day for food.