Question: how do you work on an active volcano

Kate Dobson answered on 8 Nov 2014:

It kind of depends on what you do.

If like me you are collecting samples to work on them back inthe lab, you tend to spend a few days or maybe a few weeks at the volcano at a time, collecting samples, recording the locations and other information. You actually do the detailed work on the minerals or structure or behaviour back at home in the laboratory.

Other people spend their time at the volcano instaling or fixing remote sensing equipment that can monitor things like gas emissions, ground deformation and motion, temperature, or seismic activity for weeks or months at a time. These stations then transmit the information back to the observatory or your laboratory once you have gone home.

Fieldwork can be hard, carrying large heavy rucksacks, camping in the middle of nowhere with no facilities (camp cooking can get very boring when you have to pack everything in and everything out including your water). But is often the only way you can get the the best places to collect samples.

The thing you always have to remember is that if you are stupid you can have a major problem. You need to treat the mountain (which just happens to be a volcano as well) with respect. You have to be careful and think things through. You don’t wank across recent lava (if it glows, glow round), you don’t try and climb cliffs or unstable ground, you make sure everyone knows where everyone is. You have to make sure you have enough water, and if you need a gas mask (some of the volcanic fumes are very acidic and aren’t good for you lungs).

But if you’re careful it’s usually safe. I’ve never been really scared, but there have bee some tense moments.