UC Geology Students Get Jump Start on School Year
New Volcano Course Puts Them on the Summit of Kilaueau

The University of Cincinnati doesn't begin Fall Quarter classes until Sept. 25th, but several geology students couldn't wait to begin their studies this year. They're in Hawaii for one week as part of a special course on volcanoes.

The course was organized by Professor Attila Kilinc, department head in geology and a researcher who has studied earthquakes and volcanoes around the world. Kilinc was able to arrange a special tour of the Hawaii Volcano Observatory.

The students not only got to watch how the scientists monitor the ongoing eruption of the Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, they got a special lesson from Scientist-in-charge Don Swanson.

Swanson is seen here with the Halemaumau Crater in the background. This was the first field trip ever organized at UC to see an erupting volcano in action.

"Students will, for the first time, see an erupting volcano and lava lake at a close distance. This is an experience they will not forget for the rest of their lives," said Kilinc. "But most importantly, they will learn how scientific research is carried out in volcanology.

Those interested in carrying out additional research will collect samples from the volcanoes and study them in Kilinc's UC laboratories after they return from this trip. Here, Kilinc is seen explaining how to sample volcanic rocks at the Kilauea Iki, Lava Lake in the Kilauea Caldera.

Following the Big Island trip, UC graduate student Keri Craven will head to Maui to conduct additional research on how volcanoes like those in Hawaii's island chain age. She will be assisted by UC alumna Tammie Gerke and UC geology undergraduate Lisa Fay.

UC photojournalists Lisa Ventre and Colleen Kelley accompanied the geologists and brought back images and video from both the Big Island and Maui.

Links to all stories can be found at www.uc.edu/news/volcano.htm