Friday, January 15, 2010

Volcanology

Volcanologists are geologists, who specialize in the study of volcanoes. A large part of their job is understanding what causes volcanoes erupt, how they erupt, and how volcanos' eruptions affect the life surrounding it.
Image: Buzzle.com
Volcanologist Job Description
I want to become a volcanologist because they get to work in the outdoors, usually a tropical climate, such as Hawaii. Also they can help save thousands of lives by alerting people about nearby volcano that is going to erupt. Also it seems like a fun job, that isn't too stressful or boring, which is a preference of mine.
A volcanologist recording the action of the churning lava lake on videotape - Image Coutesy of Stromboli Volcano's Online (http://www.educeth.ch/stromboli/index-en.html)

In order to become a volcanologist, you have to go through a lot of school, which is a slight downside to becoming a volcanologist, but it's worth it in the long run. Most volcanologists get a bachelor's degree in geology. You need to take numerous high level math courses, including, Calculus I, II and III, and differential equations. You also need to take physics courses, geology courses, geophysics, and
some biology courses. On top of

lockwood

that, if you want to be able to head, or lead experiments, you need a Ph.D. Even though you have to study all of those course/fields, you aren't just restricted to textbooks and the classroom. You can conduct research and gather data under an experienced volcanologist, while you're earning you're degree.

Volcanologists should be needed in the future, because, unless volcanos vanish from the face of the Earth, volcanologists will be needed.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/volcanologist-job-description.html

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/volcanologist/3.html

4 comments:

Katherine & Gabi said...

Volcanology seems like a very hands on field of science. Max, you mentioned that you think that being a volcanologist would not be too stressful but due to the list of all the degrees that you need to become one, it seems that it is pretty stressful. But i do agree that volcanology has a promising future because volcanoes do not seem to be going away.

EMeaghann said...

I have never heard of this study before and it seems very interesting. It is good to study this because people die from volcanoes, and like kitkatbar said they don't seem to be going away.

Soccer Stewy said...

I think volcanology sound great, but I think it would be stressful. If I had to try to predict when volcanos would erupt to prevent people from dying, I would be pretty stressed.

Anonymous said...

That's pretty cool how you want to be a volcanologist. I don't know if I could do it though because of all of the math involved. Just be careful when around the volcanoes! It seems like it could be pretty dangerous