How to become A Volcanologist

“The most fertile lands were built by the fiercest fires of volcanoes.” Volcanologists attempt to decipher the clues volcanic rocks offer about the visceral functions and chemistry of the earth. They study the remains of dead or dormant volcanoes while keeping track of active or reawakening volcanoes.

• Igneous Petrologist

What do Volcanologists do?

A Volcanologist would typically need to:

• Understand how and why volcanoes erupt, how to predict future eruptions, their impact on the history of our Earth, and how they may affect humans and their environment
• Plan and conduct field studies; collect and analyze debris, rock, and other material from extinct volcanoes; study active and inactive volcanoes
• Travel across the globe to collect samples from volcanoes; perform chemical and dating analysis on models to predict where and how volcanoes are most likely to erupt
• Examine the processes and deposits of volcanic eruptions; analyze mineral elements from rock formations; investigate the movement of the elements into our soil and water systems
• Take photographs of eruptions, record vibrations in the ground, and collect samples of red-hot lava or falling ash
• Map the location of volcanoes and the distribution of volcanic rocks; study aerial photographs, drilling logs, and other interdisciplinary data sets to prepare scientific reports
• Measure volcanic seismicity, gravity, and magnetics; study changes in the shape of the earth and correlate with deformation of the ground at a volcanic eruption site
• Simulate volcanic activity in a laboratory environment; inform the government and general population of possible eruptions; advise the government in case of volcanic ashfall
• Present their findings to external stakeholders and colleagues; review research done by other scientists; interpret and publish results in a way that is easy for the general public to understand
• Apply for funding; keep abreast of latest technological advances in GPS surveying and other measuring techniques

The work of Volcanologists is fascinating and interactive. Volcanoes are found worldwide, in all kinds of terrestrial and marine environments, from the equatorial climate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the icy regions of Antarctica.

Work can take Volcanologists hiking through mountains in all kinds of weather to reach the mouth of extinct or dormant volcanoes. It is standard practice to spend a quarter of the year living in a tent while conducting fieldwork.

The rest of the time is spent in the lab or an office, analyzing data and filling in funding requests. Volcanologists in the field may need to wear specially designed protective clothing. Work in labs may entail wearing white coats and donning protective gear for the eyes and nose, while work in an office environment usually means business casual attire.

The weather dictates a Volcanologist’s work hours in the field. In good weather, they can put in ten-hour days. Work in a lab or office also requires nine to ten hours.

Academic jobs are very few and hard to get. Most academic positions are in related fields, specializing in volcanology.

Volcanologists are generally employed by:

• Government Agencies
• Universities
• Museums
• Private Enterprises

Professional associations and organizations like the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) are a crucial resource for Volcanologists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Volcanologist.

• Living outdoors in all sorts of weather for at least a quarter of the year
• Significant time spent bent over a microscope or at a computer in the lab or office
• Frequent travel chasing volcanic eruptions
• The pressure to correctly predict the next volcanic eruption
• Sizzling heat, shaky ground, and loud noises in the vicinity of an active volcano
• The need to remain on the lookout for flying rocks and lava flows during a volcanic eruption

Field and lab experience are helpful. Some colleges offer internships or summer field camp programs that allow students to work onsite with professors and gain expertise in data collection and geologic mapping.

There are very few universities that offer degrees in volcanology. Experts recommend that aspirant Volcanologists major in geology, earth science, chemistry, or physics. Courses in geomorphology, geophysics, geochemistry, petrology, structural geology, sedimentary geology, and remote sensing prove helpful.

Most Volcanologists have an advanced degree, either a master of science or a doctorate (PhD). Positions in an academic or research setting usually require a PhD.

Computer knowledge is essential due to high-tech computer modeling, data analysis, and digital mapping. Some Volcanologists say they are as much “IT specialists” as geoscientists, because of the diverse range of software they work with.

Volcanologists who predict eruptions may need a special license. Voluntary certification from an objective and reputed organization can help you gain professional credibility, validate your knowledge, and increase your work confidence.

Career progression is driven by performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications. Employees who have consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Most Volcanologists research while lecturing at university. With experience, you can start supervising PhD and postdoctoral students and fellows and get involved in administering a department of earth sciences. You can also apply for a managerial position, leading a team of scientists on volcanic expeditions as well as conducting staff training programs.

In most places, acquiring an MSc or PhD with a specialization in geomorphology, geophysics, or geochemistry will help aspirant Volcanologists get the job they want.

Continuing professional development is the holistic commitment of professionals towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a whole host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help Volcanologists in the field.

CPD allows Volcanologists to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated, enables you to identify any knowledge gaps, and allows you to progress to a new specialism.

Facts and Figures

Volcanoes come into being because of fissures in the earth's crust, from which magma, gases, rocks, and ashes can erupt. There are about 1500 potentially active volcanoes around the world. Like Etna and Stromboli in Italy, some have been in continuous eruption for more than 2,000 years. Three hundred sixty volcanoes exploded in the 20th century, one of the most famous being Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.

Specialization

There are four significant types of Volcanologists: Physical Volcanologists study and gather data on the actual processes and deposits of volcanic eruptions. Geophysicists deal with volcanic seismicity, gravity, and magnetics; they spend time outdoors studying various geological features, or indoors using computers for calculations and modeling. Geodesic Volcanologists study dead or dormant volcanoes to figure out how explosions and lava flow produce new and different earth formations. Geochemists analyze the structure, composition, and processes that make up the earth and volcanic products, and the distribution of chemical elements in rocks and minerals.

The Ground Reality

While many may think that a Volcanologist’s work consists solely of the exciting, adventurous work performed close to an erupting volcano crater, they would be wrong. Most Volcanologists study the remains of either dead or dormant volcanoes or those that may be active or “reawakening.”

Leveraging Technology

Volcanologists use robots to reach areas that are too dangerous for humans. They fly past volcanoes in planes or use satellites to look at them from space for any changes or signs when they might erupt next.

Armor of the 21st Century

Volcanologists wear protective suits with a metal coating that reflects the volcano’s heat, leaving the person inside cool. The suit can resist temperatures of up to 3,000°F (1,650°C). Heatproof boots help them walk across the red-hot lava while gas masks connected to air tanks allow them to breathe when the air around them is full of poisonous gas.

Volcanologists wear gloves made of asbestos, an insulating material that blocks heat, to pick up red-hot lava. They also wear hard hats, which protect against volcanic “bombs,” chunks of rock that shoot out of the volcano.

Tools and Techniques of the Trade

A special set of tools is needed to study volcanoes. It includes a magnifying glass that Volcanologists use to see the fine details in volcanic rocks. Seismometers detect and record volcanic activity.

Electronic tiltmeters and satellite photography to assess ground deformation, instruments to determine the amount of lava generated, and GPS form part of the tool kit. Volcanologists use the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) to measure eruptions.

Trivia

The term “volcano” derives from the Latin word “Vulcan.” According to Greek and Roman mythology, Vulcan was the blacksmith of the Roman gods, and the word “volcano” honors and represents this Roman “God of Fire.”

Hot lava fragments and dust clouds erupting from Vulcano’s island in the Mediterranean Sea were believed to be Vulcan’s forge beating out thunderbolts for other gods. Ancient Greeks also believed in a god of fire that lived beneath this volcanic mountain known as Mt. Etna.

During the Middle Ages, many people thought volcanoes were the entrance to the fiery underworld.

The higher a volcano reaches into the sky, the more forceful its eruptions may become.

Types of Volcanoes

There are mainly three types of volcanoes. Shield volcanoes, usually non-explosive, have a low viscosity lava flow that runs wide, creating a shield shape with smooth sloping flanks, built by numerous layers over time. Stratovolcanoes or composite volcanoes can erupt explosively, reaching high in the sky and spewing dangerous ash, rocks, and lava. Cinder cones, smaller in size, and with short-lived eruptions, are most common. They rarely reach 300 meters in height, have steep sides, grow rapidly, usually from a single eruption cycle, and typically have a crater at the summit.

Pumice & Obsidian - Useful Volcanic Products

A pumice stone is a light-colored frothy volcanic rock that floats on water and it evolves from gas-filled lava. As the ejected lava shoots through the air during an eruption, it cools down. The gases that escape leave behind a porous rock that is ground up for use in soaps, abrasive cleaners, and polishes.

Obsidian, a glossy, natural volcanic glass, is produced when lava cools too quickly for crystals to form. The process is similar to glass manufacturing in factories, in which silica rocks like sand and quartz are melted and rapidly cooled in water. Usually black or very dark green, but also found in an almost transparent state, obsidian was used to make ancient cutting tools as well as weapons such as arrowheads, knives, and spearheads. In modern times, doctors use it as a scalpel to perform highly sensitive eye surgery.

There are about 2,000 Volcanologists globally, and there could be up to 20 of the world’s 1,500 volcanoes erupting each day.

It is not your typical career where the tasks and days might duplicate themselves in some form. There are days when Volcanologists watch volcanoes erupt, days when they are buried under paperwork at the office, days when they fly off in a helicopter to install instruments, and days when they attend scientific conferences. A word of caution, however - Volcanologists are self-professed workaholics. The earth is continually changing - it will keep you mesmerized as you try to demystify its past activities and predict its likely future.

The job of a Volcanologist is fraught with danger. Due to the unpredictability and threat of volcanoes, risk assessments and safe practices are of paramount importance.