Volcanologist Interview Question:

Tell me how did you get started in volcanology? What was it about studying volcanoes that drew you to the field?

Submitted by: Muhammad

I always knew I wanted to be a scientist in Hawai`i, but I didn't know what kind until college. My high school only offered physics, biology, and chemistry and I started college thinking I wanted to be an oceanographer. The college required a year each of physics, biology, chemistry, AND geology before taking any oceanography courses. I took geology first and liked it so well that I switched majors immediately. My post bachelor's degrees were in geophysics and my initial contact with volcanology was through the USGS applying various surface geophysical methods to study subsurface lava. That interest kind of morphed into general volcanology so that now I attempt integrated studies using geophysics (as well as geology) to study volcanological phenomena.
Submitted by: Muhammad