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Mount St. Helens

In 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, temperatures exceeding ~1100 degrees F effectively sterilized the area near the crater. 
This one day field trip to Mount St. Helens will focus on scientific aspects of volcanism, biotic re-colonization of sterile terrain,
and extremophiles in hydrothermal systems.

Sanjoy and Darci (organizers) at the summit of Mt. Adams pointing to the GradCon fieldtrip!

What to pack: sturdy hiking boots, hiking socks, a small backpack, wind and water-proof jacket, water bottle, camera, sunglasses, sun screen, hat or bandana,  lip block, layer of clothing



Specific astrobiology related topics that will be discussed include:

1. The geomorphology of glacial deposits, debris avalanches, mud flows, and ash fall related to volcanism
2. Plant recovery in the region.  Large lupine mats which fix nitrogen through an association of bacteria on its roots have formed which add organic matter and nitrogen to volcanic pumice, paving the way for other plants species to follow.  
3. The survival and recovery of animal life. Studies indicate that aquatic life forms had a much higher survival rate compared to land based life forms due to the protection of water and ice.  Fish tended to survive in ice-covered lakes. Fish in uncovered lakes survived the initial blast but the deposition of large amounts of nutrients into the lakes led to the development of large microbial communities which tied up all available oxygen and killed the remaining fish.  The recovery from these anoxic conditions over a period of 5 years was studied in detail. 
   
4. High temperature microbial systems. Residual head from the lava down fuels mineral rich thermal springs and steam fumarols. The mineral rich, low oxygen, and high temperature are an extreme habitat for microbial life. At Mount St. Helens scientist have been able to study microbial species from inception and track their evolution along temperature and chemical gradients.  
5. Primitive bacteria and microbial mats.  Archaebacter are known to exist in the springs in the Mount St. Helens crater, these bacteria are only found in high-temperature nutrient rich environments.  Also, mats of thermophilic algae and filamentous bacteria exist in the
   
   warm springs in and around the crater. 
   

Scientific expertise will be provided by graduate students specializing in respective fields and by UW faculty.  The scientific permit required to access these areas will be obtained prior to the trip with the help of the UW Earth and Space Science department.  Participants in this trip will leave early in the morning on day 3 using University-owned vehicles; driving from Seattle to the Cispus Field Center in Randle, WA. Ascending into the crater is weather dependent; possible bad weather alternatives are a combination of the Johnson Ridge Observatory (located 5 miles from the mountain, with breathtaking views) and the Ape Caves system of lava tubes.

The crater hike involves a long, steep, and dusty hike, and requires a good level of physical fitness.