2024 Volcano Camp

Monday: We played petrographic microscope bingo! We learned how to identify quartz, plagioclase, biotite and amphibole using petrographic and binocular microscopes. Each student picked out a crystal of plagioclase or quartz to analyze later in the week.

Tuesday: Time for kitchen volcanoes! We learned about how important BUBBLES are for driving volcanic eruptions. We also measured the viscosity of some lava analogs (honey, oil and water) and we thought about the effects of viscosity on eruptive style and volcano shape.

In the afternoon we learned about volcanoes in space and we heard from a panel of several Geology undergraduate and graduate students about their pathways to Geology.

Wednesday: We were so lucky to get to spend a day at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History! Dr. Ben Andrews took us on a tour of the 'secret' collections in the Department of Mineral Sciences. We got to hear some amazing stories about rocks that inflate like bread (called breadcrust bombs) and a special type of sandstone that is bendy! 

Thursday: The students performed a miracle on Thursday. In the morning, each student successfully polished a tiny crystal (each less than 1 mm across) on TWO sides. In the afternoon, we analyzed all of the crystals by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to measure their water concentrations. Thanks to massive efforts by the students, Sumedha and Kate, there were no crystal fatalities and EVERYONE got results!

Friday: On Friday morning, the students processed their data. They calculated how much water was dissolved in each crystal, and from that they calculated the water dissolved in the magma and the storage depth of the magma just before it erupted! They shared their results in amazing presentations that you can see below.

On Friday afternoon, we went on a tour of Geology labs. Thanks to James Farquhar, Mojhgan Haghnegahdar, Mong-Han Huang, Rich Walker and Lori Willhite for showing us your awesome labs!