So You Want to be a Volcanologist Quiz

Answer: Geology

Volcanology falls under geology. Volcanologists study geophysics, geochemistry, geomorphology, sedimentary geology, structural geology, remote sensing, and petrology. They also may take classes in algebra, calculus, trigonometry, biology and Earth Science.

Seismologists study earthquakes, physical geographers study the natural environment of the earth and paleontologists study prehistoric life forms and fossils etc.

Answer: Iowa

Sicily has Mt. Etna, Japan has Mt. Fuji (which, though dormant for almost 300 years is still a volcano), and Antarctica has Mt. Erebus. There is actually an observatory on Mt. Erebus where students come for several weeks each year to study the volcano. Meanwhile saner students go to Ft. Lauderdale on their spring break.

Iowa has no known volcanoes, primarily because Iowa is pretty flat. Its highest part is Hawkeye Point at 1670 feet above sea level or about 200 feet above the surrounding elevation.

Answer: Pumice

Tephra refers to anything that is blown out of a volcano into the air. It includes ash, pumice, cinders, volcanic bombs and blocks. It is an old volcanologist gag to ask the new guy to go collect cow dung when they actually mean cow dung bombs--magma that hits the ground before it solidifies so it splats like cow dung. The old-timers always get a chuckle out of that one.

Answer: Measuring the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted

Other tools used by volcanologists include seismometers to measure underground disturbances, tilt instruments to measure changes in the ground and very low frequency sensors to detect and measure underground lava flow. They also use cameras to record volcanic activity and VFC's (very fast cars) to get away when the volcano erupts.

Answer: Louisiana Lava Lamp Outlet

In addition to the many Universities and Colleges that offer geology programs, the University of Hawaii, University of Alaska, University of Washington and Dartmouth all have volcanology courses and their students can study active volcanoes. Washington and California, along with Oregon, have state Geological Surveys.

Answer: Magma is found in the earth's crust, lava is above ground

Magma and lava are the same substance. When it is underground it is called magma. Magma is hotter than lava, is under more pressure (because it is confined underground), and contains gases and water. When it flows out through a vent in the volcano it is known as lava. Lava cools as it is exposed to outside air. It is no longer under pressure so the gases can escape and the water evaporates. Lava, being cooler, also moves more slowly than magma.

The stuff inside a lava lamp is actually wax. The wax is denser than room temperature water but less dense than heated water. A metal coil over a light bulb in the base of the lamp heats the water in the bottom of the glass. Wax on the bottom rises as the water heats because that water becomes denser than the wax. When it reaches the cooler, less dense water at the top the wax descends again.

Answer: Heat resistant gloves

Heat resistant gloves should be worn because everything around an erupting volcano is hot. Even the instruments a volcanologist uses will become hot to the touch. When in close proximity to an active volcano a gas mask is also necessary to protect against some of the noxious fumes that could be present.

Heat reflective jackets and protective hoods are worn when needed. At the very least, the volcanologist who wants to be safe wears a long-sleeved shirt, long pants of sturdy material, gloves and hiking boots.

Answer: World Organization of Volcano Observatories

According to their website (www.wovo.org), the mission of the World Organization of Volcano Observatories is:
"1. To stimulate communication and cooperation between observatories and institutions directly involved in volcano monitoring.
2. To develop and maintain volcano monitoring reference materials, including a directory of member observatories, their monitoring networks and staff.
3. Upon request, to help a member observatory to find temporary scientific reinforcement.
4. Refer governments, international organizations, and others seeking assistance in volcano monitoring to the appropriate member observatories."

None of the other choices exist.

Wissenschaft ost Vulcan Oberhausen is German for "science, east, volcano, Oberhausen (the German city.)"

Answer: They died when Mount Unzen erupted in Japan

The Kraffts were at the site of the eruption of Mount Unzen in Japan when a pyroclastic flow of lava and ash swept over the ridge they were standing on. In addition to the Kraffts, another volcanologist as well as 40 journalists who were filming the eruption were killed. Pyroclastic flows are nasty.

They can reportedly travel close to 200 meters per second and reach 1000 degrees Centigrade.

Answer: Drowning

People who study volcanoes usually carry a gas mask because some of the gases that are emitted during an eruption are poisonous. A volcano is a mountain and any time a mountain must be climbed there is a danger of slipping, falling and becoming injured.

When Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980, David A. Johnson, a volcanologist manning an observation post 6 miles from the volcano, was swept away by the blast and was never found. Drowning is not a typical hazard to volcanologists except at White Island, New Zealand.

The top of that volcano contains a bowl which has filled over the years with rain water to create a small lake. The water, however, contains high concentrations of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid from the volcano. Anyone who tried to swim there would have their skin, bathing suit and everything else dissolved by the acid.