Acquisition of a Thermal Camera for Volcano Hazard Research and Student Development

Michigan Technological University, Houghton MI

Investigators

Abstract

0732632 Patrick This grant support acquisition of a forward looking infrared radiometer (FLIR) for imaging surface temperatures of volcanic eruptive products. The FLIR will foster a diverse range of collaborative research using thermal methods to support a better understanding of effusive and explosive volcanic processes. Broader impacts include: 1) the utility of FLIR images for inferring volcanic edifice stability and potentially identifying eruption precursors; 2) the fostering of collaborative volcanological research between MTU faculty and researchers in the Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Ecuador, where target volcanoes will be studied; 3) PI plans to involve underrepresented undergraduate student interns from the University of Puerto Rico in field research; and 4) use of the FLIR camera by students in an ongoing MTU developed Peace Corps Master's International Program that embeds MTU Geology students at Latin American Volcano Observatories as a part of their program of study. ***