Volcanologist
What is a Volcanologist?
The ground groans with a terrible tremble that crescendos underfoot. The sky quickly darkens, turning the bright day to bitter night. The wind screams and howls, carrying with it the foul stench of sulfur. As lightning flashes and ash and debris rain from the toxic clouds above, an orange glow interrupts the engulfing darkness—a fiery river of lava rapidly consuming everything in its path. This is the work of a volcanologist.
Volcanologists strive to understand the processes that make up volcanology. This encompasses volcanic activity, volcanic eruptions, the chemistry of volcanic material, past and future volcanic events, seismology, geodesy, and anything else that relates to volcanoes. Many volcanologists monitor volcanic activity, collecting data and constructing models from past or current eruptions to predict future events and mitigate damage and risk of harm. This job is crucial—according to the American Geosciences Institute, there are at least 54 active volcanoes that could potentially be major threats to public health and safety in the United States alone.
Like many of the other professions, volcanology falls under the broader category of geoscientists, who make an average yearly salary of about $99,240, or about $47.71 an hour, as of May 2024, with an estimated industry growth rate of about five percent from 2023 to 2033. Though entry-level jobs are attainable with just a bachelor's degree alone, a master's degree and beyond is what most volcanologists are expected to have. Most split their time in the field gathering data and in the lab measuring that data, and they often find themselves working for government agencies, research facilities, or in academia.
By helping our society to better understand how volcanoes work, you can make the world a better and safer place. Start your path to becoming a volcanologist today!
For More Information:
How to Become a Volcanologist | EnvironmentalScience.org
Geoscientists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Information About Volcanologists | U.S. Geological Survey
Global Volcanism Program | About GVP
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