March 2013

GWB vs. the Volcano

The word volcano is derived from "Vulcano", the name of a volcanic island in the Aeolian Islands of Italy whose name in turn originates from "Vulcan", the Roman God of Fire.

When we think of volcanoes, most of us think of Mount Vesuvius, or Krakatoa, or Mount St. Helens. We imagine monstrous, sleeping giants bubbling with hot magma and ash. And yet there are many types of volcanoes, including ice volcanoes (located on some of moons of Saturn and Jupiter) and mud volcanoes (like those in Azerbaijan). There are thought to be over 1500 volcanoes around the world, not including more than 600 underwater. One of earth's most beautiful and terrifying wonders, they inspire awe and wonder among us all.

Geoscientists Without Borders^® is proud to announce the funding of our first "Volcano Project"! Led by a team from the Open University in the United Kingdom, this project will focus on the advancing the scientific understanding of volcanic degassing and the risks to the region, while increasing the capabilities of communities in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The work is carried out at Turrialba (Costa Rica) and Masaya (Nicaragua), whose ongoing activity represents a health and economic threat to the local population.  

Volcanic degassing is an unspectacular but major hazard to communities at persistently active volcanoes. Continued long-term exposure to the primary volcanic gases can result in a range of chronic ailments, reduced agricultural output and acidification of rain and groundwater that contaminates water supplies, indirect effects are thought to impede development and poverty reduction efforts. Congratulations to Open University!

Learn more about this exciting new project and all of the GWB projects at www.seg.org/gwb.