home arrow-down arrow-up menu new-tab phone fax mail

Skip to content

The Center for Study of Active Volcanoes

International Training

Dates for the International Course in 2019

Sunday May 26 – Friday July 19
The first 6 weeks will be taught in Hawaiʻi, and the last 2 weeks will be taught at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, and will include field work on Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.

A group of CSAV particpants pose for a photo by the shorline
CSAV in Hawaiʻi
Mount St. Helens - photo by Joe Bard
CSAV camp near Mount St. Helens

The cost for this 8-week course is USD $5,000 (this cost includes housing). Participants need to provide their own airfare and food, in addition to the course fees.

To Apply: Download an Application Form; forms are due in the CSAV office on or before January 1.

Hawaiian volcanoes are among the most active in the world, but unlike violently explosive volcanoes they can be approached and studied without significant risk. As a result, the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes provides the ideal environment for practicing volcano monitoring techniques.

Visit the Smug Mug International site to see photos!

Overview

The International Training Program is designed to assist developing nations in attaining self-sufficiency in monitoring volcanoes. The field training emphasizes volcano monitoring methods, both data collection and interpretation, in use by the U.S. Geological Survey; participants are taught the use and maintenance of volcano monitoring instruments. Besides learning to assess volcanic hazards, participants learn the interrelationship of scientists, governing officials, and the news media during volcanic crises. A gallery of former participants showcases the 253 scientists and technicians, from 30 countries, who have attended since 1990.

Course focus and objectives

The course is an introduction to a variety of volcano monitoring techniques, rather than detailed training with just one; hence, seismologists who attend will learn about deformation, gas geochemistry, and physical volcanology as well as geophysics. The course is not geared towards academics, but rather, addresses working in a crisis response mode, focusing on forecasting and rapid response to save lives and property.

Who may apply

Scientists and technicians who work at volcano observatories in developing countries.

Student levels a tribrach
Danny Hidayat from Indonesia levels a tribrach before surveying.
Student measuring the height of a GPS receiver
Virginia Tenorio of Nicaragua measures the height of a GPS receiver.
Morris looks at the camera with his arms crossed
Morris Jim Harrison from Vanuatu relaxes outside of International housing.
Student testing a sample of volcanic gas
Eliecer Duarte of Costa Rica tests a sample of volcanic gas in the lab.

Application deadline: Applications for each summer's course must be received in the CSAV office by January 1 of the year applied for. Download the pdf version of the International Application Form.

If you are interested in learning about volcanology, but are NOT a scientist or civil worker in a developing country with active volcanoes, you may be interested in attending some of the exciting courses offered by the Geology Department of UH Hilo, including Geology of the Hawaiian Islands (GEOL 205 ) and Volcanology (GEOL 470 ). Read more about the Geology Department!

Written requests may be mailed to:

Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
200 West Kāwili Street
Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720-4091

Tel: (808) 932-7555
Fax: (808) 932-7547

View typical apartment housing where International scientists stay during the course.

The 2019 International Course is up and running!

2019 CSAV International Course group photo. Named individuals: Kevin Cueva - Peru, Jose Torres - Peru, Roberto Merida - Guatemala, Jerome De Lima - Philippines, Francisco Mejia - Ecuador, Kathy Vargas - Peru, Marjorie Encalada - Ecuador, Victoria Craig - Argentina, Maria Contreras - Chile, Mirian Villalobos - El Salvador, Con Barairo - Philippines
Participants in 2019 are from Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and the Philippines.
2019 CSAV International Course participants visit Kaumana Cave, and use the FLIR camera to see infrared images of one another
The first field trip was to Kaumana Cave, a lava tube from the 1881 Mauna Loa eruption.
2019 CSAV International Course participants visit recent lava flows, first at Mackenzie State Park, and then at the Pahoa Transfer Station
International scientists visit Puna lava flows at Mackenzie State Park (2018) and Pahoa (2014).
2019 CSAV International Course participants prepare an instrument that detects multiple volcanic gases, then deploys it in the field near Sulfur Banks
The participants learned how to set up and use a multimeter gas instrument in the classroom, and then at Sulphur Banks.
2019 CSAV International Course participants enjoy learning about seismology and Laharz in the lab, as they work at their computers on projects.
The UH Hilo SDAV Lab is often used for teaching. Stephanie Prejean and Jay Wellik (left) explain seismology. Participants work on LaharZ (right) taught by Julie Griswold and Sarah Ogburn.
2019 CSAV International Course participants go surfing after class; Jose Torres at left, Victoria Craig center, and Marjorie Encalada right, catch some waves.
After working hard in the classroom and lab all day, the participants enjoy a beach break with surfing lessons.

The 2018 International Course was a complete success!

2018 CSAV International Course group photo. Named individuals: John Cruz - Peru, Marco Almeida - Ecuador, Lizette Bertin - Chile, Eveling Espinoza - Nicaragua, Yanet Antayhua - Peru, Dave Emerenciana - Phillipines, Ryan Rebadulla - Phillipines, Mabel Wantim - Camaroon, Lily Martinez, Colombia, Beatriz Galvis - Colombia, Carla Chun Quimillo - Guatemala, Claudia Bucarey - Chile, Pedro Espin - Ecuador, Jeanpy Wilondja - Democratic Republic of Congo
Participants in 2018 are from Africa, Latin America, and the Philippines
2018 CSAV International Course group at Pahoa
The group visits a lava flow that threatened Pahoa in 2014
2018 CSAV International Course group at Kazumura
The group hikes through Kazumura Cave
2018 CSAV International in GIS Lab
Sarah Ogburn of USGS VDAP, far right, teaches Lizette Bertin from Chile and Dave Emerenciana from Philippines about LaharZ
2018 CSAV International Course group dinner
For International Dinner, everyone prepares a special dish
2018 Cride scooters
Beatriz Galvis of Colombia and John Cruz Igme of Peru enjoy scooters before International Dinner
2018 CSAV International Course group with a drone
The group learns about UAS drones from USGS VDAP Angie Diefenbach
2018 CSAV International Course group at a meeting
The International scientists sit in on the USGS Monday briefing

The 2017 International Course was truly wonderful! Participants in 2017 were from Chile, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Peru, El Salvador, Colombia, and Ecuador.

2017 CSAV International Program participants: Francisco Vasconez - Ecuador, Sigit Rian Alfian - Indonesia, Alex Alarcon - Chile, Joathan Lazo - Chile, Deri Al Hidayat - Indonesia, Arif Cahyo Purnomo - Indonesia, Rosa Alpala - Colombia, Lina Castano - Colombia, Nancy Trujillo - Colombia, Jessica Vela - Peru, Monserrat Cascante - Costa Rica, Jacqueline Rivera - El Salvador, Elizabeth Guant - Ecuador
International students group from 2017 cohort
At the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal provides an overview of monitoring in Hawaii to students from the CSAV International Students
A group of people in the field, smiling and waving at the camera
The group learns about tephra at Kilauea Iki with Sarah Fagents (UH Mānoa)
A group from CSAV at the lava flow
Everyone enjoyed hiking out to see flowing lava on the coastal plain.
After class montage of activities - paddleboarding, hilo, and skateboarding

Galleries of Recent Participants