International Training
Dates for the International Course in 2020
Saturday May 23 – Friday July 17
Postponed until 2021. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be holding the International Course in 2020. Please practice social distancing, working from home, and washing your hands frequently. Stay healthy!
International Volcano Observatory Staff are Working During the Pandemic: Some remotely, others in shifts






Details of the International Training Course
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 264 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.
Hawaiʻi Section: Six Weeks
The Hawaiʻi Section is held at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and covers physical geology, webcams, gas geochemistry, rock identification and mapping, Lahars, photogrammetry, seismology, remote sensing, deformation, and dealing with the press. Field work sites are Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.






CVO Section: Two weeks
The CVO section is held in Vancouver, Washington and includes work at Cascades Volcano Observatory as well as field work at Mount St. Helens. Topics covered are stratigraphic sections, mapping, engineering public outreach, event trees, and the relationship of scientists to media and Civil Defense.






Who may apply
Scientists and technicians who work at volcano observatories in developing countries.
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 VolcanoesUniversity 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.
Galleries of Recent Participants
- 2019 Gallery
- 2018 Gallery
- 2017 Gallery
- 2016 Gallery
- 2015 Gallery
- 2014 Gallery
- 2013 Gallery
- 2012 Gallery
- 2011 Gallery
- 2010 Gallery
- 2009 Gallery
- 2008 Gallery
- 2007 Gallery
- 2006 Gallery
- 2005 Gallery
- 2004 Gallery
- 2003 Gallery
- 2002 Gallery
- 2001 Gallery
- 2000 Gallery
- 1999 Gallery
- 1998 Gallery
- 1997 Gallery
- 1996 Gallery
- 1995 Gallery
- 1994 Gallery
- 1993 Gallery
- 1992 Gallery
- 1991 Gallery
- 1990 Gallery