For information on current volcanic hazards, please visit the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense
and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory websites.
Just published--USGS Volcano Watch article, about Lis Gallant, new Geology Professor at UH Hilo!
Just published--USGS Volcano Watch article, about the September 2023 summit eruption, with UH Hilo students assisting the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in the campus Geology Lab!
Ready to enroll in some Geology classes at UH Hilo?
We look forward to working with you! Contact the Admissions Office today, to get started.
You can apply online or email uhadm@hawaii.edu with questions. You can phone Admissions at (808) 932 - 7446, or, you can even connect to Admissions virtually! Prospective students can schedule individual meetings with our admissions counselor. See you soon!
But, whether you're a returning student, a new student, or a transfer student, before you sign up for classes, read this important information.
New! Hear stories from transfer students, and from students who grew up in Hawaii, about what it's like to attend UH Hilo as a Geology major. Enjoy!
New! Watch our slide show to see UH Hilo Geology students in action!
New! Learn about careers in the Geosciences!
New! Learn about what our alumni are doing!
New! Read about the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's building, to be located on UH Hilo campus!
Fall 2023: What's New at UH Hilo Geology
On 11 September, USGS HVO obtained a molten lava sample from the Kilauea eruption; the silver helicopter on the ground provides scale, far left margin.
Back at the UH Hilo Geology Lab, student assistant Paige prepares the crushed rock sample for conversion to pellets, for the EDXRF machine.
The EDXRF machine is able to rapidly analyze a rock sample and determine precise chemical composition, as seen on the monitor here.
The activity lasted from September 10 - 16; this photo was taken the day before the fountaining stopped. UH Hilo Geology Department is the place to study volcanoes!
Summer 2023: What's New at UH Hilo Geology
UH Hilo Geology students enjoyed mapping the Poleta Folds area in May. Read details here.
Elisabeth Gallant will be the new Geology Professor at UH Hilo starting Fall 2023.
UH Hilo Geology major Ann Carey prepares to examine tephra from Mauna Loa, assisting the USGS HVO.
CSAV International is underway; here, Andrea Aguilar of Chile enjoys a view of Halemaumau lava lake. More about International here.
UH Hilo Geology Assisted the USGS/HVO During the Mauna Loa Eruption
UH Hilo Geology student Baylee McDade uses a hand lens to examine a lava sample from the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption, before preparing a wafer for the EDXRF, to determine the precise composition of the basalt. In the background, Drew Downs of HVO loads a freshly collected lava sample into a shatterbox to pulverize the material for analysis.
The Mauna Loa eruption provides spectacular viewing from Saddle Road on the Big Island of Hawaii. Geology 111 students have been enjoying field trips to see the lava from a safe distance. Photo by Meghann Decker, University of Hawaii.
In the UH Hilo Geology Lab, Professor Steve Lundblad shares a laugh with USGS/HVO post-docs Johanne Schmith (center) and Julie Chang, as they view tephra from the Mauna Loa eruption of 2022. Ejecta includes beautiful Pele's Hair and Limu o Pele. Microscope images are projected onto the computer screen and archived.
Hot Off the Press!
UH Hilo Geology graduates are featured in the news, on the front page of the Tribune-Herald! Read the full article here. Find out what it's like to be a geologist working the front lines during a new volcanic eruption at Kilauea.
UH Hilo Geology is Adapting During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Professor Jim Anderson appears to be teaching to an empty room, but actually, students see and hear everything! Technology allows for remote teaching via ZOOM and other platforms.
During the pandemic, Geology Labs are allowed to meet face-to-face, if masks are worn and social distance is maintained; Adrian, Sinarleen, and Evangeline work on minerals.
Geology field trips are still being held during the pandemic, as long as COVID Safety Protocols are followed; here, Professor Steve Lundblad works with students to collect deformation data on Kilauea.
Our Degrees and Campus
The Geology Program offers two majors and a minor designed to meet the differing needs of students.
The University
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is characterized as a comprehensive, diverse, regional university. Scholarship and research are an important part of faculty work and student engagement, but the primary focus is on providing high-quality baccalaureate and postgraduate education.
Student Experiences in Our Programs
Here are four examples of UH Hilo Geology grads who were born and raised in Hawaiʻi, and now have careers in science.
Katie Mulliken
Katie Mulliken grew up in Volcano Village, graduated from Waiakea High School, then attended UH Hilo, where she received a BS in Geology.
While attending UH Hilo, Katie assisted with field work, learning characteristics of molten lava.
At UH Hilo, Katie logged core samples for Don Thomas, and then moved to UAF in Alaska for her MS.
After gaining so much lab and field experience, Katie was ready for a career as a geologist, and now works for the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Kevan Kamibayashi
Kevan Kamibayashi grew up on Kauai, graduated with a degree in Geology from UH Hilo, and works at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Kevan's job involves telemetry, such as setting up and maintaining a radio network that sends data back to HVO.
Here, Kevan prepares to pilot a drone that will collect samples and photographs from Kilauea.
The USGS sometimes sends Kevan to help at other observatories, such as in Alaska.
Liliana Desmither
Liliana DeSmither graduated from Hilo High, then received a Geology degree from UH Hilo, where she worked with CSAV International.
Lil gained a lot of experience with public outreach, while at UH Hilo, including talking with students about the Pahoa lava flow.
At UH Hilo, a Geology lab is used by HVO scientists, to analyze lava samples from recent eruptions; Geology students are hired through CSAV to assist.
But of course, Liliana's favorite work for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is out in the field, documenting lava flows!
Francine Coloma
Francine Coloma graduated from St. Joseph High, then came to UH Hilo for a degree in Geology.
Fran left the Big Island and went on to a fabulous career with NOAA, as a geodesist.
Some of her work was deploying instruments in the field, but a lot of her job involved data management.
Fran is now back on the Big Island, and managing the NOAA data remotely.
Research Projects of the UH Hilo Geology Department
Things not so hot where you live? Wouldn’t you rather be outdoors in Hawaiʻi with a field notebook, studying active volcanoes? Imagine living in Hawaiʻi surrounded by erupting volcanoes, lush rainforests, high mountain peaks, and the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. This could be your life if you enroll at the Geology program, or the Natural Science program, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. We offer an affordable undergraduate education with small classes and personalized instruction. Visit our Mentos page, which explains how the famous Mentos & Diet Coke explosions work, and how expanding gas relates to volcanoes.
Visit our high-resolution Photo Galleries featuring Jack Dykinga photos of students working around lava!
Why Study Geology at UH Hilo
Several reasons to study at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo:
- Affordable education on a beautiful campus.
- Small class sizes.
- Hilo is the perfect college town.
- Watch volcanoes erupt.
- Excellent outdoor recreational activities.
- Internship opportunities at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
- New! Gordon A. Macdonald research grant for Geology majors!
Our Faculty and Staff
We are your academic ʻohana. We teach the vast majority of courses, using best practices from education research.
Assistant Professor of Geology
Chair, Geology Department; Professor of Geology
Professor, Geology
Affiliate Faculty
Affiliate Faculty
Affiliate Faculty
Educational Specialist
Contact us
We'd love to hear from you!