Advanced Field Methods

GLY 478/578, Advanced Field Methods
Intraplate Volcanism: Setting and Hazards

By: Marcus I. Bursik, Professor

The summer 2004 Advanced Field Methods course was designed to bring together students from Buffalo and Mexican institutions for a couple of weeks of sharing of differing insights into cultures, as well as the workings of volcanoes and societal responses to volcanic hazards.

Seventeen graduate students, eight from the University at Buffalo Geology department, eight from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and one from the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, took part in the Advanced Field Methods course to the American Southwest from 25 June to 9 July 2004. Buffalo students reported on their findings during the course at a special all-day seminar in January 2005.

Participating faculty included Marcus Bursik, Professor and Jose Luis Macias (Ph.D., 1994, now on the faculty at the National Autonomous University).

The trip focused on the theme of intraplate volcanism, and started in Yosemite Park, California, with an investigation of Sierran magmatism and magma chambers. At Long Valley caldera and the Mono-Inyo Craters, California, students concentrated on the tectonic setting for intraplate volcanism, formation of the caldera and eruption of the Bishop Tuff, and the young rhyolitic volcanism of the Mono-Inyo Craters, including dome formation and explosive behavior.

From Long Valley, the course moved quickly through Death Valley and a deeper look at the spectacular tectonics of the western Cordillera.

Two days of driving ended on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the infrequently visited Uinkaret volcanic field at Toroweap. For many, this was the highlight of the trip, despite high temperatures. Mapping around Vulcan's Throne -- with its lava flows spilling down to the inner gorge, together with beautiful vistas and excellent exposure of cross sections through normal faults and scoria cones, brought the intimate association of volcanism with bedrock structures to life.

Wrapping around the North Rim, the course concluded at the San Francisco volcanic field, surrounding Flagstaff, Arizona. Here students were treated to studies of the well-known surge deposits of Sugarloaf Mountain, and to an intimate look at the volcanism of Sunset Crater, given by guest faculty Michael Ort, of Northern Arizona University.

The course concluded with a final-night "fiesta" and many heartfelt "adios" among the Mexican and American students. For pictures, see http://www.volcano.buffalo.edu:8980/spl/photos.