International Training
The dates of the International course for 2012 will be May 28 - July 6. The cost is US $3,000 (this cost includes housing). Participants need to provide their own airfare and food.
To Apply: Download an Application Form; forms are due in the CSAV office on or before January 1. Completed Application Forms must be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from the candidate's sponsoring organization. This letter needs to include such things as the candidate's position of employment, long-term prospects, and what the candidate would be expected to bring back to the organization.
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 in which to practice volcano monitoring techniques. When CSAV was first founded in 1989, one of its primary goals was to disseminate knowledge and techniques for forecasting volcanic eruptions to scientists from developing nations.
Since that time, 150 geologists and civil workers from 25 countries, including the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Peru have received training in volcano monitoring methods through CSAV. A gallery of former participants illustrates the array of scientists and technicians who have attended; the 2005 participants are pictured above.
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, currently 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.
Danny Hidayat from Indonesia levels a tribrach before surveying.
Virginia Tenorio of Nicaragua measures the height of a GPS receiver.
Morris Jim Harrison from Vanuatu relaxes outside of International housing.
Eliecer Duarte of Costa Rica tests a sample of volcanic gas in the lab.
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 a different course that CSAV offers. If you are a college student (or graduate) from a country such as the United States, Canada, or the UK, and have taken courses in earth and natural sciences, you may be interested in attending our Field Camp; visit our Field Methods in Volcanology page.
Written requests may be mailed to:
Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes
University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 West Kawili Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4091
TEL: (808) 974-7631
FAX: (808) 974-7677
Pictured below are the scientists from the 2011 International Course. Scientists come from Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Philippines, Indonesia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Colombia, and Mexico. Top photo: UHH Lawn. Bottom photo: Hiking to Puu Oo.
View typical apartment housing where International scientists stay during the course.
GALLERIES of RECENT PARTICIPANTS