News
September 16th, 2009
UB partners with European institutions to offer a Dual Masters program in Volcanology
Author: Jessica Ball (PhD student working with Dr. Eliza Calder)
The Department of Geology at the University at Buffalo has recently received funding for a new international graduate program in the geosciences. INVOGE (International Geological Masters in Volcanology and Geotechniques) is a dual master’s research program that will allow students to pursue an internationally recognized master’s degree both at institutions in the United States and abroad. The program is co-sponsored by the University at Buffalo and Michigan Technological University in the United States and Blaise Pascal and Milan-Bicocca Universities in France and Italy, respectively.
The four institutions involved in INVOGE have outstanding graduate research programs in volcanology and geotechniques (applied geology and geoengineering), and conduct field work at research sites around the globe. The Volcanology Group in UB’s Department of Geology has ongoing projects in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Western US, and has hosted international students who have been attracted by the expertise and research capabilities UB’s volcanologists have to offer.
The objectives of the INVOGE program are to train internationally aware, internationally mobile research and applied personnel with a broad experience in volcanology and geotechniques. Students who participate in the program will divide their time between either side of the Atlantic, spending at least one year away from their home institution building language and cultural as well as scientific skills. The blending of multiple curricula in volcanology and geotechniques will produce geoscientists with a strong skill set that will serve them well in the international volcanological community.
Dr. Eliza Calder is the coordinator for INVOGE at UB, and is enthusiastic about the opportunities that the new program will provide for international geological cooperation. “This program should provide a truly unique opportunity for our students. Participating in the graduate programs of two of more of these institutions will enrich the graduate education experience, develop stronger young scientist and foster long-term research opportunities,” says Dr. Calder, an assistant professor of volcanology in UB’s Department of Geology. “The structure of this program builds upon our recent experience participating in a North American based exchange program with collaborators in Canada and Mexico and provides an opportunity to broaden the scope for international collaboration in both graduate education and research.”
The Department of Education funding of $460,000 will be divided between UB and Michigan Tech, INVOGE’s other United States institution, and similar amounts of money will be provided to the European partners in Italy and France. The funds are intended to support travel for faculty and student exchanges, as well as summer workshops in the US and Europe.
More information about the INVOGE program, including application instructions, can be found at the Center's INVOGE webpage and at http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~raman/INVOGE/Welcome.html or obtained by contacting Dr. Eliza Calder (ecalder@buffalo.edu).
April 6th, 2009
An Earthquake measuring 5.8 according to the Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and 6.3 according to the USGS struck the town of L’Aquila in Italy today at 3:32 am local time. The death toll has risen to 150 and there are over 150,000 people have been affected. There is more information on the Earthquake on the following links: MSNBC.com and CNN.com
Feberuary 7th, 2009
Wildfires in Australia have killed 130 people and some 850 square miles were burned out. For pictures and more information about Australia's wildfire go to Associated Press and The Australian.
December 17th, 2008
The Tungurahua Volcano's activity has increased. There have been several reports of combinations of ash and vapor columns reaching 6 km of height. This information is based on reports found on the Instituto Geofisico website. Visit the Instituto Geofisico website (http://www.igepn.edu.ec/) for more information on the Tungurahua Volcano.
December 5th, 2008
Alexander Braun will give the first Center for GeoHazards Studies Seminar Series title: " Observing Geohazards with Space Geodesy: Tsunamis, Sand Dunes and Sea Ice"
Job Opportunity in Colima Volcano
Additional enthusiastic students required to assist with research at Volcán de Colima, Mexico. The minimum period is 1 month, but those who can stay longer have priority. Various projects are in progress, the overall goal being to produce a dynamic model to explain the volcano´s behaviour. Time will be spent assisting with field and lab work, including: routine collection of thermal data, water and gas samples, maintenance of installed sensors, development of new systems, geophysical surveys etc. Analysis will be carried out of a variety of data types. Applicants should have or be working towards a degree in geology or a related earth science with plenty of field experience. Some knowledge of Spanish would be useful, and a reasonable level of fitness is necessary for hiking at altitude. Applicants with some programming experience, principally Matlab, will be particularly favoured. There may be the possibility to visit some of Mexico´s other active volcanoes for other projects.
This is an excellent opportunity to obtain experience working on an active volcano and to use various field, laboratory and analysis techniques. It could be of great benefit to someone waiting to enter graduate studies in volcanology. No salary can be paid, but cheap accommodation is available. Further information can be found on the website: http://www.ucol.mx/ciiv/. If interested please email Dr. Nick Varley, Centre of Exchange and Research in Volcanology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Colima at nick@ucol.mx.
April 19th to 24th, 2009
EGU Meeting in Vienna, Austria
View information in Dr. Sheridan's sessions.
http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2009/
March 22th to 27th, 2009
AAG Meeting in Las Vegas, USA
http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2009/
January 19th, 2009
Deadline for EGU abstract submission
Michael F. Sheridan will chair two sessions.
http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2009/
November 13th, 2008
Deadline for AAG abstract submission
http://aag.org/annualmeetings/2009/index.htm
October 13th, 2008
Wildfires spread through the San Fernando Valley.
CNN Wildfires: News and Videos
September 6th, 2008
Rockslide in Egypt.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/09/08/egypt.rockslide.ap/index.html
October and September’s Hurricanes
If you want information on Gustav, Hanna or any other hurricanes, click here.
Ike just went over Cuba and is going towards the Caribbean. Follow its course in the National Hurricane Center website or on the CNN.
August 28th, 2008
Michael F. Sheridan was asked by Channel 4 News to give an onsite interview on a landslide south of Springville related to the new 219 interstate construction. This was emitted on the evening news with Luke Moretti. The area is Scoby Hill where a house is beginning to slide toward Cattaraugus Creek.
Video of the news from Channel 4 website
June 12, 2008
Center for GeoHazards Studies moves to a new office!
March 29-30, 2008
Center for GeoHazards Studies Annual Conference
Please visit our Annual Conference page for more details
November 27, 2007
Vesuvius' Next Eruption May Put Metro Naples at Risk
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/7803
March 21, 2007
Vesuvius Eruption could threaten Naples