Volcano

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Alajuela

  Nicaragua

Masaya

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2008: Mar 3 - Mar 16

Description: Research Mission
Explore the effects that active volcanoes have on the wildlife, plants, and people that live in their shadows.

Situation Report
Masaya, Nicaragua and Poás, Costa Rica -- There are more than 1900 active volcanoes around the world, about 90 percent of which are located on the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire." Here, where the massive forces of tectonic plates meet, rub, and overlap, we get a glimpse of the fiery power deep within the Earth. There is no doubt that live volcanoes play dramatic roles in their local environments, but how constant low level emissions or sporadic eruptions of sulphur dioxide and other gases affect the plants, animals, and people who live nearby is not well understood. Drs. Hazel Rymer, Glyn William-Jones, and Mike Gillman are studying the effects of acid rain, volcanic smog, and other volcanic side effects on the soil, water, and wildlife--such as tropical butterflies--near active volcanoes, with the goal of understanding how volcanoes affect local environments.

Meals and Accommodations
Teams at both locations stay in small, friendly hotels, with shared rooms and bathrooms. Hotels include a bar and lounge area, and internet access is available close by. Breakfasts will consist of beans and rice, eggs, bread, juice, and coffee served at the hotel or nearby, and lunches will be packed for the field. For dinner, we will eat local dishes in nearby restaurants or at the hotel. Both Costa Rica and Nicaragua have wonderful fresh fruit, vegetables and coffee. The rum is pretty good too!

Highlights: At both volcanoes, you will hike around the volcano and its surrounding areas gathering information using GPS, gas monitoring, and geoelectrical and gravity instruments. You'll also dig holes, take soil and water samples, and conduct butterfly surveys at each location. At Nicaragua's Masaya volcano, which is hot and dry, your daily activity will take place against the spectacular scenery of recent lava flows, red hot magma, and fantastic flora and fauna, including, turtles, crocodiles, and a colony of parrots. Costa Rica's Poàs volcano, by contrast, is often windy or rainy, and data gathering may take you into the beautiful crater lake area, as well as into the volcano's cloud forest, and nearby dairy farms, coffee plantations, and waterfalls. During your recreational time, you can explore the national parks at both volcanoes, and sample the local culture.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,346 - 4,046

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6 - 12

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. Hundreds of expedition teams can use your help in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states this year.

Year Founded: 1971