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Underwater Volcanoes Hold Clues to Hawai’ian Islands
Sept. 24, 2007
Underwater Volcanoes Hold Clues to Hawai’ian Islands
OFF THE HAWAI’IAN ISLANDS – Dennis Geist loves his work. The University of Idaho geologist loves being outdoors and exploring nature. Most of all, he loves working on complex problems, even if they’re located underwater.
Geist is spending part of his sabbatical – through Oct. 7 – onboard the research vessel Kilo Moana as a member of a scientific team focused on solving a doozy of a puzzle: did a second round of volcanic activity create numerous volcanic cones on the seafloor surrounding Kaua`i, Ni’ihau and Ka`ula islands, or is the seafloor there merely made up of huge amounts of landslide debris typical of the other islands in the Hawaiian chain?
The team is using sophisticated technology to get the answers. Using multibeam sonar, the researchers are creating a detailed topographical map of the seafloor. The maps give the team a chance to “see hills that look like underwater volcanoes,” said Geist. “We can see how hard the seafloor’s surface is from 3 miles away through water, and identify young lava flows.”
The researchers also are deploying a remotely operated vehicle called “Jason2” that dangles from a five kilometer-long cable. The underwater robot gives geologists a chance to skirt the seafloor, look at rock outcroppings and even pick up rock samples. “It lets me do field research like I would do if I was working on Mount Hood or the Snake River Plain,” said Geist.
The research team’s chief scientist is Mike Garcia, from the University of Hawaii. He and his colleagues are testing the theory that small volcanoes surround the northernmost Hawaiian islands: Kaua`i, Ni’ihau and Ka`ula. This theory suggests that these volcanoes differ from Oahu, Hawai’i and Moloka’i, which mostly are surrounded by deposits formed from landslides.
The researchers hope their findings will help refine a model developed by Garrett Ito, University of Hawaii scientist and research team co-chief scientist, and his students, who found that renewed volcanism comes in response to the loading of younger volcanoes on the Pacific plate. The Diamond Head volcanic crater is an example of a secondary round of volcanic activity that occurred after the initial volcanic activity phase.
“The loading causes the plate to flex up and down,” explained Geist. “Where it flexes up, that’s where you can get volcanoes.”
The research voyage connects Geist with University of Hawai’i colleagues Garcia and Ito, but also with University of Idaho alumnus Terry Naumann, who now is a professor at the University of Alaska.
“This voyage speaks volumes about one of the main roles of university research science,” said Geist. “We recruit and prepare each new generation of scientists.”
The 16-member scientific team is made up of scientists from four countries and includes a middle-school teacher. The research is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
The team’s work is not just geared for advanced scientific researchers. “Everyone can get excited about this kind of expedition. It would be great if Idaho K-12 students could participate, too,” said Geist. “I welcome questions from Idaho kids during the expedition.”
Students and teachers can e-mail questions to the researchers at expeditions@soest.hawaii.edu. Track the team’s research online at www.soest.hawaii.edu/expeditions/Kauai.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
Contact: Tania Thompson, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, taniat@uidaho.edu
NOTE TO MEDIA: Dennis Geist is available via e-mail at sci52@km.soest.hawaii.edu during the research trip. He also can be reached via University Communications following his return in early October. Contact Tania Thompson for more details, (208) 885-6567.
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