The excitement and the risks linked to being a scientist working on the edge of a volcano were made clear and personal in a live chat with Professor Hazel Rymer on The Open University Facebook page today, 31 May 2013. Responding to a question posed by Fiona Horton, one of the guests of the chat, Hazel Rymer recounted some of the most dangerous events of her career, which included being stranded on an “island” surrounded by flowing lava, and having to walk on the hot stuff.
During the two-hour live exchange with students, prospective students and other fans of OU Facebook page, Prof. Rymer answered many questions on volcanology and gave advice on what to study in order to become a researcher in her field. She also explained how to join an expedition to study volcanoes in Nicaragua.
She joked that the riskiest part of her expeditions is driving around the M25 on the way to the airport. However she also conceded that it is a risky pursuit, especially when the research is focused on active volcanoes. Hazel Rymer mentioned the fact that she had lost colleagues and friends in volcanic eruptions, and recounted two of the near misses she had survived in her own work.
‘The first was during the 1991-3 eruption at Mount Etna. We were carrying out a gravity survey in collaboration with the Italian Civil Defense, and were helicoptered to a place within the active lava flow. It was a sort of island, a hill, and the lava was flowing all around. We made our measurements, but when it was time to leave, the helicopter was unable to return. So, we had to make our way out of the Valle del Bove by crossing the active lava. Our boots got a bit hot and we could see the red hot lava beneath the blackened surface, but the surface was cool enough to walk and more to the point support us.”
To read the rest of the story go to OU Facebook page and look for Past Events and the chat with Prof. Rymer. You can also watch out for more chats coming up shortly in our OU DeskTime campaign.
Posted 31 May 2013
