Catherine Skokan

Results of an experimental drill hole at the summit of kilauea volcano, Hawaii

Abstract A borehole has been drilled to a depth of 1262 m (4141 ft) beneath the summit of Kilauea volcano, on the island of Hawaii. The purpose was to test predictions made from surface-based geophysical surveys and seek evidence of a hydrothermal system over a known magma body. Nearly all rocks penetrated by the borehole are olivine basalt, with minor amounts of olivine diabase, picrite diabase and olivine-poor basalt. While the rocks are petrographically uniform, their physical properties vary widely from flow to flow. Core samples have progressively more thermal and chemical alteration with increasing depth. The temperature distribution in the wellbore is strongly affected by fluid convection. The temperature distribution can be simulated by two-dimensional convection having half-cell dimensions of 700 by 700 m. However, the match is improved by assuming that heat transport takes place by conduction in the lower half, while convective heat transfer dominates the upper half.

Overview of electromagnetic methods applied in active volcanic areas of western United States

Abstract A better understanding of active volcanic areas in the United States through electromagnetic geophysical studies received foundation from the many surveys done for geothermal exploration in the 1970s. Investigations by governmental, industrial, and academic agencies include (but are not limited to) mapping of the Cascades. Long Valley/Mono area, the Jemez volcanic field, Yellowstone Park, and an area in Colorado. For one example — Mt. Konocti in the Mayacamas Mountains, California — gravity, magnetic, and seismic, as well as electromagnetic methods have all been used in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the subsurface structure. In each of these volcanic regions, anomalous zones were mapped. When conductive, these anomalies were interpreted to be correlated with hydrothermal activity and not to represent a magma chamber. Electrical and electromagnetic geophysical methods can offer valuable information in the understanding of volcanoes by being the method which is most sensitive to change in temperature and, therefore, can best map heat budget and hydrological character to aid in prediction of eruptions.

AN INTEGRATED GROUNDWATER STUDY: CHASNIGUA, HONDURAS

This paper is an update on a project initiated last year with a grant from SEGs Geoscientists Without Borders program. The project benefited from prior established relationships with water and sanitation administrators in the Municipality of Villanueva and with faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Honduras, campus Valle Sula. The project rationale was the substantial need for a clean, reliable source of potable water for people living in the village of Chasnigua and the interesting geophysical challenges of an area complicated with volcanic/limestone terrain. Because of the geological complexity of this region, a suite of magnetic, magnetic gradient, direct current (dc)resistivity, and frequency-domain electromagnetic studies were performed. Soil and water sampling and testing, and topographic mapping of the terrain augmented this geophysical study. Through this effort, a site was identified that holds substantial promise for a sustainable subterranean water source. However, challenges h...

An Integrated Ground Water Study For Chasnigua, Honduras; Accomplishments And Challenges

This paper is an update on a project initiated last year with a grant from the Society for Exploration Geophysicists, Geoscientists without Borders program. The project benefited from prior established relationships with water and sanitation administrators in the Municipality of Villanueva and with faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Honduras, campus Valle Sula. Project rationale followed knowledge of substantial need for a clean, reliable source of potable water for people living within the village of Chasnigua and the interesting geophysical challenges of an area complicated with volcanic/limestone terrain. Because of the geological complexity of this region, a suite of magnetic, magnetic gradient, DC resistivity and frequency domain electromagnetic studies were performed. Soil and water sampling and testing, and topographic mapping of the terrain augmented this geophysical study. Through this effort a site was identified that holds substantial promise for a sustainable subterranean water source. However, challenges have now moved from the technical to the social context as the person responsible for land on which most of our geophysical studies have focused, now indicates a reluctance to allow water well drilling and completion on that land. In addition to the technical aspects of this project, this paper includes a discussion of approaches that may provide a more successful outcome with regard to social contextual challenges in which these type projects are inevitably be immersed.

Humanitarian Engineering: Groundwater Investigation for St. Denis Secondary School, Makondo, Uganda

The overall goal of the Humanitarian Engineering program at the Colorado School of Mines is the creation of new cadre of engineers, sensitive to social contexts, and committed and qualified to serve humanity by contributing to the solution of problems to those in want of technical assistance in meeting the basic needs. CSM formed a working relationship with St. Denis, a secondary school in Makondo, Uganda. A geophysical survey was conducted outside of Makondo to investigate water resources for the community. Because the number of students is growing, water demands have outgrown the current supply. Several engineering solutions have been analyzed including drilling for additional groundwater. Based on preliminary information, a DC resistivity survey was decided as the most efficient method for collecting data. The goals of the survey were threefold; locate the water table; find information about local geology; and determine if the groundwater was contaminated and identify the contaminates. Dipole-dipole and Schlumberger sounding arrays were placed in three separate areas. These data were collected and analyzed using 1-D and 2-D inversion programs. The resulting inversions located the water table and suggested that the groundwater was only partially contaminated. Using these data, a well location was proposed for future construction. The Humanitarian Engineering Program at the Colorado School of Mines In Fall 2002, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation issued a request for proposals to a limited number of universities and colleges in western states. The general objectives of the Hewlettsponsored program were to improve the quality of engineering education in terms of recruitment and retention of under-represented groups, innovative teaching and learning strategies, advancement of student professionalism, development of academic and industrial partnerships, and extended impact. CSM responded with a proposal for the development of a minor program in Humanitarian Engineering. The Hewlett Foundation funded our proposal. In addition, eight other universities: Boise State University, Idaho State University, Montana State University, Northern Arizona University, Oregon State University, University of Nevada/Reno, University of Utah, and the University of Wyoming received funding. The collective group is known as the Engineering Schools of the West Initiative (ESWI). The overall goal of the Humanitarian Engineering program at CSM is the creation of new cadre of engineers, sensitive to social contexts, committed and qualified to serve humanity by contributing to the solution of complex problems at regional, national, and international levels and locations around the