This REU site includes fieldwork on the island of Dominica in the West Indies (4 weeks) and associated pre- and post-fieldwork studies for 4 weeks at either the University of Arkansas (UA) or California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Half of the students will do post-fieldwork at UA and half at CSUSB. The techniques that we will employ are field volcanology, Global Positioning System (GPS) geodesy, simple quantitative modeling and laboratory studies, including petrology and geochemistry of volcanic rocks, sediments and waters from geothermal sites.

The objectives are to develop research, scientific, and technical skills in undergraduate students who are interested in magmatic systems, volcano monitoring, and hazard assessment. Students will be paired with a partner for field research and develop individual projects for additional study for the 4 week post-fieldwork period.

We seek eight outstanding and highly motivated rising juniors and seniors with majors in the physical sciences to be participants in the 2007 REU cohort. A rigorous undergraduate background with some basic geoscience coursework is a plus. Students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.