goodbye magma
Eight days ago I said goodbye to the Big Island and made the 24 hour trek back to sunny and warm NC. Before I could leave, I wrote my final report and analysis of the explosive deposit -- including my estimation of where the eruption originated from. On my last day, Frank showed me a powerpoint presentation of his own rough take on the eruption site and we matched! My research solidified some points he was speculating to be true as well as showed some interesting trends that will force him to rethink his own analysis. In the long run, Frank plans on publishing an article on the eruption and my data will be used in his paper, i.e., I get published!
The house was being inundated with 4 new volunteers, so it was perfect timing for me to hit the road and begin the next stage of my life. My experience in Hawaii pushed me physically and mentally in ways I had never experienced and although it had its ups and downs, I would not change it. I learned life skills (driving a manual, changing a tire), camping skills (yes, 2 sleepings bags are necessary at 14,000') and enhanced my geological knowledge (I saw a volcano in action!).
Mahalo!