RUB Research School

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Author
Name Sobolewski, Linda
Research field geography, volcanology
Career stage doctoral researcher
Home university/institution Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Department/Research unit at home university/institution Geosciences
Chair/Working group at home institution Acting Head Institute of Geography: Prof Dr. Bernd Marschner; Working group “Climatology of Extreme Environments” and PhD supervisor: Prof. Dr. Andreas Pflitsch

International activity
Country United States
Location Washington State, Mount St. Helens (Cascade volcano)
University Cooperation with Glacier Cave Explorers (http://glaciercaveexplorers.org/)
Fund Research School PR.INT
Type of activity research stay
Period starts 14-06-2021
ends 02-07-2021
Keywords Mount St. Helens, glaciovolcanic caves, Crater Glacier
Report My PhD thesis focuses on the investigation of glaciovolcanic cave systems and the interaction of glaciers and active volcanoes. As Mount St. Helens is host to a unique and juvenile glaciovolcanic cave system, the volcano is an ideal natural laboratory to study this phenomenon. During my research stay in Washington State in June 2021 and associated fieldwork in the volcanic crater our research group had the renewed possibility to visit these cave systems. We had the chance to resurvey the caves and to investigate morphology changes, to obtain geochemical and isotopic data via fumarole samples, and to get an idea of heat fluxes and diffuse carbon dioxide emissions in the entrance area of specific caves. A long-term goal is to investigate and understand the importance of glaciovolcanic caves as potential indicators of recurring volcanic activity and resulting hazard mitigation, and to learn more about the volcano’s hydrothermal system and eruptive behavior. Further efforts (of the expedition team) focus on the significance of caves for the global fight against antibiotic resistance and their implications for understanding volcano-ice interactions beyond Earth. This research stay was a great experience and mandatory in order to finish my PhD thesis.
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