Jeffrey Johnson, assistant professor of geosciences, got a surprising wake-up call Tuesday, March 3, while conducting research at Chile’s Villarrica volcano near Pucon, 400 miles south of Santiago.
The volcano erupted early in the morning, spewing lava and ash, resulting in a huge ash column close to two miles high.
“I’ve been around a few volcanoes, but this is the first time that I’ve woken up my children to watch a fire fountain from the house where we are living,” Johnson said in an email.
BBC News is reporting that more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from the area and that the situation is “calm.” The town is on red alert and authorities are preparing residents for the possibility of a larger eruption.
Johnson’s research is focused on multi-disciplinary geophysical study of eruptive processes using seismic, acoustic, optical and other techniques. He is looking at ways to use infrasound to extract wind speed and direction in order to monitor weather.
Johnson is conducting research in Chile on a Fulbright grant. Boise State is among the top U.S. universities in producing student and faculty Fulbright Scholars for the country’s premier international educational exchange program and was just recognized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
BY: KATHLEEN TUCK PUBLISHED 8:32 AM / MARCH 3, 2015