Collaborative Paleomagnetic Research in Santa Maria Volcano,Guatemala

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This award will support Professors Jimmy Diehl and William Rose of Michigan Technological University in a research collaboration with Guatemalan researchers Otoniel Matias and Jorge Giron of the Guatemalan National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology & Hydrology (INSIVUMEH). Their goal is to develop a program of collection and analysis of paleomagnetic and radiocarbon data for the purpose of providing information on the rate and frequency of recent volcanism in Guatemala. Volcanoes to be visited and sampled include: Santa Maria, where Rose and others (1977) have documented a possible excursion of the geomagnetic field, Fuego and Pacaya. The information provided by this research will assist local authorities in developing volcanic hazard planning and provide the geomagnetic community with valuable information concerning the behavior of the time-averaged paleomagnetic field and its paleosecular variation at low latitudes. In the process, Guatemalan researchers will be trained in the fundamentals of paleomagnetism, especially its use as a correlation tool. By reinforcing the development of a local capability in volcanic hazard assessment in Guatemala, this award fulfills the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program.