Studying Volcanoes
Just because you feel fear doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Do it afraid. (Joyce Meyer)
A Curious Job
This scientist is standing in an active volcano field, collecting samples of lava. The surface he or she is walking on? It’s cooled and solidified molten lava. The newly formed crust can be thin. So it might collapse, and drop the scientist into the molten lava below.
People who study volcanos—volcanologists—have a dangerous job. Yet this man is dressed in regular work shoes and overalls. Why? Because to walk here, the scientist needs to feel the heat under his feet. If the cooled lava flow is too hot to stand on, it’s not safe. Shoe soles starting to melt is also a key warning sign. to move—right now!
Why Collect Lava?
Did you notice the metal can by his feet? This scientist is dropping the lava samples into water, The lava solidifies into glass as it cools. In the lab, this glass can be analyzed to see if the chemical composition of the volcano has changed. Higher magnesium content, for instance, means a hotter volcano. The chemistry gives insight into the magma chamber underground, which feeds the volcano. When enough pressure builds up, it erupts. Molten rock below the earth’s surface is called magma. Once it breaks through the earth’s crust, it’s called lava.
Volcanologists take great safety precautions and are highly skilled. But studying active volcanoes remains a dangerous profession.
My Spiritual Point
Joyce Meyer’s “Do it afraid.” is good advice. Because courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the ability to do what we need to, despite our fears. Moral courage often requires us to stand alone, face ridicule and in many countries even endure persecution.
As Christians, walking by faith, we need to start obeying Christ, by being willing to “do it afraid.”
This image came from Pixabay,com
Resources:
When working inside a live volcano, male and female volcanologists will often wear a fire proximity suit
Here’s a wonderful summary of the science of volcanoes.
