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Volcanologist - Personal requirements

Kaimātai Puia

Skills & knowledge

Volcanologists need to have:

knowledge of volcanoes
knowledge of how magma (hot, liquid rock) erupts and how it behaves
the ability to read maps
research skills
skill in analysing and interpreting research results and other information
practical skills for performing experiments and operating scientific equipment
problem-solving skills
planning and organisational skills
communication skills
writing skills, for writing reports and for publications
maths and computer skills.

"To be able to take a bunch of rocks and turn them into information it is essential to have an analytical mind and a strong mathematics background."

Colin Wilson - Volcanologist

Personal Qualities

Volcanologists need to be enquiring, observant and resourceful. They should also be accurate, motivated, and able to work well under physical hardship and in stressful or difficult conditions.

"As far as possible you want to maintain the quality and the integrity of the science process. Once you have published your work you have to be able to stand by the fact that you collected and analysed the raw data."

Colin Wilson - Volcanologist