FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                                                     11/16/2017

 

The Masaya Volcano; Nicaragua, Helping Communities Understand Their Environment!

Using GIS Methods to create a hazards map and alternate evacuation route.

 

Cedar City, Utah, 11/16/2017 – In May of 2017 a group of students from Southern Utah University traveled to Nicaragua on a study abroad trip. Some students took this opportunity to plan and execute research projects. One such project by Rebecca Hedges and Stevie McDermaid involved an active Volcano named Masaya. Armed with months of preliminary research data the students visited the study site. Aided with GPS units, cameras, field books, a driver, and a translator they took to the communities to confirm their research and collect additional data.

The volcano Masaya has produced some of the largest eruptions on earth roughly 7000ma. Over the last 400 years it has continued to erupt through degassing and lava flow events. Four major communities are located near the volcano. While the local government has an established evacuation route in place, what if something catastrophic happened to it? How would the communities evacuate if necessary? These questions along with others about Masaya prompted the plans to create a map depicting the hazards associated and other evacuation routes. While at the study site the students are made known that local residents are not aware of the danger in their backyard. Their translator, Kathy Matthews stated “the volcano is their culture and heritage. They will not leave their homes unless the military comes in and says to go”. This instilled the student with more drive to complete their map in hopes of getting it back to the communities so that they can better understand their environment.

Hedges and McDermaid are geology students at Southern Utah University (SUU). In addition to an individual senior research project, an EDGE Project is also needed for graduation. The EDGE Program is a three course class that takes students through the process of creating, planning, executing, and reflection of a service based project. The Masaya Volcano Project was developed to be used as an EDGE Project.

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Contact: Rebecca Hedges                                              

Cell: 435-704-4821    

Email: becca.mifflin@gmail.com                         

Website: https://beccamifflin.wixsite.com/eportfolio

                                                        

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