The exhalations of a volcano are suffocating, acrid, and sulfurous. We can get a sense of what this smell is like during breakfast. When we crack a boiled egg open, an amino acid containing sulfur is released.
In my element - Sulfur
Sulfur, which has an intense odor, is one of the basic elements that enabled life to develop on earth. Without sulfur we could not produce any amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. This element is also essential for the formation of vitamins such as biotin and thiamine.
I regard volcanoes as a spectacular manifestation of nature. Their explosive power is generated by the expansion of trapped gases as the magma rises. The gases primarily consist of water vapor, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and sulfur dioxide. As a volcanologist, I work together with the local observatory here on Hawaii to monitor the emission of sulfur dioxide. The presence of 0.0005 grams in one cubic meter of air is already toxic and can irritate the respiratory tract. Regular monitoring of the threshold values gives us insights into the volcano’s activity. The aim of our work is to minimize the volcano’s effects on the environment and human health.
My fascination with volcanoes brought me to Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii. The people who live here say that the volcano is a living being that is shaping and changing the island. They attribute something magical to Mauna Loa. In spite of its dangers, it is regarded as a divine blessing and treated with reverence.
I realize that my work is not without risks. An eruption can occur at any time, and my team and I would then have to act quickly to save ourselves and others. But the work I do is a passion and a vocation that I don’t want to miss in my life. I’m fascinated by the beauty and power of volcanoes, and I want to help ensure that the people of Hawaii can live here safely.
