Is there a list of really top schools to go to for studying volcanology? And how hard is it to get a job in the volcanology sector?

rocky Steve J. Smith

Dear Steve,

I presume you don't already have a geology degree, is that correct? I don't know of any places that grant an undergraduate degree in volcanology so what you need to do first is get an undergraduate degree in geology, and there are many good schools for that. Then you'll have to go off and find a volcanology program. The ones that seem to be pretty successfl include the University of Hawai'i, Arizona State University, The University of Oregon, and many of the British Universities.

Once you get out, though, now comes the hard part. Unfortunately, even though there are plenty of active volcanoes around there are not many jobs for volcanologists. Volcanology (and science in general) has been hit very hard by the national budget cutting. Universities have less funding, and earth science is often seen as not a very practical field to support. In all honesty I'd say that right now the job market in volcanology is bleak. By the time you're out of school things will hopefully have changed.

Scott Rowland, University of Hawaii 

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