ESS 391 - Geology of the Hawaiian Islands

2-3 hours
This course is a 2‐week field trip to the Hawaiian Islands, including Hawai’i Island, Maui, and O’ahu. The course emphasizes the various geological, oceanographic, hydrologic, and atmospheric processes that have contributed to the formation and development of the island chain. Students will explore many aspects of the islands, including active volcanism, soil formation and hydrology, relationships between lava age and vegetation, earthquakes and tsunamis, coastal erosion and sedimentation, coral reef processes, and more. Offered in May every 4 years to a limited number of participants. Students who sign up for 3 credits will complete a research project and present their findings. Prerequisite(s): Any one of the following: ESS 105, ESS 109, GEOG 121, ESS 191. UG