On the Expedition
Explore life in the shadow of an active volcano in Nicaragua.
Hiking around Nicaragua’s active Masaya Volcano and surveying the surrounding areas to help determine the effects volcanic activity has on plant, animal, and human communities, you’ll use GPS technology, monitor volcanic gases, and deploy devices to collect geoelectric activity and gravity. You'll also dig holes, take soil and water samples, and conduct butterfly surveys.
You’ll enjoy the spectacular scenery of recent lava flows, red hot magma, and fantastic flora and fauna, including, turtles, crocodiles, and a colony of parrots. During your recreational time you can explore nearby national parks and sample the local culture.
Meals and Accommodations
You’ll stay in a small, friendly hotel, with shared rooms and bathrooms. The hotel includes a bar and lounge area, and Internet access is available close by. Breakfasts will consist of beans and rice, eggs, bread, juice, and coffee served at the hotel or nearby, and lunches will be packed for the field. For dinner, you’ll eat local dishes in nearby restaurants or at the hotel. Nicaragua has wonderful fresh fruit, vegetables and coffee.
About the Research Area
Masaya volcano, Nicaragua is 600 m/1,968 ft above sea level. The scenery is spectacular, with recent lava flows and fantastic flora and fauna. The volcano is in a National Park and there is a tourist center some distance from the summit.
During your daily tasks you’ll be able to see the awesome pit crater (and sometimes red hot magma therein), fresh lava flows, and the remains of farms where volcanic gases have devastated the vegetation. A colony of parrots lives inside the crater. In the amazing Masaya and Managua lakes you can see turtles and crocodiles, as well.