GEOL488-12S2 (C) Semester Two 2012
Special Topic: Independent Course of Study

Description

Special Topic - Independent Course of Study
The North Island of New Zealand is one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth. The magnitude, frequency, and environmental impact of eruptions here can be quantified in both time and space through careful field observations. In this course you will first observe and map the products from different styles of volcanic eruptions. This will provide a context for how volcanoes are monitored and the potential hazardous impacts they have on civilization. Despite being the most active rhyolitic volcanic system on Earth, the volume of magma erupted is only 20% of the total heat flow in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. About 80% is transferred to the ground surface in the Taupo Volcanic Zone through conductive hydrothermal systems. You learn how that heat is transferred and how it is turned into energy and transferred into the New Zealand electricity grid. You will map the top of a geothermal system, visit a geothermal power station, look at the alternative/renewable uses of geothermal waste heat and learn what it takes to manage a geothermal resource.

Pre-requisites

For further information see Geological Sciences.