ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - Earth Sciences - University of Minnesota

Xenolith site on Mauna Kea.hike along the coast to an active lava tube break-out. With a littleluck, everyone would have an opportunity to sample fresh, hotbasalt from the Pu’u ‘O’o vent. Later that evening the glow ofKilauea’s eruption from our campsite was enough to motivate asmall group to hike over to the rim for a spectacular night view.The next morning was not disappointing. Everyone was keenlyaware of the heat on the hike in as the sun beat down onthe jet black lava flows. It didn’t help that long pants, longsleevedshirt, gloves and boots were required by HVO. Thenit really started to get hot as we approached the first of manybreakouts of pahoehoe. Sampling and photography is trickybusiness in this environment. Eyebrows and beards canget singed in a moment if you forget that the object of yourphotography is moving towards you. For many, this wasthe highlight of the trip. Everyone had an opportunity toplunge a rock hammer into a molten flow at 1100°C to collecta sample of brand new Planet Earth. Some good sciencewas done as well as several cameras were set up to recordpahoehoe inflation in 3-D. More than one of the undergradswas impressed that you can actually get paid to do this kindof work.After a damp night in the park, we headed for the summitof Mauna Kea and a visit to the Keck Observatory at 13,800feet elevation. An alkali basalt cinder cone on the way wasexplored for xenoliths of various types. All are found ascores of bombs that were hurled out of the cone about 5,000years ago. Some nice dunites, lherzolites and even gabbrosconvinced the group that these types derived from magmachamber crystallization rather than deeper mantle depths.The summit was impressive, both for the array of telescopesand also for the view: Mauna Loa to the south, Maui to thenorth, sunshine to the west, and clouds and rain to the eastwhere we were about to descend.On our sixth day we did the long drive around the north sideof the island. Akaka Falls was a required stop, of course, butthe day’s objective seemed mainly to get back over to the dryside of the island and everyone’s favorite campsiteat Spencer Beach. The following morning the GeoClub treated everyone to breakfast at the HawaiianStyle Café in Waimea. No reservations, cash only,and a quantity of food at great prices that won’tdisappoint. It’s a “must stop” for any of you whomay find your way back there.So in summary, it was a great field trip and a greatgroup of undergrads. For Lissa Bardal, KelseyBlazer, Darren Cheah, Ben Harkins, Alexis Iverson,Rachel Kane, Stephanie Mayer, Mark Neumeyer,Caitlin Olejniczak, Mathieu Pythoud, KatyRempfert, Alex Seeling, Courtney Sprain, Leif Tokle,Kelsi Ustipak and Nurbek Yessetov, my thanks forbeing such great students and for pitching in withthe day-to-day camping chores that made this sucha memorable trip. Special thanks to Steph for someof the photos.And as a closing note, my thanks also to all of the students fromyears past who have been on my field trips to lots of differentplaces and who have helped make every one of them a success.The time has come, however, for me to move on so it is with somereluctance to admit that Hawaii 2012 was the last big trip for me.They have all been great!Aloha,Jim StoutJames H. Stout Retirement CelebrationWednesday, May 15, 2013University of Minnesota Campus ClubSocial hour begins at 5:30 pmPlease join the Department ofEarth Sciences in celebrating JamesH. Stout’s forty-one years of outstandingteaching, research, andprofessional service at the Universityof Minnesota. You are cordiallyinvited to a retirement celebrationwhere we will gather to sharegood food, fond memories, a fewtestimonials, a humorous story ortwo, and images of Jim’s illustriouscareer.Also consider contributing your stories, photos, and memories ofJim’s impact on your career and life to be included in a book ofmemories and well wishes we are gathering to present to Jim.Dinner at the Campus Club $25/person, discount for studentsReservations by May 8, 2013 (contact Kathy Ohler, 612-624-9031or k-ohler@umn.edu)Alumni NewsletterPage 11