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The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2816: Beginning Volcanology | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 1:54 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Engines of Our Ingenuity: Episode 2816 – “Beginning Volcanology”

On September 16, 2025, Houston Public Media’s long‑running science series Engines of Our Ingenuity aired episode 2816, titled “Beginning Volcanology.” The hour‑long program delved into the fiery world of volcanoes, explaining how they form, erupt, and threaten—and inspire—human society. Hosted by long‑time HPM anchor Elijah Harris and science‑reporting veteran Maya Ramos, the episode blends expert insight, compelling stories, and the latest satellite data to paint a complete picture of volcanic science.

The Show’s Structure

The episode is broken into three acts, each tackling a different aspect of volcanology.

1. “The Heart of a Volcano” – Explains magma, how it behaves, and what makes a volcano “active.”
2. “Eruptive Episodes” – Looks at the mechanics of eruptions, ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, and the science behind predicting them.
3. “Living with Lava” – Discusses hazard mitigation, early‑warning systems, and the human dimension of living near volcanoes.

Throughout, Harris and Ramos weave in live footage, animated graphics, and field‑recorded audio from volcano‑watching teams.

Key Guest: Dr. Elena Morales

A highlight of the episode is the interview with Dr. Elena Morales, a volcanologist at the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Dr. Morales has spent over 20 years studying volcanic activity around the world, from the subduction‑zone volcanoes of the Pacific Ring of Fire to the basaltic fissure eruptions of Iceland.

“Volcanoes aren’t just destructive—they’re windows into Earth’s interior,” Morales explains. “When we monitor a volcano’s magma chamber, we’re essentially looking into the planet’s beating heart.”

Her insights are framed by a montage of recent eruptions: the 2018 eruption of Kilauea, the 2021 Stromboli unrest, and the historic 2024 Soufrière Hills flare‑up in Montserrat. Morales discusses the data sets that make modern volcano monitoring possible: seismographs, GPS, satellite thermal imagery, and gas‑composition sensors.

Scientific Foundations

The episode starts by demystifying the word magma. It explains that magma is a mixture of molten rock, dissolved gases, and solid crystals that forms in the mantle and crust under high temperature and pressure. It then contrasts magma (below ground) with lava (above ground). Using a 3‑D animation, Harris and Ramos illustrate how rising magma can create a volcanic conduit and eventually force its way through the surface.

A critical section explains the difference between effusive and explosive eruptions:

• Effusive eruptions, like those of the Hawaiian shield volcanoes, produce low‑viscosity basaltic lava that flows gently over the landscape.
• Explosive eruptions, typical of subduction‑zone volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens or the Andes, involve high‑viscosity andesitic or rhyolitic magma that traps gases, leading to violent explosions and ash columns.

Morales uses data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program (www.usgs.gov/volcanoes) to show how seismic “pings” and gas emissions can signal an imminent eruption. She also points listeners to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) for real‑time volcano activity maps.

Satellite and Remote‑Sensing Technologies

The episode showcases several cutting‑edge tools:

• NASA’s MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) provides daily thermal imagery that can detect hot spots up to 1,000 km away from an eruption.
• The Global Volcanism Program’s “Volcano Observing Network” uses ground‑based GPS and InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) to monitor ground deformation, a tell‑tale sign of magma moving beneath a volcano.
• The International Charter for Space and Major Disasters (www.space-charter.org) offers rapid satellite imagery during emergencies, a system that was used during the 2024 Fuego eruption in Guatemala.

Harris highlights the public‑access portal Volcanoes.org and the interactive 3‑D model of the Mt. Etna eruption, noting how these resources help scientists, emergency managers, and the public understand the risks.

Human Stories: Living with Volcanic Hazards

The final act brings the science back to everyday life. Dr. Morales talks to residents of Iceland’s west coast, a region that balances tourism and farming against the backdrop of the Eyjafjallajökull caldera. She emphasizes that the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) issues volcano warnings in a tiered format: watch, warning, alert—and that communities are trained to respond accordingly.

Listeners also hear from a family in Vancouver’s Vancouver Island, who live near the Cinder Falls volcano. They describe how their emergency plan includes evacuation routes, ash‑resistant supplies, and an “ash‑cleaning kit” that keeps the home operational even during a prolonged eruption.

The episode ends on a hopeful note: volcanoes are not just sources of destruction but also renewal. The fertile soils around volcanoes, the new land created by lava flows, and the energy of geothermal vents all serve as reminders that Earth’s dynamic processes can be harnessed for human benefit.

Take‑away Resources

For listeners who want to dig deeper, the HPM website hosts a resource list linked at the bottom of the episode page:

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program – www.usgs.gov/volcanoes
• Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program – www.volcano.si.edu
• NASA Earth Observatory – www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
• International Charter for Space and Major Disasters – www.space-charter.org
• Volcanoes.org – www.volcanoes.org

The article also links to a short documentary on the history of the Mount St. Helens eruption, a PDF of the Volcanic Hazard Mitigation Guide published by the American Red Cross, and a YouTube playlist of live seismic feeds.

Bottom Line

Episode 2816 of Engines of Our Ingenuity offers a comprehensive, engaging primer on volcanology. With a blend of scientific explanation, cutting‑edge technology, and human perspective, the show invites listeners to appreciate the dual nature of volcanoes as both destructive forces and providers of life‑sustaining resources. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a student, or simply curious, the episode delivers a thorough and accessible overview of one of Earth’s most dramatic natural phenomena.