graduate Katherine Mulliken was captured in one of the most dramatic photos taken of the eruption on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island. Mulliken was born and raised on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island and grew up in Volcano Village right outside Â鶹´«Ã½ Volcanoes National Park. She works as a geologist for the , a cooperating partner of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, but was sent back home to help with the response to the 2018 K¨©lauea eruption.
“Mostly what I have been doing is helping to monitor in the lower east rift zones, noting activity areas,” she said. “Whether flows have advanced or stalled. Whether there is new fissuring in certain areas or fountaining in certain areas.”
Important information in evaluating the hazards created by the eruption. Mulliken’s duties also include collecting samples from active lava flows. The 2012 UH Hilo graduate in geology and anthropology went to graduate school in Alaska, where she lives and works. She says this homecoming is bittersweet.
“I?m really happy and grateful that I get to be here helping out. It?s been a little hard. You know, it?s hard to see people really impacted, friends and family,” she said.
Mulliken is one of three UH Hilo graduates working with the U.S. Geological Survey team responding to the eruption. On top of being well trained, the Hilo graduates have local knowledge that has been invaluable to officials. Mulliken says it¡¯s been nice to see so many familiar faces.
“Professors I took classes from are now helping out with the response and providing long-term perspective on activities that they have observed.”
She¡¯s not surprised that UH Hilo offered to house the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory after it was forced to evacuate its building at the summit of K¨©lauea because of the explosive events occurring there.
“(It¡¯s) really reflective, I think, of Â鶹´«Ã½i in general. Everyone wants to help out.”
It¡¯s a big reason why she hopes to return home for good and use what she learned at UH Hilo, to serve her community.
