graduate Katherine Mulliken was captured in one of the most dramatic photos taken of the eruption on Hawaiʻi Island. Mulliken was born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island and grew up in Volcano Village right outside Hawaiʻi 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 Kīlauea 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 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo offered to house the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory after it was forced to evacuate its building at the summit of Kīlauea because of the explosive events occurring there.
“(It’s) really reflective, I think, of Hawaiʻii 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 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, to serve her community.
