Nicaragua and Honduras - 2010
In late February we traveled south to Nicaragua with Earthwatch to help a team of volcanologists gather data around Masaya Volcano near the city of Masaya, about a half hour outside of Managua. Earthwatch is a non-profit organization that links volunteers with science field work projects. For more information see the Earthwatch website. We measured changes in gravity, magnetism and temperature around the volcano. Volcanologists use this data to construct a model of the magma chamber inside the volcano. The model is useful for testing theories of eruption dynamics and environmental impact. Masaya Volcano is constantly emitting gases but not lava allowing for relatively safe study. After a week at Masaya, we went to Honduras to visit Mayan ruins at Copan and the tropical rainforest area between Pico Bonito and the Caribbean Sea near La Ceiba. Here we explored the flora and fauna in the foothills along the coast.
- Masaya, Nicaragua
- Gravity Measurements
- Bernie Zerfas and Peggy
- Santiago Crater, Masaya Volcano
- Lava Tube Bats
- Magnetic Measurements
- Nindiri Crater
- Black Vulture
- White-Headed Capuchin
- Temperature Measurements
- Plumeria Alba
- Nindiri Crater Rim
- Entering Nindiri Crater
- Gravity Measurement
- San Pedro, Nindiri & Santiago Craters
- Entering the Crack
- Pele's Hair
- Sulfur Crystals
- Nindiri Crater
- Santiago Crater Vent
- Field Work
- Scarlet Macaws
- 18 Rabbit, Stela B, Copan
- Temple 16, Copan
- Temple 16, Copan
- Peggy & Buffon's Macaw
- Blue & Gold Macaw
- Pico Bonito
- Northern Jacana & chicks
- Northern Tamandua
- Agami Heron
- Mantled Howler Monkey
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Royal & Sandwich Terns
- Unbelievable Falls
- Butterfly
- Chestnut-Colored Woodpecker
- Basilisik Lizard
- Cay Chachahuate
- Lovely Cotinga
- Keel-Billed Toucan
- Pale-Billed Woodpecker
- Pale-Billed Woodpecker Chick
- Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird