Course Details

135 - Supervolcanoes and Lava Fountains: The Geology of the Snake River Plain

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M - Th
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Course Description: This course introduces Summer Citizens to the exciting, diverse geology of the Snake River Plain of Idaho. As one of the youngest and best-preserved examples of hotspot volcanism in the world, the Snake River Plain has hosted numerous supervolcano eruptions and is covered in lava erupted from Hawaii-like shield volcanoes. Although it is ~100 miles from USU, geologic processes occurring on the Snake River Plain have impacted the landscape in and around Cache Valley. Snake River Plain volcanism also has the potential to cause far-reaching and devastating effects on North America and the world. Summer Citizens will learn about this unique area from a geologist who has spent her career researching the Snake River Plain (and dodging rattlesnakes).

Course Instructor: Dr. Katie Potter is an Instructor in the Department of Geosciences at Utah State University. She grew up in Colorado, earned degrees in Idaho and at USU, and is an expert in Snake River Plain volcanism. She is an avid outdoors woman and loves sharing her enthusiasm for geology with everyone.
katie.potter@usu.edu