Welcome to my web page
My name is Hans Lechner and I am a Masters International student in the Department of Geological Mining and Engineering Sciences at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI. This is an exciting program because it provides the opportunity to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer while at the same time researching a thesis topic.
Hans Lechner,
Michigan Technological University
Department of Geological/Mining and Engineering Sciences
630 Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building
1400 Townsend Dr.
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
The M.I. Program and My Research Interests
As a graduate student in the M.I. program I hope to focus my research on geologic hazards, particularly those related to volcanic landscapes. I am keenly interested in how humans interact with the environment and the influence that one has on the other. In pursuing this field of research I hope to explore some of the mysteries associated with natural disasters and eventually contribute to mitigation and education efforts.
This program will prepare me to do so through one year of academic work at Michigan Technological University, two years of Peace Corps service - during which time I will research and begin writing my masters thesis - then back to Michigan Tech. for one more semester to complete and defend my thesis.
During this initial year my studies include Volcanology, Natural Hazards, Geohydrology, Geophysics, Intercultural Communications and Spanish among others.
With a focus on volcanic hazards I hope that my Peace Corps service will take me somewhere in Central or South America. That region of the world has an abundance of active volcanoes as well as a population that is growing larger and closer to these volcanoes. Of course, I'm willing to go just about anyplace where a volcanic landscape is found.
As I study more about volcanic processes I have developed several specific interests related to volcanic hazards. My initial interest began with an attempt at the delineation of lahar hazard zones and how the vulnerability of a community is affected by growth and development as it relates to various scales of economic and geopolitical influence. I have also developed an interest in understanding the triggers of secondary lahars and mud flows. More specifically, the correlation between rainfall and soil saturation levels. Another interest that has began to sprout in my mind relates to atmospheric sciences. I would like to investigate how meteorological processes influence the intensity, duration and direction of pyroclastic products.
Ideally, I would love to have a Peace Corps placement in a small community that deals with a variety of volcanic hazards. Once there, I believe that it will be possible to assess the greatest hazards facing the community, analyze the associated risks, and develop methods of communicating these hazards and risks to the local, regional and national communities and governments. I believe that this can be accomplished through several methods including the development of volcanic hazard maps, educational curriculum and published articles or papers. It is my opinion that hazard maps, if produced in conjunction with educational curriculum, could potentially be the most effective method for understanding volcanic hazards and reducing the associated risk. Hazard maps would not only be useful in the education of the general or local populace but would also be used as essential tools for the scientific community and government agencies responsible for the development of evacuation policies or disaster mitigation strategies.
Professor Bill Rose Professor Gregg Bluth
Description of Service, Peace Corps Jamaica, 1999-2001
Here are some links that are often employed by those interested in the study and understanding of natural hazards.
Volcano links
Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program Volcano World USGS Volcano Hazards Program Philipine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
International Volcanic Health HazardNetwork Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Volcano Live Cams Mantle Plumes? Darwin VAAC Electronic Volcano
Volcano Observatories
Colima Montserrat Hawaiian Volcanoes Alaska Volcanoes Cascade Volcanoes Long Valley Yellowstone Erebus
Hazards Links
NASA - Earth Observatory International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Island Vulnerability Univ. Colorado at Boulder - Natural Hazards Center USAID FEMA
American Red Cross Disaster and Emergency Management at MTU Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Landslide Hazards Discovery Channel Landslides
Weather
University of Hawaii - Meterology NOAA Geostationary Satellite Server National Weather Service USGS Weather Links
miscellaneous
ice.com Wikipedia Learn Spanish Spanish verbs Husky Mail
Because our program has a strong focus on volcanoes in Central and South America it is important to develop a network of information resources that may prove useful during my research and possible service in Latin America
Latin America Links
Latin American Network Information Center
Central American Geographic Information Project
Columbia
Costa Rica
Observatorio Vulcanologica y Sismologica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua