The event was organized by alum and longtime employee of the department Bill Collins, Professor Steve Clemens, and Instrumentation & Mass Spectrometry Specialist Joe Orchardo. The demonstration has been a tradition in the department for many years, and is designed to teach students about the science of volcanic eruptions.

“The demonstration illustrates the nature of a phreatic volcanic eruption, an explosive eruption driven by groundwater coming in contact with magma, flashing from the liquid into the vapor phase (steam), leading to a particularly explosive eruption” explained Professor Clemens. “In the demonstration, the eruption is created by trapping approximately 30 ml of liquid nitrogen inside a seltzer bottle and immersing it in a large trash can full of water. The LN2 stands in for the water; it is boiled by the heat of the actual water (standing in for the magma) and explodes”.

The eruption was well-received by everyone in attendance. The program had happened annually for years before the Pandemic, and the department was excited to see it return. Department Manager Dina Egge, who attended the demonstration, said, “It was wonderful to have our faculty connect with these local school kids, and share their excitement for this engaging and educational display!”