Summer Intern from St. Kitts Gains Hands-On Experience at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory
This summer, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) welcomed high school student Marlin Humphreys for a two-week internship that provided a unique opportunity to explore the science of active volcanism up close.
Marlin, a student at Stanford Online High School and resident of Saint Kitts, joined the MVO team from July 28 to August 8, 2025. With a strong interest in Earth sciences and three years of experience working on a geology research project focused on zircon in the Lesser Antilles, Marlin arrived eager to deepen his understanding of petrology, volcanology, seismology, and the critical role of geological monitoring in volcanic regions.
During his time at MVO, Marlin was introduced to the full range of observatory operations, gaining insight into the mission and global significance of the organization. He learned how seismic data is used to identify volcanic tectonic earthquakes, using P-wave and S-wave arrival times to triangulate epicenters. He also examined how seismogram amplitude data can be used to estimate earthquake magnitudes and got a close look at the instruments—such as seismic sensors, GPS stations, and cameras—that are central to MVO’s 24/7 monitoring efforts.
One highlight of Marlin’s internship was visiting several field stations during routine maintenance and data collection trips. He assisted with geodetic measurements using laser rangefinders, updated MVO’s SO₂ gas monitoring spreadsheets, and helped bring the exclusion zone staff movement log up to date.
Marlin also gained practical knowledge in fumarole monitoring, learning how thermal cameras and UV spectrometers are used to assess fumarolic temperatures and gas emissions. He was introduced to WebObs, the software platform used at MVO to visualize and compile monitoring data from across the island.
In addition to fieldwork, Marlin contributed to the observatory’s documentation efforts, digitizing and captioning historical photographs of MVO staff to help preserve the organization’s rich visual history.
He also explored the role of technology in environmental monitoring, learning how affordable tools like Raspberry Pi and Arduino microcontrollers can support custom monitoring solutions. These small but powerful devices offer cost-effective ways to supplement traditional observation systems and were demonstrated through discussions on prototype camera and sensor setups.
Marlin’s internship culminated with a supervised visit into the Exclusion Zone, where he assisted geologists in identifying and sampling volcanic deposits, while learning about the processes behind block-and-ash flows, pyroclastic density currents, and surge deposits. He also participated in a helicopter survey over the volcanic dome to capture thermal imagery of fumaroles.
MVO is proud to support and inspire the next generation of earth scientists through internships like this one.
Interested in Interning at MVO?
The Montserrat Volcano Observatory occasionally accepts student interns during the summer or on a case-by-case basis depending on availability and relevance to ongoing projects. Interested applicants should have a demonstrated interest in geoscience, environmental science, or related fields. To inquire about internship opportunities, send a cover letter outlining your interests and goals, along with a résumé or CV, to mvo@mvo.ms. Early inquiries are encouraged.
