Monitors and studies volcanoes to forecast eruptions and keep people safe.
At the USGS Hawaiian or Alaska Volcano Observatory, you check gas sensors, earthquake swarms, and ground swelling. During an eruption you may fly over in a helicopter and sample lava.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in geology or geophysics.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Growth is for geoscientists overall.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps read sensor data, but field sampling, helicopter flights and eruption calls stay human.
Classes: Earth science, AP Chemistry, AP Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2042.
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