This is Professor Brian Hynek, the principal investigator and science lead for our expedition to the world’s highest active volcano. First off, geologists define “active” as having erupted in the last 10,000 years. The last eruption is estimated at over 1000 years ago, so shouldn’t have to worry about eruptions, unlike some of the other volcanoes I study.
We each plan to give a brief introduction of ourselves, so here’s mine. I am a planetary scientist in the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and Department of Geological Sciences, both at the University of Colorado Boulder. I have worked for 18+ years here and love my job. The combination of great colleagues, a vigorous space exploration program, and a mountain backdrop make this my dream job. Much of my research is focused on analog environments on Earth that can teach us about the geology and processes that have occurred on Mars. I travel all over the world to study active geologic settings that replicate early Mars. My focus as of late has been hydrothermal systems (think Yellowstone) and I spend a lot of time studying volcanoes in Iceland, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. This includes correlating environmental variables (like temperature, acidity, etc) with resultant mineral precipitation and chemical changes. I am also interested in the microbiological communities inhabiting these extreme environments and collectively, this research helps us understand how habitable Mars’ hydrothermal systems were when they were active in the past. Ojos del Salado presents many environments that are akin to present or past Mars, as well as Jupiter’s moon Europa. I’m excited for our upcoming expedition to see what we find! Finally, I also have two wonderful children, Jeremiah (7) and Adelaide (4). They are already excellent mountain climbers and this past summer we climbed our first 14er together. In not too many years, they will be able to be my field expeditions on mountaineering trips like this one!
Other team members include graduate students Amanda Steckel and Adam Solon, that will be accompanying me on the climb. Professor Steven Schmidt (EBIO department) and graduate student Nicholas Dragone (EBIO/CIRES) will help with science analysis after our return.
Our goal is to post something daily, but of course we will be dealing with high altitude, travel, inclement weather, and conducting our research. But we will try our best to keep everyone updated!
-Brian
