Sarah Black Stelmack

Teaching Associate - Volcanology and Planetary Geology
Email: sstelmac@skidmor.edu
Phone: (518) 580-8362
Office Location: Dana 174

WEBSITE: http://www.skidmore.edu/~sstelmac/

 

EDUCATION

• M.S.T. - Plattsburgh State University, Adolescent Education, 7-12 Earth Science, student teaching not completed
  
• M.S. September 2006 - Geology, University at Buffalo
• B.A. June 2004 - Geology, University at Buffalo
  

COURSES TAUGHT AT SKIDMORE

• GE 101: Earth Systems Science (Labs and Lecture)
• GE 102: The History of Earth, Life, and Global Change (Labs)
• GE 112: Oceanography (Labs)
• GE 251: Volcanology (independent study)

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I study volcanoes (here on Earth, or anywhere else in the solar system), and any other geologic processes on other planets and moons. Here on Earth, I am particularly interested in volcanoes and other geologic hazards/disaster prevention.

WHY SHOULD THE GENERAL PUBLIC BE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU DO?

No matter where you live, you always need to be aware of your surroundings, and how they can potentially effect you and your life. Volcanologists aim to keep the public informed about these types of hazards, since humans have an amazing ability to forget about the powerful forces near where they live.
 
WHY DOES IT INTEREST YOU?

I am interested in volcanoes because I love to learn about the incredible power of the Earth. It never ceases to amaze me. There is a strange beauty in an eruption - devastating as it can be.

I also love studying other planets and moons because we are always finding something new that we never expected. It's thrilling to look at a new, never-before-seen picture of Mars and know that you are one of the first people on the planet to see that part of an alien world.