UNI students walk on volcanoes

About two-dozen University of Northern Iowa students are getting back intothe swing of school after a field trip they’ll never forget — climbingseveral volcanoes. While some students hit Florida for Spring Break, 25 U-N-I geology studentswent to Italy and explored six active volcanoes. Earth sceince professor KenDe Nault says the best way to teach students about such formations is togive them hands-on –or feet-on– experience. They climbed one volcano wherethe lava was so fresh & hot, it started to burn their shoes.De Nault has led previous tours to Hawaii and New Mexico. In addition to thegeological formation, he says the students also explored cultural landmarksin Italy and the Aeolian (ay-OH’-lee-un) Islands.De Nault says the students now have much more personal knowlege of volcanoesand of their power. Besides climing Mount Vesuvius, they also touredPompeii, the city that was buried by its exploding eruption in the year 79.