Rain could not stop University of Wyoming and Jackson State University students from going into the field Wednesday. Although Mississippi
isn’t known for cold temperatures in May, wet weather came in mid-week to chill
and soak students working in an area called Buck Chute, north of Vicksburg and
near the Yazoo River in Mississippi. Despite
the elements, the field work continued, and smiling faces still peeked through
shrouded raincoat hoods as students used geophysics tools to better understand
what lies beneath their feet in a lush green wetlands enclosed by an important
levee system.
“I was very impressed by all our students,” said Dr. Ezat Heydari with a grin. Dr. Heydari is a professor in the Department of Physics,
Atmospheric Sciences, and Geoscience at Jackson State University, and an
important partner to the Wyoming Center for Environmental Hydrology and
Geophysics (WyCEHG) for the Ecohydrogeophysics Field Course and educational exchange
between UW and JSU.
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| Professor Steve Holbrook instructs students placing geophysics equipment in an area called Buck Chute in Mississippi |
The day before the rain, students learned how to use the
seismic and resistivity equipment in a large yard on the Jackson State Campus
in bright 80 degree weather. This equipment allows scientists to “see” what is
underground and help answer important questions about the properties of the
earth. Although the two days were different by way of conditions, students felt
the exercise was very interesting and didn’t mind getting a little wet in the
field.
“I really liked using the seismic equipment and then seeing
the data in the computer lab later,” said Naomi, a senior at Jackson State.
This is the second year for the Ecohydrogeophysics Field
Course. Last year, students from JSU came to Wyoming, and this year UW students
left on May 10th for Mississippi. The two week course is made up of
Ecology, Hydrology, and Geophysics sessions and field experience.
By Elizabeth Nysson
Photo by Elizabeth Nysson
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