Stanford Supplement C

Surveying from atop the steaming volcano, I peered down at the deep red-ash craters on each side of me. At the center of Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, my mind spun. While I could stare at the panoramic views and geological grandeur for a lifetime, I could not resist considering their beauty from a computational perspective.

The night before, a park ranger had warned that Mt Ruapehu “could” erupt at any moment. But “could” would not suffice: beyond monitoring seismic activity, I pondered whether mathematical models could predict the likelihood of eruptions.

My thoughts raced far faster than my feet could take me down the steep mountainside. Immediately after we returned from the camp, I researched and found that statistical Poisson distributions are often used for modeling.

Feeling the blood rush to my head (whether from the swift change in altitude or my excitement I am still unsure), all I could think about was that, months ago, I had studied these same models in a musty classroom, but, moments ago, amidst soot and ashes, I had lived among them. My research snowballed into more complex mathematical formulas, proofs, and a personal appreciation for research papers on ‘Mathematical Geology’ that stays with me to this day.

Learning opportunities can come from anywhere, a trek among New Zealand volcanoes, a historical fiction novel, a comment a classmate makes in class. I am energized by endless possibilities to pursue and ignite my curiosities into a lifetime of learning.