Answers to your Questions:

Here are all the questions and answers from 10/24/02 through 01/29/03. The list is in order of date. The most recent questions are towards the bottom of the page.

Asked by University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on 10/24/2002 10:48:23 AM.

Q. Hi, I am graduate student in biochemistry and I am very much interested in your project. I would like to know if there are opportunities for independent projects that I could participate in. Sincerely, Radu Mihaila

A. Hi Radu, Your primary source of information should be your university and your advisor. He/She is likely aware of projects going on that could be of interest to you. I am not sure of what you mean by "independent projects". If you could clarify? Thanks! - Nathalie

Asked by Mr. Shwardt's 10th grade class at Shasta High School in Redding , Ca on 10/24/2002 8:24:05 AM.

Q. Because you have kids did it make this expedition harder to go on?

A. It was very difficult to be away from my family. With young kids at home, it is difficult to convey to them what you are doing and when you will be home. They expect that you will be home in a few days, but then realize that we are out for quite a bit longer than that.

Q. If so whats going to be the first thing your going to do with your family when you get home?

A. I spent a long time just sitting and being with them. It was a grand home coming for me.

Asked on 10-28-02.

Q. What do you do if someone gets sick?

A. Our plan is to use medication for AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and a med kit for other injuries such as sprain ankles and minor injuries. If it is serious enough we will call the refuge on a radio and arrange medical transport off the mountain.

Asked by a Mt. Shasta classroom on 10-28-02.

Q. How does the mountain there have similarities and differences from other volcanoes?

A. The uniqueness of Licancabur has a lake on top for starters, and our base camp is at an elevation that is as high as Mt Shasta! Licancabur is a pure symmetrical cone (Andesitic). The lake on top puts it in a very unique category.

Asked on 10-28-02.

Answered specifically by Andy Hock

Q. What specific info have you gathered with Bonnie and Clyde?

A. It’s been challenging so far, because they have been designed for underwater deployment not shallow water deployment. We have received good heat flux measurements at Laguna Blanca and a great heat flux measurements at the thermal pools. (Heat flux is the quantity of heat passing through an area and can be measured as a rate—Watts/Meter squared for example) This is detectable by the human body, such as moving your hand toward a heat source.

Asked on 10-28-02.

Q. How many of your team has been on a volcano before?

A. All of us have—The list of volcanoes is: Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta, Tres Cumbres, Juriques, Licancabur, Cinder Cone, Puy-de-Dome (and many others in the center of France), Cotopaxi, Fujiyama, Indonesian volcanoes, Osorno, Billarica, Santarini, and Mauna Loa.

Asked on 10-28-02.

Q. Since the snow, has this changed the type of experiments you are doing?

A. It has shifted our schedule, but we haven’t changed any of our experiments, just the order of when we will do them. We still plan to complete all of our objectives.

Asked on 10-28-02.

Q. I've noticed that you have had difficulty transmitting and the you mention it is difficult to hold a charge in your batteries. How ARE you charging your computer batteries?

A. That is a great question--Because of the cold, and the specialty of the communication equipment, we cannot just put any battery into these devices. Other items, such as radios and science equipment use regular batteries, so that has not been a problem. With the Satellite phone, the digital camera, and the laptop, we have been trying to use a solar panel to charge. Other options we have used include: Car batteries, a generator, and when possible, we try to go to San Pedro to charge in a regular outlet. The San Pedro option though, is only used as a last resort because we have to travel 3 hours to get there, and we have to go back through Chilean customs which can take a while.

Asked by Mrs. Germano's 11th grade class at Bishop Quinn in Palo Cedro, Ca on 10/31/2002 8:49:14 AM.

Q. What are the different Vaccinations that the Hikers needed before they went to chile?

A. The suggestion was for us to be current on all of our regular vaccinations (Tetnus, Small pox) and we also had to recieve vaccinations for Hepatitus A, B, Typhoid, and for some and Influenza shot.

Asked on 10/31/2002

Q. How much do you guys get paid? If you don't det paid then what would you guys get exept getting to go up there and study?

A. Answered by each team member:

Nathalie--First, you have to write a proposal, and usually that is all it takes for the funding of a trip such as this. But you always end up working more than what the money can pay. We all feel though it is much more than that. The gain of scientific knowledge, the passion for what you love to do and the excitement is beyond comparison.

David Fike--My expenses are usually covered, but I am given the opportunity to do such and exciting thing. My major motivation is: To Explore and Learn.

Andy Hock--Just looking a tthe place we are doing what we are doing is such a rich expereince. I have to say this is an experience I would simply volounteer to do.

Lorena--I have gained so much experience from this expedition. This is an opportunity to do more research.

Marc--I enjoy the pursuit of knowledge. "Science is discipline pursured with passion. Art is passion pursued with discipline."

Edmond--When we get back, we will be extremely rich with experience. We work together in an extreme environment and this is priceless.

Christian--The people must understand that sometimes we must work for more than money. It is for passion, knowledge, experience, and meeting new friends. We have the opportunity to learn more about each other and how to work together as a team.

Asked on 10/31/2002

Q. Is it fun to hike that high and study all that stuff?

A. This environment is a great place to study the rich biology. For example, the flamingos in the morning are standing it the Lagunas that have patches of frozen ice all around...how can this be? The algae at the edge of the lakes also freezes solid, but by mid day it is thawed out and begins to photosynthesize. These are just a couple examples of what the life can endure here.

Asked by Mrs. Germano's 11th grade class at Bishop Quinn in Palo Cedro, Ca on 10/31/2002 8:54:23 AM.

Q. Do you think we will ever colonize on Mars? What restrictions will apply?

A. Knowing the Human nature, I have absolutely no doubt that this will happen. When is another question. Technologically, we are very close of being capable of sending human to Mars. I believe that in the 12-15 coming years, there will be a scientific base on Mars, a bit like Antarctica. If this is what you mean by colonization, then this is my prediction. Crews will be replaced and shifts will happen as for the Austral base. Now, if colonization means humans living permanently there, I think it will take longer, possibly ~100 years. Still, it is very close in time now. I am not sure about what you intend when you speak about restrictions: are they regarding the people who want to go there or about the local environment? In the former case, people will have to be in good physical shape to endure the travel and also accept to live in confined areas. No outdoor activities without a suit•and Earth will be just a tiny blue dot in the sky. No turning back! Now, we still need to understand what the Martian environment is about. We hope that it won't be the case but it is still in the realm of possibilities that something in the Martian environment (e.g., dust) might be poisonous for humans. I do not think it would prevent forever human colonization but it might delay it significantly until we find a solution.

Q. What made the research team choose a natural environment over an artificial more controlled one?

A. Nature is the best lab in the world, the most complicated too. You are right on that point. The summit lake of Licancabur is an environment that needs to be characterized. Once we will have identify all the paramaters, we will be able to reconstruct them in the lab and make them vary.

Asked by Mrs. Guerrero's 7th grade class at O.L.G.A. in Calexico, Cal. on 11/2/2002 5:14:28 PM

Q. How big is the Lago Titicaca?

A. Lake Titicaca is 180 km x 80 km. It is the largest and highest navigable lake at 3810 m but it is not the highest lake on Earth. Licancabur holds that record.

Asked by Ms. De Anda's 7th grade class at Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy in Calexico, California on 11/2/2002 5:19:38 PM.

Q. Why the lakes did'n have salt water?

A. Let me tell you that some lakes have actually plenty of salt in their waters! That was the case of Laguna Verde at the foot of Licancabur. I had the good fortune to make a wrong maneuver when diving and I swallow a large quantity of water. It was much saltier than the average ocean waters. These lakes are evaporating so salts are precipitating and they are really salty.

Asked by Spencer 's 7th grade class at Anderson middle school in Anderson, CA on 11/4/2002 9:53:58 AM.

Q. Do you guys see any wild animals like rattle snakes or mountain lions if you so have you been chase by anything?

A. The only 'wild' thing we saw is fairly gentle. We have seen Vizcachas (small mammals that resemble a cross between a rabbit and a kangaroo), Flamingos, varieties of birds, llamas, and alpacas (smaller than llamas)

Asked by Mrs. Walden's 4th grade class at Grant Elementary in Redding, CA on 11/5/2002 12:51:46 PM.

Q. Do you expect to find any new species? If you do, would you get to name it?

A. The interesting aspect of this lake is that it is isolated from the other lower lakes, at least it seems to be. Potential communication ways are still the atmosphere and possibly underground water system. However, it is safe to say that the summit lake is more isolated than the others. In this configuration, species tend to evolve on their own. It is possible that we will observe new species or modifications of known species. If this is the case, of course, biologists will give them names.

Asked by Missy Dunetz's 10th grade class at Hayfork High School in Hayfork, California on 11/7/2002 11:31:17 AM.

Q. Um.... that "lake" looks more like a puddle. Is it in the middle of the dry season or something?

A. The summit lake is far from being a puddle. Its dimensions are: 100 m x 90 m. The reason you have this impression is because the photograph shown on the web was taken from the crater summit rim which is a bit more than 150 m above the lake. We actually had a lot of fun running towards the lake from the summit (the way back was another story)

Asked by Mrs. King's 8th grade class at Vista Middle School in Red Bluff, CA on 12/18/2002 10:00:25.

These questions were answered by Edmond Grin.

Q. How thick was the part of the lake that was frozen?

A. During our expedition the lake was not frozen. The temperature of the water was about 6 degree Celsius (45 deg F). The air temperature was very cold. The wind over the lake was very chilly and icy about minus 15 deg Celsius (5 deg F). We think that the water was at a temperature about freezing by the possible action of heat release by the crater of the volcano and may be by the strong Ultraviolet radiations of the summer sun. In the winter of the south hemisphere the lake is frozen. The thickness of the ice sheet about 80 centimeters during the previous expeditions in the last 5 and 10 years. The lake is frozen in winter.

Q. Would you ever want to live there?

A. The Atacama desert and the Licancabur are gorgeous place to live . If I have to live in the Atacama Desert I will choose to live in the nice oasis of San Pedro and explore the region as a geologist, or as an anthropologist, or as an historian, or as an artist. I will be very, very busy with a lot to discover. We can live every where if we have a project for the life and interest in every things of the nature and humane.

Q. How long did it take to hike to the top of the mountain from the base camp?

A. Going quite slow to acclimate our self to the low oxygen of the air at high altitude, the ascent can be of about 6 to 8 hours. The important is to win and be at the top in safety conditions and to have time to go down. The good mountaineering technique is to start very early at 4 pm at least to have a long day for safety climbing

Q. When you went to Licancabur was there a high death risk?

A. Mountaineering is always risky. In summer time when we were on the slope the risk was the poor stability of the rocks. A fallen rock is a permanent risk. You can be injured, have a broken leg or less an ankle distort. We have helmet. The death accident is a part of mountaineering. This is a very serious sport at any time and any place

Q. Was it hard to breathe when you were on the top of the mountain?

A. Yes. This is the main stress. The higher you are the less is the oxygen content and the air pressure which about half of the oxygen and pressure where we live usually. We need a good training to breath at high altitude. We all succeed to the top without oxygen help from bottles because we train ourselves during three weeks at altitude.

Q. How big is the area you studied in square miles?

A. The study of the geology and lake area was of 150 sq miles

Q. When was the last time the volcano erupted?

A. The last eruption is not recorded. It could be estimated to be in geologic time about one million year ago. The Lazcar volcano at 40 kilometers from the Licancabur has erupted recently in1989. Many volcanos are still active in the region of Atacama.

Q. Do you want to go to Mars now that you have done the experiment?

A. Yes. This experiment was conduct in a extreme environment quite similar to Mars. The air of Mars in not breathable and there no surface water like the Laguna. But we will understand what the ancient environment was when it was water and another climate then today. This is the goal of the Licancabur expedition to help the further scientists on Mars

Q. How much money did it cost to go?

A. It will cost to you an air ticket from San Francisco to Antofagasta about $ 1300 plus local transportation about $ 200 plus hotel $ 200 a week plus food $ 100. Have a good trip. See you same where in a dream today that become reality later. Good luck

Q. Why did the Colorado River make the Grand Canyon and the Mississippi river form no canyons?

A. The Colorado River has excavated its bed on an much higher ancient flat land where he makes many meanders like the Mississippi river has done on the flat land. They made meanders because the slope is gentle and they take time to go down the slope to loose their energy. The flat land of the ancient Colorado was progressively raised by the tectonic plates which is due by the push of the raising Rocky Mountains. The course of the river on the primitive flat land has not been change but the final altitude of the point of escape of the river in the ocean remain at the same altitude during the raising of the Colorado plain. So the river has to excavate its bed to evacuate the water down to the ocean level by using the best economic slope along its course. The flat land between the Rocky and the Appalachian mountains is stable so the Mississippi outlet in the ocean is always at the same elevation and the river slope is very low between the source and the outlet in the ocean. The river makes as the Colorado a lot of meanders to loose its energy to flow right on the surface of the plain where its produce catastrophic inundations. Good question.

Q. Do you want to be a scientist all of your life or do you want to do something else?

A. My name is Edmond. I am a scientist. When I was young I was very interesting to understand the things of the nature around myself. Why the time was running? Why the rivers were running? But I discover that how the river is running was more important that why. I am a human and not a robot and I have done many other things like an artist painter and a sculptor. I never ask myself if I am on the wrong way of my life but only to do the best where I am.

Q. What inspired you to become a scientist?

A. To understand and to know the things of this life and to discover the limit of the unknown. I am very happy to discover that we can understand so many things and it’s a real pleasure.

Q. What was the best part of going to Licancabur?

A. The best part was to reach the goal of the most difficult expedition activity to be at the summit of the volcano

Q. Would the atmosphere in Mars affect a person's age?

A. Yes. The atmosphere of Mars is not habitable. We need a space suit. This will affect seriously the life of human being. The gravity is much lower than of Earth and our body will have to adapt using our best reserve.

Q. How did you start a fire since it was so cold there?

A. A fire is independent if the ambient temperature. A Xmas candle for example burns when it is frozen outside. We use only gas to cook with any problem

Q. When we are actually able to live on Mars, will our food choices be limited?

A. When astronauts will be on Mars they will import from Earth with us their "cookies" and food adapted for their mission. In the far future we can produce our food on Mars in artificial greenhouse.

Q. Were you happy to get back?

A. Yes to answer your questions! The expedition was a marvelous experience. We are impatient to return to the Atacama and to come back again to answer new smart questions

Q. How did you dress while you were there? Did you need special clothing?

A. Yes absolutely. The mountaineering exercise needs special clothing to be protected from the cold, the wind and to be designed for climbing. We have helmets, good sunglasses to be protected from UV radiations. Mountaineering clothing and shoes and special gears are quite expensive and you need a good professional advice for your choice

Asked by Mrs. King's 8th grade class at Vista Middle School in Red Bluff, CA on 12/18/2002 10:00:25

These were answered by David Fike.

Q. Did everyone get along during the expedition?

A. One of the most important factors that needs to be considered in creating a
team, particularly one that will go into the field where team members are likely to have to depend upon each other for their lives, is how the team members will interact. We were lucky in that most of the team members had known each other and were friends prior to the start of the expedition. This proved very beneficial during the expedition, by strengthening the bonds between team members. While each person may have had different ideas about how best to investigate particular scientific questions or tackle logistical issues, our friendship and respect for one another enabled us to work as a team to accomplish our goals, even under the added stress of conducting comprehensive fieldwork on a very limited schedule in more than occasionally adverse weather.

Q. What survival tips could you give us if I was in that atmosphere?

A. The atmosphere wasn't technically the biggest problem. First was cold. Second was water and then food. But technically, at 6,000 m the air is too thin to survive for extended periods (many months) and I believe that anyone that decided to live there would die. Below about 5,800m (19,000ft) it is possible to live and be fully acclimatized. I would recommend a regimen similar to the one we followed: increase in elevation slowly day by day and increasing in activity slowly as you get acclimatized to a given elevation.

Q. What is the pressure of the water in the lake and does it vary?

A. At the surface of the lake, the pressure is approximately 0.4 atm, or 40% of atmospheric pressure at sea level. The pressure varies with depth in the same way as it does for any freshwater system, increasing by approximately 1.0 atm every 10 m (33 ft). Thus, water at a depth 6 m (20 ft) would feel a pressure of 1.0 atm, equivalent to the pressure that the water surface at sea level.

Q. How many samples of the water did you take from the lake at the top of the mountain?

A. I brought down ten samples from the summit lake of Licancabur: 5 samples of shallow water near the shore; 4 samples of lake sediment from near the shore; and 1 sample of water from deep within the lake (which was collected by Nathalie).

Q. How did you ration out your water on your trip?

A. While we stayed at the Refuge, we had a steady supply of water brought from San Pedro de Atacama. However, during the ascent of Licancabur, the water we could bring with us was limited by the amount of equipment that could be carried up the mountain. We determined that it would be best to have a minimum of 2 liters of water per person for each day we were on the mountain - in addition to water needed for preparing food and hot drinks to keep us warm. On our own, we would not have been able to bring sufficient water up the mountain. However, we were aided by several local porters, who enabled us to carry much more equipment up the mountain during the ascent than would have otherwise been possible. In addition, the porters were able to begin bringing supplies, including water, up the mountain in the days prior to our ascent. Again, there was a limit to how far in advance we could prepare: if the water stayed more than 1 day on the mountain before we drank it, it would freeze solid and be of no use to us! So, it was rather complicated determining how to ration the water.

Q. Can you walk on the lake since it is frozen?

A. While the lake was not frozen during our expedition, it is frozen for much of the year. During an expedition in September 1984, the lake was covered with 80 cm (2.7 ft) of ice. Not only could members of that expedition walk on the lake, but it took them two entire days to drill through the ice to get at the water. We were pretty lucky!!

Q. Did you get to speak to your family while on the expedition?

A. I was able to speak with my family while in San Pedro de Atacama at the beginning and end of the expedition. However, some of the team members were able to speak with their families during the expedition using the satellite phone to call them directly from the field. It was often very difficult for us to spend so much time away from our friends and family, but missing them so much helped us to realize how much they really matter
to us.

Asked by Almina's 10th grade class at Gal in Gaziantep, Turkey on 1/5/2003 7:29:15 AM.

Q. How did you find each other? With web ways or did you meet each other?

A. The whole expedition was coordinated through Dr. Nathalie Cabrol. She was able to contact each of us, from previous experience working in the field and with other projects.

Asked by Janice Farmer's 8th grade class at Maywood Middle School in Corning, Ca on 1/9/2003 1:23:55 PM.

Q. Did you bring back sand?

A. We did not bring back sand, but we were able to bring back rock samples, core samples( samples of the mud) and water samples, which are all currently being analyzed.

Asked by Adams's 12th grade class at Mount Calvary Christian Academy in Robbinsvill, NC on 1/29/2003 11:21:53 AM.

Q. What country now owns Easter Island?

A. From what I have read, Easter Island is part of the country of Chile. For more information you can type in Easter Island into any search engine and get even more data about it!

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