Abstract: Southern Idaho’s Snake River Plain (SRP) is a volcanic wonderland. Initially forged by its passage over the Yellowstone hot spot, the SRP records a variety of eruptive styles and volcanic landforms that formed over the past 12 million years. Ranging from explosive, caldera-forming eruptions of ash and searing pyroclastic flows to benign, effusive eruptions of basaltic lava, the region hosts both classic and less obvious types of volcanoes. With its arid climate and youthful volcanism, the SRP’s volcanic landscape is relatively pristine and inviting to exploration and observation.  Join College of Southern Idaho geology professor and author Shawn Willsey as he guides you though this region’s fascinating geologic history as well as some of its most impressive volcanic features.

Biography: Shawn Willsey is a Distinguished Professor of Geology at the College of Southern Idaho where he has taught since 2004. He earned a BS in Geology from Weber State University and an MS in Geology from Northern Arizona University. Shawn is the author of Geology Underfoot in Southern Idaho and co-author of Roadside Geology of Idaho. He maintains a popular YouTube channel where he posts field-based geology videos. Shawn is a licensed professional geologist in Idaho and has led geologic field trips for various groups throughout the intermountain West as well as Iceland, Hawai’i, and Scotland. In addition to geology, Shawn also teaches whitewater rafting and rock climbing courses at CSI and is a licensed whitewater and climbing guide. He lives in Twin Falls with his family.