By: Lila Alvarado
I am an undergraduate at the University of Missouri – Kansas City working towards my Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science with a Geology Emphasis. I plan to take the National Association of State Boards of Geology Fundamentals exam as soon as I am finished with my required courses. After I attend an accredited Field Camp program, I hope to be employed as an entry-level Geologist and work under a Senior Geologist until I am ready to take the Practice of Geology exam and pursue full licensure as a Professional Geologist.
This summer, my undergraduate research project examines archeoseismology and geologic hazards in an earthquake-prone region. I will be traveling to Antigua, Guatemala for two weeks with my faculty mentor, paleoseismologist/archeoseismologist Dr. Tina Niemi, and my friend Elizabeth Feldkamp, an undergraduate in UMKC’s Urban Planning and Design program.
On our research trip, I will conduct an archival search for materials and a field investigation on the severity and distribution of damage from the Magnitude 7.5 earthquake Antigua experienced in 1976. I will compare that data with a detailed ground motion map created in 2025 using an ambient noise seismic survey. I will also sample building materials from a church built in 1657 to conduct geologic tests to learn more about the building and repair phases of the church associated with seismic events. This research will benefit regional hazards assessments and preservation efforts in Antigua, Guatemala.
Doing research will help me put together geological concepts I’ve learned in different classes and apply them to real-world situations. I will be practicing techniques that real geologists use, including taking samples, keeping field notes, and utilizing tools like X-ray diffraction and petrographic microscopy. Traveling internationally, writing grant proposals, and presenting my research are new experiences as well. My undergraduate research will help me explore my interests in my field and give me real examples to talk to potential employers about. It is exciting to be a part of a project with real impact for a community.
We leave for Antigua, Guatemala soon, in early June! After checking in to our hostel and getting settled, we plan to enter a routine of data collection first thing in the morning, then wrapping up by early afternoon, returning to our hostel to rest, type up our notes or work with our data, or to make local excursions. Since Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a popular tourist destination, and I have heard there are charming coffee shops and local markets to explore. I also hope to fit in a hike, as I am very excited to experience the climate, ecosystems, and geology of the region.
I am mestizo myself, though I was born in the United States. As such, I am interested to explore the history of the Maya peoples in the first Spanish colony in the New World. It is my first time traveling internationally, so I am excited to experience the culture of Antigua.
Some sightseeing is built into our research collection. We are lucky that our work will already take us to several beautiful and historically notable sites. Since the project is a collaboration with the Consejo Nacional para la Protección de Antigua Guatemala (CNPAG, National Council for the Protection of Antigua Guatemala), we will work at the archive at the CNPAG office located in the historic Capuchinas Convent. I plan to take geologic measurements of the structure of the San Agustín church, which is currently a museum and protected site.
I am grateful to be a recipient of the UMKC Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities (SUROP) Grant and the Tyler Center Fellowship. I applied for and received my passport this spring, underwent training on our department’s portable X-ray diffraction equipment, and have been reading about the history and geology of the region in preparation for the trip. I have some last travel preparations to complete, but I am excited to update with pictures and stories of the research trip soon.
Caption: Cassius, my cat, supervises preliminary packing efforts.
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