Kids — explosion alert! A garbage can blast will simulate a volcanic eruption at the University of Hawaii-Mänoa campus today.

It's among an array of activities put on by the School of Ocean, Earth Science and Technology's biannual open house, "The Power of 10."

"The exploding can shows what happens when rapid expansion of a gas (in this case, nitrogen) from a semi-confined space (the garbage can) carries a fluid (water) along with it," said assistant professor of volcanology Julia Hammer.

"The same principle applies in an explosive eruption: H2O and other volcanic gases expand rapidly from confinement in the Earth, carrying liquid rock with it. In the volcanic example, the magma quickly solidifies into ash; and there are lots of other differences."

Using what happens when you shake a soda bottle, Hammer will explain how expanding gases can lead to very big bangs while preparing the experiment. "It makes science appear exciting and also teaches an authentic lesson about physical aspects of volcanology," she said.

In the Marine Science lab, Marcie Grabowski will show how underwater microphones (hydrophones) and computer programs help scientists keep tabs on the health of the ocean ecosystem and track where whales, dolphins and other animals live and play.

Or, suit up just like scientists do in Antarctica, when they go looking for meteorites. Hear about tsunamis, El Nino, planetary exploration, hurricanes, and see some of the coolest rock exhibits around. As SOEST says on its Web site: "Fashions come and go, but science is forever."