Research

Researchers in the Volcano Dynamics Group are interested in understanding how volcanoes work, wherever they occur, even on other planets. The causes and effects of the Earth’s largest eruptions, from “super-volcanoes”, are studied because they can change the global environment. We also use measurements from the field, satellites and the laboratory to find out how smaller, more every-day, volcanoes work.

Our research, supported by NERC, the Royal Society, ESA, Earthwatch, Thermo-Nicolet, the Geological Society, and the Mineralogical Society, is focussed in three areas:

Dynamics of volcanic systems
Volcanic systems involve the linked processes of transport, storage and eruption of magma so we currently have research projects investigating all of these topics, several in collaboration with members of the Isotope Geochemistry Group.

Environmental impacts of volcanic activity
Volcanic eruptions can have detrimental effects on the environment, so the connections between volcanism and environmental impact are studied both in terms of the volcanic processes that can impact the environment, and the environmental responses to volcanically-induced forcings. Aspects of this research are done in collaboration with members of the Ecosystems Research Group.

Planetary and Solar System science
Several members of the Volcano Dynamics Group are active in planetary surface research. This includes working on data from recent Mars missions and leadership activities in the planning of the European Space Agency’s BepiColombo mission to Mercury. There is significant crossover, both in terms of membership and research, with the CEPSAR Planetary Surface Research Team.