Characteristic pre-eruptive behaviour has now been established for a handful of frequently active volcanoes. The most damaging eruptions are, however, infrequent, which presents challenges for understanding monitoring data from very large volcanic systems. How should we interpret, for example, deep earthquake swarms, ground deformation and gas emanations around huge subglacial volcanoes in Iceland?
These volcanoes that have the potential to cause significant disruption and death in the UK. I will describe how exciting advances in Earth Sciences have allowed us to use crystals in volcanic rocks as chronometers of pre-eruptive processes. We can study ancient and damaging eruptions and resolve the likely magma storage depth, pre-eruptive gas release and timescales of magma transport to within days, or, in some cases, hours. These findings can help to guide future volcano monitoring activities and transform our ability to coexist with volcanoes.
This talk is part of WOLFSON EXPLORES | Transformation |
About the Speaker
Dr John McLennan is Reader in Physics & Geology in the Department of Earth Sciences and a Fellow of Emmanuel College. John uses the chemistry of volcanic rocks to understand the physics of magma generation, transport, storage and eruption. His work is focussed on the behaviour of Icelandic volcanoes and he is striving to use the erupted products of enormous historical eruptions to improve our ability to identify the likely precursory signals for future damaging volcanic events. He has also been involved in submersible studies of undersea volcanoes in the Pacific, and investigations of modern and ancient volcanoes in a number of locations including Hawaii, the Galapagos, Reunion, Scotland, Oman, Italy, Libya and the Moon.
Follow him on Twitter @fayalite08
