Petrology Applied to Volcanic Activity
Using a variety of experimental, analytical and field based techniques the traditional geological subject of igneous petrology can be used to quantify physical processes and changes which take place in magma immediately prior to and during volcanic eruptions. Of particular interest to us are those processes which lead to changes in eruptive style and rates of sub-edifice volcanic degassing
BSE image of cumulate pyroxene from a Nea Kameni dacite
Volcanism in the Aegean (with David Pyle, University of Cambridge)
Carol Hunt is using experimental and petrological techniques to help quantify the pre-eruptive storage conditions of the Greek Islands of Nisyros and Nea Kameni (Santorini). Since the Minoan eruption of 1638 B.C. eruptions in the Santorini caldera have been of a comparatively restricted composition (dacite). These dacites are relatively crystal-poor and previous studies have inferred a shallow storage region. . In contrast the late stage eruptive products of Nisyros are highly porphyritic and very little is known about their pre-eruptive storage conditions. Carol's experiments will determine the range of conditions that these dacites have encountered prior to their eruption.
The 1939-41 Dafni lava flows and crater, Nea Kameni, Santorini
The sub-edifice degassing of Br and I (with Alex
Baker, UEA and Clive
Oppenheimer and Tony Cox, University of Cambridge and Richard Brooker, UCL)
This new NERC-funded project aims to take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the degassing of Br and I from magmas and their impact on the troposphere and beyond. Our contribution will be to take a look at the partitioning of Br and I between the melt and vapour phase and onto volcanic ash for the two study volcanoes.
Updated 30 June 2004 - Rosie Cullington