Rift volcanism: past, present and future
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Earth Sciences
Abstract
Early explorers called it Africa's Great Rift Valley, a narrow strip that runs for thousands of kilometres from Djibouti to Mozambique and is perhaps most famous for the vast herds of the Serengeti, mountain gorillas and dramatic landscapes of high peaks and fertile plains. The mountains and valleys are the signs of a continent slowly tearing apart. Moving apart more slowly than your finger nails grow, the African continent will one day split into two, creating a new ocean. As the Earth's crust stretches and thins - like plasticine when you pull it - rocks melt, and the resulting magma rises to the surface. The resultant eruptions have had a dramatic and varied impact on the landscape: great lakes have filled the holes left by enormous eruptions; eruptions of volcanic glass have created a chain of peaks, and wide fields are filled with scattered cones and lava flows. This volcanic landscape is hazardous - a recent report for the World Bank ranked 49 of Ethiopia's 65 volcanoes in the highest category of hazard uncertainty. The high temperatures associated with magma in the Rift Valley make it a rich source of carbon-neutral geothermal power. Multi-billion dollar investments by development agencies are driving a ten-fold expansion in the geothermal infrastructure in East Africa over the next decade.
However, the majority of scientific research has focussed on volcanoes in other tectonic settings, such as Hawaii and Japan, leaving the volcanoes of the East African Rift largely a mystery. For many of them, we can't even say when the last eruption look place and there is no monitoring equipment to detect the early stages of an upcoming eruption. The eruption of Nabro volcano in 2011 was a timely reminder of the potential threats. Situated on the frontier between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the area is remote and sparsely populated, yet the eruption caused 32 fatalities, displaced >5000 people and disrupted regional aviation. Had this eruption originated from one of other 29 volcanoes with the same perceived hazard, but in densely-populated central Ethiopia, the humanitarian and societal cost would have been considerable.
RiftVolc will focus on the volcanoes of the Main Ethiopian Rift in central Ethiopia. The aim is to understand their past behaviour, look for subtle signs of present-day activity and assess the threat posed to the infrastructure and people on and around them. RiftVolc will involve scientists from many disciplines working together to produce an integrated view of the past, present and future of the volcanoes in this region and compare it to other parts of East Africa and volcanoes elsewhere. Together we will spend several months out in Ethiopia, collecting samples, mapping the geology and deploying geophysical instruments, before returning to the lab to use analyse the data and create computer models of the results. Petrologists and geochemists will look at the lavas and ash to figure out the timing, size and style of past eruptions. Geophysicists will look for tiny earthquakes, changes in gravity, the passage of electrical currents and movements of the Earth's surface to understand the plumbing system feeding the volcanoes today. Finally, experts in hazard assessment will model possible scenarios and create a long-range eruption forecast for Ethiopia. We will work with our colleagues in the University of Addis Ababa and the Geological Survey of Ethiopia to ensure our findings are appropriate communicated to the government, industry and people of Ethiopia and with international groups such as the Global Volcano Model to communicate our results to development agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.
However, the majority of scientific research has focussed on volcanoes in other tectonic settings, such as Hawaii and Japan, leaving the volcanoes of the East African Rift largely a mystery. For many of them, we can't even say when the last eruption look place and there is no monitoring equipment to detect the early stages of an upcoming eruption. The eruption of Nabro volcano in 2011 was a timely reminder of the potential threats. Situated on the frontier between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the area is remote and sparsely populated, yet the eruption caused 32 fatalities, displaced >5000 people and disrupted regional aviation. Had this eruption originated from one of other 29 volcanoes with the same perceived hazard, but in densely-populated central Ethiopia, the humanitarian and societal cost would have been considerable.
RiftVolc will focus on the volcanoes of the Main Ethiopian Rift in central Ethiopia. The aim is to understand their past behaviour, look for subtle signs of present-day activity and assess the threat posed to the infrastructure and people on and around them. RiftVolc will involve scientists from many disciplines working together to produce an integrated view of the past, present and future of the volcanoes in this region and compare it to other parts of East Africa and volcanoes elsewhere. Together we will spend several months out in Ethiopia, collecting samples, mapping the geology and deploying geophysical instruments, before returning to the lab to use analyse the data and create computer models of the results. Petrologists and geochemists will look at the lavas and ash to figure out the timing, size and style of past eruptions. Geophysicists will look for tiny earthquakes, changes in gravity, the passage of electrical currents and movements of the Earth's surface to understand the plumbing system feeding the volcanoes today. Finally, experts in hazard assessment will model possible scenarios and create a long-range eruption forecast for Ethiopia. We will work with our colleagues in the University of Addis Ababa and the Geological Survey of Ethiopia to ensure our findings are appropriate communicated to the government, industry and people of Ethiopia and with international groups such as the Global Volcano Model to communicate our results to development agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.
Planned Impact
Beneficiaries
National Government (Devolved Government & Government Agencies)
- The Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy (IGSSA) at Addis Ababa University is the national organisation providing geophysical monitoring data and advice during unrest and eruptions, and the School of Earth Sciences advises on the character of past eruptions. There are no trained volcanologists in Ethiopia so they collectively provide scientific advice to the Ministry of Agriculture's Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS), the Civil Aviation Authority and Ethiopian Pilots Association during an eruption.
- The Geological Survey of Ethiopia's geoscience data, advice and services contributes to the sustainable development of the agricultural, industrial, infrastructure and other sectors of the Ethiopian economy.
International Organisations and Agencies.
- The IAVCEI Commission on Hazards and Risk links academic research to decision-makers, to reduce the impact of volcanic hazards.
- The Global Volcano Model (GVM) is an international network creating an information platform on volcanic hazard and risk, and is responsible for the volcano component of the biennial UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.
Commercial Sector (Public and Private Geothermal Energy)
- Reykjavik Geothermal Limited develops high enthalpy geothermal resources and will construct Africa's largest (1 GW, $4billion) geothermal power plant in our study area.
- Ethiopian Electrical Power Corporation (EEPCO) currently operates a 7MW geothermal power station in our study area, which they are expanding to 70MW.
We will deliver benefit by:
National Government
- Assist Ethiopian scientific partners to build institutional capacity and a volcano monitoring strategy for observations of, and response to, future unrest and eruptions based on information on past eruptions, the processes driving current unrest, and priorities for potential impacts. Enable IGSSA to establish real-time seismic and geodetic monitoring.
- With in-country partners involved in science advice, monitoring, aviation, national and regional administration, and civil protection, ensure our research responds to the needs of all sectors, and make recommendations for the future.
- Research outputs and methodologies supporting effective decision-making under conditions of uncertainty will assist with policy development to strengthen the resilience of people and assets exposed to volcanic hazards. Deliver to local stakeholders advice and a legacy of tools that are practical for use in a developing, low technology nation to determine optimum mitigation and resilience strategies, supporting Ethiopia's national response to the Hyogo Framework for Action international policy for disaster risk reduction. Enable DRMFSS to incorporate volcanic hazards into the local disaster risk profiling exercise.
International Organisations and Agencies
- Through organisations such as the GVM and IAVCEI commission, disseminate our results, share experience and practice applicable in a developing nation, and consult over the development of methodologies to underpin future global-scale analyses of volcanic risk.
- Transfer knowledge and contribute to policy through interaction with the UK Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and input to the National Risk Register.
Commercial Sector
- Collaborate with Rekjavik Geothermal and EEPCO to exchange data that inform geothermal exploration and production, and incorporate hazard analyses specific to rift volcanism to mitigate against potential future economic losses resulting from volcanic activity.
Activities detailed in the Pathways to Impact document will improve monitoring for early warning, facilitate science into policy supporting planning to build resilience, contribute to global data sets and volcanic risk modelling, increase the resilience of industry to support economic development, and facilitate better communities.
National Government (Devolved Government & Government Agencies)
- The Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy (IGSSA) at Addis Ababa University is the national organisation providing geophysical monitoring data and advice during unrest and eruptions, and the School of Earth Sciences advises on the character of past eruptions. There are no trained volcanologists in Ethiopia so they collectively provide scientific advice to the Ministry of Agriculture's Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS), the Civil Aviation Authority and Ethiopian Pilots Association during an eruption.
- The Geological Survey of Ethiopia's geoscience data, advice and services contributes to the sustainable development of the agricultural, industrial, infrastructure and other sectors of the Ethiopian economy.
International Organisations and Agencies.
- The IAVCEI Commission on Hazards and Risk links academic research to decision-makers, to reduce the impact of volcanic hazards.
- The Global Volcano Model (GVM) is an international network creating an information platform on volcanic hazard and risk, and is responsible for the volcano component of the biennial UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.
Commercial Sector (Public and Private Geothermal Energy)
- Reykjavik Geothermal Limited develops high enthalpy geothermal resources and will construct Africa's largest (1 GW, $4billion) geothermal power plant in our study area.
- Ethiopian Electrical Power Corporation (EEPCO) currently operates a 7MW geothermal power station in our study area, which they are expanding to 70MW.
We will deliver benefit by:
National Government
- Assist Ethiopian scientific partners to build institutional capacity and a volcano monitoring strategy for observations of, and response to, future unrest and eruptions based on information on past eruptions, the processes driving current unrest, and priorities for potential impacts. Enable IGSSA to establish real-time seismic and geodetic monitoring.
- With in-country partners involved in science advice, monitoring, aviation, national and regional administration, and civil protection, ensure our research responds to the needs of all sectors, and make recommendations for the future.
- Research outputs and methodologies supporting effective decision-making under conditions of uncertainty will assist with policy development to strengthen the resilience of people and assets exposed to volcanic hazards. Deliver to local stakeholders advice and a legacy of tools that are practical for use in a developing, low technology nation to determine optimum mitigation and resilience strategies, supporting Ethiopia's national response to the Hyogo Framework for Action international policy for disaster risk reduction. Enable DRMFSS to incorporate volcanic hazards into the local disaster risk profiling exercise.
International Organisations and Agencies
- Through organisations such as the GVM and IAVCEI commission, disseminate our results, share experience and practice applicable in a developing nation, and consult over the development of methodologies to underpin future global-scale analyses of volcanic risk.
- Transfer knowledge and contribute to policy through interaction with the UK Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and input to the National Risk Register.
Commercial Sector
- Collaborate with Rekjavik Geothermal and EEPCO to exchange data that inform geothermal exploration and production, and incorporate hazard analyses specific to rift volcanism to mitigate against potential future economic losses resulting from volcanic activity.
Activities detailed in the Pathways to Impact document will improve monitoring for early warning, facilitate science into policy supporting planning to build resilience, contribute to global data sets and volcanic risk modelling, increase the resilience of industry to support economic development, and facilitate better communities.
Publications
Airey M
(2017)
The distribution of volcanism in the Beta-Atla-Themis region of Venus: Its relationship to rifting and implications for global tectonic regimes
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Biggs J
(2021)
Volcanic activity and hazard in the East African Rift Zone.
in Nature communications
Braddock M
(2017)
Satellite observations of fumarole activity at Aluto volcano, Ethiopia: Implications for geothermal monitoring and volcanic hazard
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Colby D
(2022)
Stratigraphy and eruptive history of Corbetti Caldera in the Main Ethiopian Rift
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Fontijn K
(2018)
Contrasting styles of post-caldera volcanism along the Main Ethiopian Rift: Implications for contemporary volcanic hazards
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Gleeson M
(2017)
Constraining magma storage conditions at a restless volcano in the Main Ethiopian Rift using phase equilibria models
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Hunt J
(2020)
Morphological comparison of distributed volcanic fields in the Main Ethiopian Rift using high-resolution digital elevation models
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Hunt J
(2019)
The Geomorphology, Structure, and Lava Flow Dynamics of Peralkaline Rift Volcanoes From High-Resolution Digital Elevation Models
in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Hunt J
(2017)
Spatially Variable CO 2 Degassing in the Main Ethiopian Rift: Implications for Magma Storage, Volatile Transport, and Rift-Related Emissions
in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Hutchison W
(2016)
The eruptive history and magmatic evolution of Aluto volcano: new insights into silicic peralkaline volcanism in the Ethiopian rift
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Hutchison W
(2016)
A pulse of mid-Pleistocene rift volcanism in Ethiopia at the dawn of modern humans.
in Nature communications
Hutchison W
(2016)
Causes of unrest at silicic calderas in the East African Rift: New constraints from InSAR and soil-gas chemistry at Aluto volcano, Ethiopia
in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Hutchison W
(2015)
Structural controls on fluid pathways in an active rift system: A case study of the Aluto volcanic complex
in Geosphere
Hutchison W
(2018)
The evolution of magma during continental rifting: New constraints from the isotopic and trace element signatures of silicic magmas from Ethiopian volcanoes
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Iddon F
(2019)
Mixing and Crystal Scavenging in the Main Ethiopian Rift Revealed by Trace Element Systematics in Feldspars and Glasses
in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Poppe S
(2016)
Holocene phreatomagmatic eruptions alongside the densely populated northern shoreline of Lake Kivu, East African Rift: timing and hazard implications
in Bulletin of Volcanology
Tadesse A
(2022)
Eruption frequency and magnitude in a geothermally active continental rift: The Bora-Baricha-Tullu Moye volcanic complex, Main Ethiopian Rift
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Vidal C
(2022)
Geochronology and glass geochemistry of major Pleistocene eruptions in the Main Ethiopian Rift: Towards a regional tephrostratigraphy
in Quaternary Science Reviews
Description | The Main Ethiopian Rift (MER, ~7-9°N) is the type example of a magma-assisted continental rift. The rift axis is populated with regularly spaced silicic caldera complexes and central stratovolcanoes, interspersed with large fields of small mafic scoria cones. The recent (latest Pleistocene to Holocene) history of volcanism in the MER is poorly known, and no eruptions have occurred in the living memory of the local population. Assessment of contemporary volcanic hazards and associated risk is primarily based on the study of the most recent eruptive products, typically those emplaced within the last 10-20 ky. We integrate new and published field observations and geochemical data on tephra deposits from the main Late Quaternary volcanic centres in the central MER to assess contemporary volcanic hazards. Most central volcanoes in the MER host large mid-Pleistocene calderas, with typical diameters of 5-15 km, and associated ignimbrites of trachyte and peralkaline rhyolite composition. In contrast, post-caldera activity at most centres comprises eruptions of peralkaline rhyolitic magmas as obsidian flows, domes and pumice cones. The frequency and magnitude of events varies between individual volcanoes. Some volcanoes have predominantly erupted obsidian lava flows in their most recent post-caldera stage (Fentale), whereas other have had up to 3 moderate-scale (VEI 3-4) explosive eruptions per millennium (Aluto). At some volcanoes we find evidence for multiple large explosive eruptions (Corbetti, Bora-Baricha, Boset-Bericha) which have deposited several centimetres to metres of pumice and ash in currently densely populated regions. This new overview has important implications when assessing the present-day volcanic hazard in this rapidly developing region. |
Exploitation Route | Update hazard maps and assessments of Ethiopian volcanism. Continued work with collaborators in Ethiopia |
Sectors | Energy Environment Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism |
Description | We contributed our expertise to hazard elicitations run by the BGS for the World Bank (2015), and for the BGS Earth Hazards and Observatories Programme (OPEN FILE REPORT OR/18/061 2018, and 2020). Building on our African partnerships, Fontijn, Pyle and Prof. Mariita (DEKUT Kenya) led a GCRF workshop on 'Volcanic and Geothermal Resources for Sustainable Development in the East African Rift' in Kenya in 2018. This brought together academic, government and professional geothermal scientists from 6 countries in Africa, and catalysed new collaborations, now led by Fontijn in Kenya. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Education,Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Consultant Cope Disaster Campions 'Volcanoes' empowering children in disaster risk reduction |
Geographic Reach | Australia |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | Better Natural Hazards preparedness for children |
URL | https://cope-disaster-champions.com/ |
Description | GCRF Networking Grant |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 12/2018 |
Description | The Magmatic Evolution of Geothermally Active Volcanoes in Ethiopia |
Amount | £8,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wiener-Anspach Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 12/2021 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | Addis Ababa University, AAU |
Organisation | Addis Ababa University |
Department | School of Earth Sciences |
Country | Ethiopia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Research training visit by Amdemichael Tadesse Zafu, long-term field assistant and assistant lecturer at AAU School of Earth Sciences, 31/07/16 - 27/08/16. He received training in sample preparation for whole rock geochemical analysis, XRF, GIS and MELTS. After his visit, additional trace element data were collected by ICP-MS (Dec 2016 and Jan 2017). |
Collaborator Contribution | The entire dataset is now with him and results are being interpreted to prepare for publication. |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Karen Fontijn |
Organisation | University Libre Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles ULB) |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Working on Corbetti volcano and analysing samples here in Oxford for wider Ethiopia work |
Collaborator Contribution | Karen has analysed samples for us and shared ideas |
Impact | D.J. Colby, D.M. Pyle, K. Fontijn, T.A. Mather, A.A. Melaku, M.A. Mengesha and G. Yirgu, Stratigraphy and Eruptive History of Corbetti Caldera in the Main Ethiopian Rift, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 428, 107580, 2022. (doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2022.107580) |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | 'A life volcanic' A blog contributed as part of marking the 40th anniversary of the admission of women to St John's College, Cambridge |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | A life volcanic' A blog contributed as part of marking the 40th anniversary of the admission of women to St John's College, Cambridge |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://johnian.joh.cam.ac.uk/news/a-life-volcanic/ |
Description | BBC Radio 4 Infinite Monkey Cage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I participated on the panel of The Infinite Monkey Cage episode 'Supervolcanoes' with Brian Cox, Robin Ince, comedian Rachel Parris and Chris Jackson on BBC Radio 4. (Broadcast July 2023) - it is also a podcast |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ng4w |
Description | CEED University of Oslo key note at end of grant wrap-up meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Celebrating the end of their grant |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Christmas STEM lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 30 minute lecture on volcanoes and volcanic activity, followed by 1 hour interactive and hands-on workshop led by students and researchers, which was run for local school groups (Year 9). The audience was 150. The activity was used to provide training for three undergraduate volunteers who had no previous public engagement experience; and opportunities for more senior researchers (PhD students and post-docs) to develop their engagement skills, and to lead on a set of different activities. The level of engagement was impressive, given the concerns around COVID. We expect to get more complete evaluation data in the next few weeks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Costing the Earth |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed as part of Lava: A Dangerous Game |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b055g73y |
Description | Department seminar University of Oslo |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Research seminar to atmospheric sciences department |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Dippy In-Depth event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Speaker at Dippy In-Depth event (Ulster Museum in partnership with the NI Science Festival) Earth |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://nisciencefestival.com/event.php?e=20 |
Description | Expert contributor Mars Diary |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Expert contributor Mars Diary (A free primary STEM programme supported by the UK Space Agency) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.marsdiary.org/experts/tamsin-mather/ |
Description | George and the Blue Moon |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I wrote a science essay in a children's book |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://www.penguin.co.uk/puffin/books/1097513/george-and-the-blue-moon/ |
Description | Life Scientific |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 30 min programme on Radio 4's Life Scientific broadcast at 9am and via podcast |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08t0d3w |
Description | NHK World Direct Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Filmed a short profile for the Japan international channel |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2058902/ |
Description | New Scientist Live |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | New Scientist Live science festival in London |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://live.newscientist.com/speakers/tamsin-mather |
Description | Oxford Science Blog on impacts of volcanic gases |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Wrote a blog about fieldwork |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/science-blog/living-volcanic-gases-0 |
Description | Pint of Science |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Pint of Science presentation in a pub |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/volcanic-violence-and-magnetic-madness |
Description | School STEMFEST |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Workshop and talks for Year 10 students to encourage participation in STEM to A-level and beyond |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | School activities and science fairs (Oxford) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We have a set of engaging and hands-on activities around volcanoes and volcanic activity which we us regularly to engage with primary-school groups, and as demonstrations at science fairs and open days. In 2023, we ran a version of this at the 'Volcano Day' in the Natural History Museum, London as a part of an ongoing collaboration with colleagues at University of East Anglia. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
Description | The 14th Peter Lindsay memorial lecture presented by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The 14th Peter Lindsay memorial lecture presented by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG352C4x1c0 |
Description | The Conversation piece about Icelandic volcanic activity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | David Pyle and myself were asked to write a blog about the building activity in the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/iceland-on-high-alert-for-volcanic-eruption-what-we-know-so-far-217605 |
Description | The Forum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Panel discussion The Unpredictable Planet: Understanding Volcanoes and Earthquakes on BBC World Service |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p041svq3 |
Description | The Infinite Monkey Cage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Part of a panel on The Infinite Monkey Cage with Brian Cox, Robin Ince, comedian Jo Brand and Clive Oppenheimer on BBC Radio 4. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09r47j1 |
Description | The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | First digital presentation in its 218 years of existence |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | University of Cardiff evening lecture series in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Evening lecture |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Virtual MoD DST lecture series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Part of the defence science and technology lecture series |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Volcanoes - an exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I curated a public exhibition to run at Oxford's Weston Library from 10 February 2017 - 21 May 2017. This event attracted a lot of media coverage (print, radio and television), and parallel activities, ranging from workshops to public talks. During the exhibition over 50,000 people visited. Over 100 articles about the exhibition were published in the press, with a notional reach of 200 million potential readers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson/whats-on/upcoming-events/2017/feb/volcanoes |