Volcanology

Theory :

• Volcanoes of the World; classic eruptions; history of volcanology
• Magma generation, volcanoes and tectonic processes; magmatic plumbing systems
• Eruptive styles ; effusive and explosive eruptions
• Dynamics of explosive eruptions; volcanic deposits
• Hydrovolcanism
• Volcano monitoring: seismology, ground deformation and gas monitoring
• Volcanoes and Society: Hazard and Risk; crisis management; volcanic resources
• Group discussion on a (recent) volcanic crisis

Excursion :

• Eifel volcanic field, Germany: monogenetic volcanism, phreatomagmatic volcanism, pyroclastic deposits, aspects of volcanoes and society

Project / Group work :

• Desk study volcanic hazard assessment report on a volcano of choice (from a selected list)

• Understand and explain the role of volcanoes on Earth
• Explain different eruptive styles and their resulting deposits and landforms
• Understand the principles and primary methods of volcano monitoring
• Explain concepts of hazard and risk, volcanoes and society
• Provide an assessment of volcanic hazard (and risk) on a given case study
• Write a professional report
• Field trip: Recognize different types of volcanic landforms and deposits in the field

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

Basic notions of earth sciences: the Earth's structure, plate tectonics, magmatic evolution, etc. 

Theory classes: face-to-face or online, depending on public health conditions. Some theory classes may contain an interactive exercise to demonstrate the concepts taught. Some classes may be replaced by podcasts / videos. 

Field trip (one weekend in late April or early May): compulsory for MA-GEOL students (except in case of force majeure, or other reasons prohibiting participation, to discuss with the course coordinator before the field trip); optional for other students

Group work (written report): in teams of 3-5

Contribution to the teaching profile

This course provides the student with a comprehensive introduction to the science of volcanology. The course is intentionally designed to highlight the multidisciplinary character of modern volcanology, including fundamental physical volcanology, volcano monitoring, hazard assessment and risk management. Many of these concepts are transferable to other disciplines in the geosciences. As such, this course prepares the student to think about geoscience in an applied societal context. 
A major task in the course is a group work (in teams of 3-5 students) to be presented as a professional desk study report and aimed at a non-specialist audience. Ideally, students of different backgrounds work together on this report so they learn to work in a multidisciplinary team. 

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

• Sigurdsson et al (2015) The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, 2nd Edition, Academic Press, 1421 pp
• Lockwood JP, Hazlett RW (2010) Volcanoes - Global Perspectives, Wiley-Blackwell, 539pp
• Parfitt EA, Wilson L (2008) Fundamentals of Physical Volcanology, Blackwell, 230pp
• Recent review articles, distributed by the course coordinator

Course notes

• Syllabus

Additional information

A small financial contribution is requested to organise the field trip.

Contacts

Karen Fontijn
Karen.Fontijn@ulb.be
02/6502237

Corentin Caudron
Corentin.Caudron@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• written examination
• Group work
• Other

written examination

Group work

Other

Theory: written open-book exam, immediately followed by a short oral discussion of the written exam. A book with slides from the course notes will be distributed during the exam. If public health conditions do not allow in-person evaluations: oral open-book exam on Teams, with time to prepare.

Written report (in groups of 3-5): to be handed in during the second semester (exact deadline to be agreed at the start of the course). The expected modalities will be explained during the first lecture and on UV, and an evaluation grid will be distributed. For this report, only one evaluation per academic year is possible.

Field trip: evaluation based on participation (interaction, motivation) during the field trip.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

For students participating in the field trip: 
Theory: 60%; Field trip participation: 10%; Report: 30%

For students not participating in the field trip: 
Theory: 70%; Report: 30%

Each part is mandatory in order to obtain a final mark.
In case of a mark below 7/20 for one part of the evaluation, the course coordinators may decide to apply the lowest mark for the entire course, even if the overall mark is equal to or above 10/20. The student will then need to retake those parts for which the mark is below 10/20. 

Language(s) of evaluation

• english
• french