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

Guided exercises and practicals :

• Volume estimation of volcanic deposits
• Eruption source parameters and tephra dispersal modelling
• Tephrostratigraphy and correlation exercise

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

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. 

Guided exercises and practicals: combination of face-to-face introduction and supervision, and homework

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
• Université virtuelle

Additional information

Students in the MA-GEOL programme will benefit from the joint course GEOL-F408 "Volcanic Terrains Field Trip" to learn more about volcanic deposits in the field, and volcanoes and society.

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

• Open book examination

• Open question with developed answer
• Closed question True or False (T/F)

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. 

Exercises are not marked but it is compulsory to participate. 

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.

While the course is entirely taught in English, the exam, and the report, may be presented in French or in English. The choice of language for the evaluation will not have any influence on the final mark.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Theory: 70%; Report: 30%

Each part is mandatory in order to obtain a final mark.

The final mark is calculated by a weighted overall average of the different parts, which can be presented independently. Passing the entire teaching unit is conditional on the successful passing of each part with a mark of at least 7/20. The parts with a mark of less than 7/20 will have to be presented individually for the teaching unit to be passed, and the overall mark of the course will therefore be that of the partial mark not passed until the exam is retaken. Marks below 10/20 cannot be transferred. 

Language(s) of evaluation

• english
• french