Current work and student
projects
Lunar Crater Volcanic
Field – This project focuses on
the physical volcanology and relationships between volcanism and structure in a
medium sized intraplate volcanic field dominated by monogenetic activity. The work is part of a broader effort in
the UB volcanology group to understand the plumbing of mafic systems,
transitions in eruptive styles, and the relationship between monogenetic and
polygenetic volcanism. This
research is the primary focus of Ph.D. student Amanda Hintz, and of M.S.
students Peter Johnson and Jamal Amin, and is being conducted in collaboration
with Joaquin Cortes (at UB), Elizabeth Widom (Miami University of Ohio), and
Eugene Smith (University of Nevada – Las Vegas).
Proximal pyroclastic flow
dynamics – numerical modeling and Vulsini, Italy – The transition between vertical, collapsing
flow and lateral flow in the proximal regions of large pyroclastic flow
eruptions, and the relationships between fluid dynamics and deposits, are still
poorly understood. This project is
focused on detailed field-based studies of proximal breccias of the Sovana
ignimbrite (Vulsini, Italy); it is the primary focus of M.S. student Sonja
Melander, and is part of a collaboration with Danilo Palladino (University of
Rome – La Sapienza).
Llaima volcanic system,
Chile – Llaima is an active
basaltic andesite volcano in southern Chile, which, every decade or so,
switches from a ÒnormalÓ passive degassing mode with mild Strombolian activity,
to more violent fountaining, lava flows, and small-scale pyroclastic
flows. Llaima is part of a larger
system that includes the main stratovolcano and many monogenetic scoria cone
volcanoes in the surrounding area.
As with our work at the Lunar Crater Volcanic Field, here we are working
to understand the plumbing of mafic systems, transitions in eruptive styles,
and the relationship between monogenetic and polygenetic volcanism. This project is the focus of Ph.D.
student Dawn Sweeney (E. Calder, principal advisor) and involves collaboration
with Eliza Calder and Joaqu’n Cortes (both at UB).
VHub –
Cyberinfrastructure for Volcano Eruption and Hazards
Modeling and Simulation – VHub is a major effort funded by the National Science
Foundation with the overarching goal to provide a mechanism for globally
collaborative research and development of computational models of volcanic
processes and their integration with complex geospatial, observational, and
experimental data. VHub will
promote seamless accessibility of appropriate models and data to organizations
around the world charged with assessing and reducing risk, reaching across resource
levels and cultural boundaries. VHub is an international effort and currently includes
partners in Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand, Japan, and Mexico.
Pyroclastic flow hazard
and ulnerability assessment at Galeras Volcano – This is a large effort aimed at probabilistic
hazard and risk assessment to cities and villages around the active Galeras
Volcano in southern Colombia. I am
interested in exploring innovative ways of integrating complex stakeholder
perceptions into quantitative pyroclastic flow risk assessment. The research includes a vulnerability
assessment project that combines the geologic record of lahars in the area of a
water treatment facility facility, modeling potential future scenarios, and
estimating the response of the structures to potential lahars; this was the
subject of M.S. student Missti BrownÕs research. The Galeras effort involves a large interdisciplinary group
from UB, Bristol University (UK), INGEOMINAS (the Colombian geological survey),
and Universidad de Nari–o (Pasto, Colombia).