Geodynamics

volcanic hazard assessment

Between the Volcano and the Deep Blue Sea: Tales from Montserrat (Part 1)

Lorenzo Mantiloni, edited by Michaël Pons and edited by Constanza Rodriguez Piceda October 9, 2024

A view of Soufrière Hills Volcano from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, May 16th, 2024.

In 1995, the Caribbean Island of Montserrat was shaken by the beginning of one of the most significant volcanic eruptions in recent history: one that profoundly changed the natural, social and economical landscape of the country. Three decades later, Soufrière Hills Volcano and its legacy of destruction still shape the lives of Montserrat’s people. Join us on the first part of our reportage and fi ...[Read More]

Modelling Magma Propagation in Three Dimensions – Or: How I Learnt to Stop Worrying and Love Simplicity

Lorenzo Mantiloni and edited by Michaël Pons November 22, 2023

Nature is complex, models not as much. A real eruptive fissure at Fagradalsfjall, Iceland, in 2022 (photo by Drumstick21, Wikipedia) is "fed" by a simulated dyke (modelled with SAM, Mantiloni et al., 2023) advancing in a stress field.

The crisis unfolding these days in Grindavík, Iceland reminds us of how important it is to forecast volcanic activity. Predicting the outcomes of volcanic unrest, or a magmatic intrusion making its way towards the surface, essentially amounts to three questions. Will there be an eruption? How much time before it starts? Where exactly will the eruption occur? Answering any of these questions is a d ...[Read More]