In order to monitor the earth movements in the Phlegraean Fields, near Naples, the Osservatorio Vesuviano, together with other national and international research institutions, has installed two artificial reflectors which can monitor slow ground movement over specific features or locations of interest. The parabolic antenna is used to transmit the data to a geo-stationary satellite, which then tr ...[Read More]
Friday Photo (88): Volcanic Mud Pits
The Solfatara volcanic crater at Pozzuoli, part of the Campi Flegrei volcanic area, has many fumaroles and mud pools. The bubbling mud pits are created by rainwater and vapor condensation, which mix with the clay material present on the surface of the volcanic crater. The gas composition which spews out from the mud pit is varying (H2S, N2O, H2O, CH4, He, C); the liquid composition is as rich (Bor ...[Read More]
Guest Blog: Mount Vesuvius Today
Christopher Dimech is a PhD researcher at University College London. We wrote about the Roman eruption of Vesuvius, and the consequences for Pompeii and Herculaneum, on our blog in June. Chris has spent some time at the monitoring station near mount Vesuvius, and here gives us an insight into the kind of research that goes on there. Italy is much better prepared for volcanic hazards today than it ...[Read More]
Some Comments on Recent Earthquakes in Iran
In this article, Joel Gill and Faith Taylor write about the importance of reducing individual and community vulnerability in Iran. This post is written in response to the recent earthquakes in April 2013, and an article posted in the Guardian in 2010. In addition to their GfGD responsibilities, Joel and Faith are undertaking PhD research at King’s College London – investigating specifi ...[Read More]
Friday Photo (69): Geologists in the Field – on Top of the Fault
These two geologists are standing at the top of a fault in Greece. The large elevation has built up over successive earthquakes, each moving the right hand side a few meters higher than the downthrow side of the fault on the left. (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
Friday Photo (63): Active Geology – Mt Etna Spitting Lava
Following on from last week’s spectacular photo, we have a photo of an active vent at Mt Etna, Sicily. Credit: Robin Wylie (c) Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (62): Active Geology – Smoke from Mt Etna
For our first Friday photo of 2013, we have this incredible image of a smoking volcano, taken during field work at Mt Etna, Sicily. The tripod in the foreground is monitoring the composition of the volcanic gases. Credit: Robin Wylie (c) Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (61): Active Geology – River terraces in Kazakhstan
River terraces cutting into Cenozoic sediments in Kazakhstan. River terraces are flood plains that have moved away from the river, in this case because the land was vertically displaced during fault movement. Credit: Tim Middleton (c) Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (60): Active Geology – Displacement on a Fault, Kazakhstan
The ridges running across this Kazakhstan landscape are a result of displacement on an active fault. Credit: Tim Middleton. (c) Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (59): Active Geology – Icelandic Geyser
These two images show an Icelandic geyser when calm (top) and then when ‘erupting’ (Bottom). Historical reports associate increased activity in the geysers with earthquakes. (c) Geology for Global Development