Mt Ruapehu is the largest mountain on the North Island of New Zealand. As well as being a popular ski resort, Ruapehu is an active andesitic stratovolcano. Formed approximately 200,000 years ago, activity is currently confined to the Crater Lake vent; this deep depression fills with water from snow melt between eruptive episodes. Similarly to the recent eruption of Mount Ontake in Japan, Ruapehu h ...[Read More]
GeoSphere
I’m on TV!!
About a year ago I was asked to appear as a guest on a kids television show about rocks and minerals called Finding Stuff Out. I was asked to come an talk about rocks, minerals, geology in general and how I got interested in geology. The show is for 8-10 year olds and it is truly fantastic! It has a really interesting format where kids actually ask questions and the host, Harrison, answers them wi ...[Read More]
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Alumnus profile #6 – Dr Sam Engwell
Dr Sam Engwell Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher, INGV PhD title “Dynamics and Deposits of Large Explosive Eruptions” 1) The Twitter Challenge: Describe your PhD in 140 characters Investigation of eruption processes during supereruptions by analysis of deposits in deep-sea sediments.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Science Snap (#33): Earth Science Week
James Hickey is a PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. A geophysicist and volcanologist by trade, his PhD project is focussed on attempting to place constraints on volcanic unrest using integrated geodetic modelling. Earth Science Week is an international initiative to promote the great work that goes on in the geoscience community. It encompasses a huge range ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Images of Guatemala (2) – Pyroclastic Flow Deposits
Pyroclastic Flow Deposits close to Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala. The scale of these deposits, formed in 2012, can be seen against the scale of the person standing in the background [dark line, just above the red shrub]. Pyroclastic flows, alongside lahars, are two of the most significant and destructive volcanic hazards associated with Volcan de Fuego. You can read more about Fuego and its secondary ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Event Reminder: The Lost World of Ladakh
EVENT REMINDER —- THE LOST WORLD OF LADAKH: RECLAIMING THE PAST, SUSTAINING THE FUTURE Venue: The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. 24 October 2014, 5.30pm – 8.30pm Tickets (£20) and Registration – www.geolsoc.org.uk/Lost-world-of-Ladakh The Geological Society recently co-organised an international conference in Leh, the capital of the historic Hi ...[Read More]
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Science snap (#32): Coral currents
KT Cooper is a PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. A carbonate geochemist by training, here she dives into the world of corals. Coral is misunderstood. It may look like a beautiful underwater plant, and for a long time it was thought to be one, but is in fact an invertebrate. The coral structures are colonies made up of individual small polyps. These produce a ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Landscapes of Ladakh (2)
Further photographs showing the varied landscapes of Ladakh, India. Photographs were taken as part of our hazards education work in the region. To see and learn more – why not come to this event at The Geological Society. (Credit: Geology for Global Development)
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Things I wish I knew when I started my PhD…
James Hickey is a PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. A geophysicist and volcanologist by trade, his PhD project is focussed on attempting to place constraints on volcanic unrest using integrated geodetic modelling. As the academic year begins again, new PhD students across the country (and further) are slowly settling into their fresh surroundings. I stayed a ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Images of Guatemala (1) – Volcan de Fuego
Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala. Taken from the adjacent peak of Acatenango, this photograph captures ones of the many small eruptions of the volcano named Fuego (the Spanish word for fire!). Fuego, formed by the subduction of the Cocos plate beneath the Caribbean plate, is an active basaltic stratovolcano. You can read more about Fuego and its eruptive history online here. (Credit: Geology for Global ...[Read More]