Social volcanology refers to the integration of social science research methods into the traditionally physical domain of volcanology. This emerging multi-methodological research area draws from many disciplines in order to examine hazard-mitigation strategies that are community focused. A key facet of social volcanology is the role of culture and this paper explores the influence of traditiona...

Volcanic eruptions are often very destructive events, having a massive impact on the natural and human environment. In order to mitigate the effect of volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic flows, lahars and tsunamis it is necessary to closely monitor volcanoes. Ground surface deformation is recognised as a reliable indicator of an impending eruption and can give clues to magmatic processes at de...

Studies of the respiratory health effects of different types of volcanic ash have been undertaken only in the last 40 years, and mostly since the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. This review of all published clinical, epidemiological and toxicological studies, and other work known to the authors up to and including 2005, highlights the sparseness of studies on acute health effects after erup...

Risk assessment of rare natural hazards— such as large volcanic block and ash or pyroclastic flows— is addressed. Assessment is approached through a combination of computer modeling, statistical modeling, and extreme-event probability computation. A computer model of the natural hazard is used to provide the needed extrapolation to unseen parts of the hazard space. Statistical modeling of the a...

Magmatic intrusions and volcanic eruptions are intimately related phenomena. Shallow magma intrusion builds subsurface reservoirs that are drained by volcanic eruptions. Thus, the long-held view is that intrusions must precede and feed eruptions. Here we show that explosive eruptions can also cause magma intrusion. We provide an account of a rapidly emplaced laccolith during the 2011 rhyolite e...

INTRODUCTION The use of satellite techniques provides valuable information for mapping ash hazards, as well as the means to study and predict the fates of volcanic clouds. We have used ultraviolet (TOMS – Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) and infrared (e.g., AVHRR – Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer; HIRS2 – High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2; GOES – Geostationary Operational E...

The Ethiopian Rift Valley hosts the longest record of human co-existence with volcanoes on Earth, however, current understanding of the magnitude and timing of large explosive eruptions in this region is poor. Detailed records of volcanism are essential for interpreting the palaeoenvironments occupied by our hominin ancestors; and also for evaluating the volcanic hazards posed to the 10 million...

When volcanoes erupt, lava flows are what concern many people. But as air traffic increases, some scientists at agencies in the U.S. and abroad—including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and NASA—also are focusing on how to avoid costly and potentially deadly problems that can arise from volcanic ash clouds. The clouds can rise into the ...

The 12 research papers and two summaries of conference discussion sessions contained in this Theme Issue build upon presentations and dialogue at the Third Johnston–Lavis Colloquium held at University College London in September 2009. The meeting brought together delegates from the UK, Europe and the USA to address the issue of climate forcing of geological and geomorphological hazards, with a ...