International workshops

MeMoVolc workshop on

The dynamics of volcanic explosive eruptions

University of Geneva, 29-31 January 2014

Our knowledge of volcanic eruptions has been traditionally based on visual observations and on the study of associated deposits. Such an approach has allowed for significant advances in modern physical volcanology, but fails to describe critical features of many eruptions, and particularly of small to moderate explosive eruptions. Better understanding of the mechanisms of explosive volcanism has large implications on the assessment of associated hazards. With this workshop we are proposing to combine the recent progress made in physical volcanology, numerical modeling, geophysics and volcano monitoring in order to formulate a more comprehensive framework for the study of explosive volcanic eruptions and better understand the fundamental processes and the main parameters driving such eruptions.

Main objectives of the workshop

  • reviewing new advances in our mechanistic understanding of a broad range of eruptive styles;
  • identifying the crucial parameters that drive and characterize explosive volcanism of different types, and the variations in eruptive regime;
  • determining the main processes that control the temporal evolution of the eruptions, and the frequently observed changes in eruptive style"
  • suggesting a roadmap to produce a new classification scheme in order to better understand eruptive dynamics.

Organizing Committee

Costanza Bonadonna, Earth and Environmental Sciences Section, University of Geneva, Switzerland

Raffaello Cioni, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Florence, Italy

Antonio Costa, INGV Bologna, Italy

Tim Druitt, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France