Explosive new science uses lasers to understand volcano eruptions
Predicting the time, duration and intensity of a volcano eruption is an extremely difficult yet imperative task. Those who remember the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland know how volcanic activity can wreak havoc on international travel and communications. More importantly, for the people who live in the surrounding communities of active volcanoes, the stakes of forecasting eruptions are quite literally life and death.
Volcanologists wielding lasers may sound like something out of science fiction, but it’s the science underlying new research published in Science Advances. In a case study of the 2021 eruption of La Palma on the Canary Islands, laser technology was used to assess the chemical composition of magma, offering insights into the the fluidity, explosiveness and hazard of eruptions.
It’s hoped this research will form the basis of a tremendous development in the forecasting, maintenance and recovery of eruptions. To discuss further, we’re joined by Associate Professor Teresa Ubide, volcanologist and research lead from The School of The Environment at The University of Queensland.
