Unit name | Physical Volcanology |
---|---|
Unit code | EASC30062 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6) |
Unit director | Professor. Rust |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Undergraduates: Successful completion of years 1 and 2 of the Environmental Geoscience, Geology or Geophysics degree programme curriculum MSc Volcanology students: none |
Co-requisites |
n/a |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit explores how volcanoes work. The overall aim is to develop an understanding of the physics of volcanic processes and apply this knowledge to understanding volcanic eruptions and the geology of volcanoes.
Topics such as the properties of magma and the kinetics of crystallization and vesiculation will be linked to the dynamics of various styles of volcanic eruptions. Students will learn how models built with basic physics, chemistry and fluid dynamics provide insights into how and why volcanoes erupt. They will also learn how to infer processes that occurred during volcanic eruptions from studying eruption products.
Finally, the field of volcanology will be related to other fields including climatology, petrology, engineering, natural resources and hazards.
Worked solutions and general feedback on practical assignments will be posted on Blackboard. Analogue experiments will be done in groups and formative feedback on the design, analysis and interpretation of the experiments will provided through small-group discussions with the unit director.
Students should be able to:
The unit will be taught through a combination of
Students who either begin or continue their studies in an online mode may be required to complete laboratory work, or alternative activities, in person, either during the academic year 2020/21 or subsequently, in order to meet the intended learning outcomes for the unit, prepare them for subsequent units or to satisfy accreditation requirements.
End-of-unit timed open-book examination (100%)
Recommended
Further Reading
Relevant journal articles will also be included on Blackboard.