The study methods of Volcanology. Explosive and effusive eruptions: dynamics and deposits. Volcanic hazards and risk. Chemical and physical properties of magmas, volatile species. Ascent of magmas and pre-eruptive processes.
R. Cas and J. Wright - Volcanic Successions: Modern and Ancient: A Geological Approach to Processes, Products and Successione, Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Scandone R. and Giacomelli L. (1998), VULCANOLOGIA - Principi Fisici e Metodi di Immagine, Liguori Editore, Napoli, 642pp.
Encyclopedia of Volcanoes by Bruce Houghton, H. Rymer, J. Stix, S. McNutt, H. Sigurdsson.
Handouts available during lectures
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: The distribution of the volcanic systems in the Earth and their morphological, geological and geochemical/petrologic characteristics. How the volcanoes work during their explosive and effusive processes.
Competence acquired Reconnaissance of the volcanic deposits and igneous rocks in the field. Definition of the volcanic hazard. Elements of fluido-dynamics processes. Sampling of volcanic gases.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):Definition of geochemical, petrologic and geophysics methods for the volcanic surveillance.
Prerequisites
Any scientific (triennial) degree
Teaching Methods
Teaching tools
Blackboard, video-projector for computer
Further information
requency of lectures, practice and lab. Frequency of lessons is highly recommended, but not mandatory; frequency of at least 2/3 of practice and lab is required
Office hours: by appointment
Type of Assessment
Oral examination and possible discussion of a scientific article in English.
Course program
Introduction to the volcanic processes and to the methodologies of volcanology. Relationships between volcanoes and men. The volcanic eruptions in the Earth. Classification of the eruptions: different methods. Morphology of the volcanoes. Dynamics of explosive processes with particular attention to the volcanic plumes. The products of effusive eruptions: lava flows and domes. The products of explosive eruptions: pyroclastic deposits and their textural and depositional characteristics. Lahar and debris avalanche. The Italian recent and active volcanic complexes. Structural, chemical and physical factors and rheological properties of the magmas. The volatile species in relation to the explosive fragmentation of magma. The volcanic gases and their sampling. Pre-eruptive magmatic processes and trigger of the eruptions. Volcanic hazard and risk.