Natural hazards

Investigating Natural Hazards: From Earthquakes to Volcanic Eruptions

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Understanding the physical processes that drive natural hazards is central to protecting societies and infrastructure. Our research provides the fundamental knowledge and advanced technology required to model, forecast, and mitigate these risks. A primary focus is placed on the mechanics of Earthquakes. We examine how active faults shape landscapes, soils, and ecosystems in tectonically active regions, employing a mix of field geology, high-resolution remote sensing, and sediment deformation analysis. Crucially, we investigate the rheology of rocks—how they behave under external stresses—which governs phenomena like plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanism. Our work on fault rocks provides valuable information on grain-scale deformation processes deep in the Earth's crust; understanding these processes is essential to comprehending how earthquakes develop, which in turn helps us better deal with this natural hazard. Furthermore, we utilize and develop Rotational Seismology, integrating all aspects of rotational ground motion into Earth System Monitoring, which applies directly to the observation of earthquakes and is used in computational seismology to simulate realistic ground motion and earthquake rupture dynamics, exemplified by the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.

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We apply advanced Monitoring techniques across various domains of risk assessment. In volcanology, we study volcanic lightning and the electrification of volcanic plumes, where electrostatic charging impacts how ash is transported and chemically reacts. The lightning itself can be detected remotely, allowing for real-time mapping of ash plumes, providing a critical tool for hazard assessment and monitoring. Beyond terrestrial hazards, our research extends to the critical area of Space Weather. We engage in machine learning and high-performance simulations to predict the space plasma environment, which can be hazardous for satellites, navigation systems, and telecommunications, requiring continuous and sophisticated monitoring to ensure safety.

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Our department maintains a strong focus on Volcanoes, aiming to understand and predict explosive events. We study the rheological (flow) properties of magma, which control magmatic and volcanic processes. The properties of magma, particularly the exsolution of volatile gases into bubbles, are key to volcanic eruptions, as they drive magma buoyancy and control the eruption style and intensity. The concept of Columnar jointing in lavas and magmas is investigated because understanding how these cooling fractures form helps us characterize the deformation of volcanic edifices after new material emplacement, which is crucial for assessing stability. Similarly, we analyze how easily volatiles escape magma through transient porous networks, as this permeability dictates how explosive a volcanic system is. This research is supported by pioneering field initiatives like the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) in Iceland, which aims to improve eruption forecasting through the direct study of magma in the Earth’s crust.

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By combining deep geological knowledge with modern sensing and computational technology, our research links the fundamental mechanics of rock deformation, magma flow, and fault activity to the destructive potential of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Landslides, and Avalanches. Ultimately, this integrated approach enhances our capacity for hazard prediction and contributes to building more resilient communities against the diverse array of natural threats facing our planet.