2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5630M Volcanic Processes

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Prof Jurgen W Neuberg
Email: J.Neuberg@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE3171

Volcanic Processes

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module is intended to provide an overview of volcanic processes. Through a combination of lectures, practical classes and private study, students will :
i) become familiar with the various types of volcanic eruptions and their products;
ii) understand the physical controls on eruptive processes and the transport and deposition of eruption products;
iii) be aware of volcano monitoring and hazard assessment techniques, including their potential use and restrictions;
iv) have an understanding of the impact of volcanic activity on climate and
v) be aware of the issues related to communication of scientific results in the context of hazard and risk assessment;
vi) Master the theory of volcanic processes.

Coursework will have a strong emphasis on problem solving, so the student will master specialist techniques for quantitatively analysing geophysical problems. Students will gain discipline specific skills involving the understanding of volcanic sources and modern data processing, and have practical experience in reading volcanic monitoring time series.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
-distinguish various types of volcanic eruptions and their products,
-analyse the scope, strengths and weaknesses of different volcano monitoring techniques
-make use of simple equations to model physical and chemical magmatic processes,
-demonstrate expert knowledge of physical volcanology,
-explain the impact of volcanic activity on climate,
-explain the fundamental rules in communicating scientific results to decision makers and the public in the context of hazard and risk assessment

Syllabus

I- Introduction: distribution and tectonic settings of active volcanoes; volcanic products and landforms; eruption styles; perception of volcanoes as physical systems.
- Magma movement: dikes and diapirs; strain rates and rheology of magma and country rocks.
- Magma storage and initiation of eruptions.
- Near surface processes: magma ascent and gas exsolution.
- Links between magma rise speeds, rheology, gas content and eruption styles.
- Basaltic eruptions - types, associations with subsurface behaviour, repose times and eruption durations.
- Lava flow emplacement: influence of rheology, cooling and eruption rate.
- Plinian eruptions: airfall deposition, formation of pyroclastic flows and surges, associated hazards.
- Volcano monitoring and eruption prediction.
- Volcanoes and climate.

In addition 5 computer exercises to achieve expert knowledge in physical volcanology:
- Conduit flow, bubbles in magma, deformation, density, permeability and viscosity.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	16	1.00	16.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			114.00
Total Contact hours			36.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Reading and exam preparation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Via the VLE exercises and practical classes.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Computer Exercise	5 exercises over 10 weeks	30.00
Practical	-	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/08/2020 08:46:36

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