Undergraduate Course: Volcanology (EASC10091)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course provides an introduction to Volcanology and the various different fields this encompasses. Volcanic eruptions are one of the principal forces that affect and modify the Earths surface. The resulting volatile emissions not only replenish and maintain our atmosphere, but are also known to have significant impact on atmospheric properties and its circulation. Volcanism has also played a critical role in forming a significant fraction of mineral resources currently exploited by man. As such, volcanic phenomena influence directly or indirectly many (if not all) sub-disciplines of Earth Sciences. Consequently, a basic understanding of how volcanoes work and how they contribute to the Earth systems cycles is a valuable knowledge to any student in geosciences. |
| Course description |
Week 1: Global distribution of volcanic environments and their relation to Plate Tectonics
Week 2. Sub-volcanic magma reservoirs: modern technqiues investigating magma genesis
Week 3. Timescales of magmatic processes
Week 4: Magma migration and eruption triggering
Week 5. Volatiles: Behaviour of volatiles within magmas and how they affect the eruption behaviour
Week 6. Pyroclastic Density Currents
Week 7. Lahars/Volcanic hazards
Week 8. Lava flows and domes
Week 9. Volcano Monitoring
Week 9/10: One day field excursion to the volcanic succession exposed
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Earth Dynamics (EASC08001)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Entry level knowledge in Geology, Chemistry and Physics. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- 1. By the end of this Course, students will have knowledge of the basic principles of volcanism and its integration with other disciplines of Earth Sciences.
- 2. They will be able to explain the mechanism of various types of volcanic eruptions, interpret volcanic deposits and their stratigraphic successions.
- 3. They will develop understanding of potential impacts of volcanic eruptions and their links to natural hazards and human activities.
- 4. Enhance specialist knowledge and understanding, including a range of established techniques, specialist data and research methodologies.
- 5. To critical evaluate scienfitic literature and produce a review of the literature of a particular aspect of volcanology or volcano.
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Reading List
Volcanoes by Peter Francis and Clive Oppenheimer (2nd Edition)
Fundamentals of Physical Volcanology by Elisabeth A. Parfitt and Lionel Wilson.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Ability to manipulate and analyse data, synthesise a range of data including chemical and textural data relating to volcanic rocks |
| Keywords | Volcanology,eruptions,hazards,volcano monitoring,climate change |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Kate Saunders
Tel: (0131 6)50 2544
Email: Cinzia.Discolo@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: |
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