VOLCANIC HAZARD AND MONITORING
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher:
GABRIELE NATALE LANZAFAME
Expected Learning Outcomes
Understand eruptive processes and their effects in active volcanic environments through the geological analysis of volcanic structures and products. Ability to use field observations and analytical data to classify eruptive products, interpret volcanic systems within their geodynamic contexts, and reconstruct magmatic processes. To provide adequate knowledge of the hazard factors associated with volcanic activity, particularly effusive and explosive eruptions resulting in lava flows, pyroclastic fallout, gas emissions, and other related events such as tsunamis and lahars. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyze and interpret volcanic monitoring data for volcanic hazard assessment by integrating information from different monitoring techniques. They will be able to synthesize and effectively communicate technical and scientific results to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and prepare technical reports, in accordance with scientific and professional standards. Students will also be able to independently consult scientific literature, databases, and relevant regulatory frameworks, continuously update their knowledge, and integrate new scientific and technical advances into operational practices related to volcanic hazard assessment and monitoring.
Course Structure
21 hours (3 CFU) of lectures; 36 hours (3 CFU) of laboratory activity including didactic visits to volcanic areas and surveillance centers. All lessons will be held in English. If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Fundaments of volcanology, geochemistry, geophysics of solid Earth.
Attendance of Lessons
Mandatory
Detailed Course Content
Introduction
§ Review and alignment with the fundamentals of volcanology and global distribution of active volcanoes
§ Definition of Hazard and Risk assessment
Volcanic Hazard
§ Basaltic lava flow hazard
§ Volcanic ash impact and hazard
§ Pyroclastic density currents
§ Lahars
§ Volcanic gas and aerosol
§ Human and structural vulnerability
§ Volcanic Hazard and Risk map
§ Geostatistical models for the estimation of volcanic hazard
§ Mitigation interventions
Volcano monitoring techniques
§ History of volcano observations.
§ Overview of methods and models to forecast eruptions and identification of precursory signals.
§ Seismo-volcanic signals for the prediction of volcanic eruptions and vulnerability curve assessment.
§ Ground-deformation and gravity observations.
§ Satellite and thermal monitoring techniques.
§ Ground-based gas measurements vs remote sensing techniques: the use of MultiGAS instruments compared to COSPEC and DOAS spectrometry.
§ Common petrologic procedures and operative protocols during ongoing eruptions.
§ Physical and chemical models applied to volcanic products to constrain the pre-eruptive properties of magmas.
Practical exercise
Practical exercise on determining probability of eruption at Mount Etna using Microsoft Excel. The practical exercise will involve the collection of data on the frequency of eruptive events occurring in the summit area of Mount Etna. These data, obtained from institutional websites, will be analyzed by students using statistical methods in order to assess the probability of an eruptive event occurring within a given time period.
Visit to monitoring centres at Mt. Etna
Textbook Information
§ Dosseto A., Turner S.P. &Van Orman J.A. (2011). Timescales of magmatic processes: from core to atmosphere. Chapter 7. Wiley-Blackwell, 272 pp.
§ Latter, J.H. (1989). Volcanic hazards assessment and monitoring. In: Proceedings in Volcanology 1. Springer-Verlag, 625 pp.
§ Papale P. (2020). Forecasting and planning for volcanic hazards, risks and disasters. Elsevier, 708 pp.
§ Scarpa R. & Tilling R.I. (2012). Monitoring and mitigation of volcano hazard. Springer Berlin, 842 pp.
§ Shroder J.F. & Papale P. (2015). Volcanic hazards, risks and disasters. Elsevier, 532 pp.
§ Mader H.M. et al. (2006). Statistics in Volcanology. The Geological Society of London, 285 pp.
Course Planning
| | Subjects | Text References |
|---|
| 1 | Fundaments
of volcanology and global distribution of active volcanoes | Shroder & Papale (2015). |
| 2 | Definition of Hazard and Risk assessment | Mader et al. (2006); Scarpa & Tilling (2012); Shroder & Papale (2015); Papale P. (2020). |
| 3 | Basaltic lava flow and volcanic ash impact and hazard | Shroder & Papale (2015). |
| 4 | Pyroclastic density currents and lahars | Shroder & Papale (2015). |
| 5 | Volcanic gas and aerosol | Shroder & Papale (2015). |
| 6 | Human and structural vulnerability, volcanic hazard and Risk map. | Papale P. (2020). |
| 7 | Geostatistical models for the estimation of volcanic hazard. | Mader et al. (2006); Shroder & Papale (2015). |
| 8 | Mitigation interventions | Power point by lecturer |
| 9 | History of volcano observations, present status of volcano surveillance and future perspectives | Shroder & Papale (2015); Scarpa & Tilling (2012). |
| 10 | Overview of methods and models to forecast eruptions with identification of precursory signals | Papale (2020); Scarpa & Tilling (2012). |
| 11 | Seismo-volcanic signals for the prediction of volcanic eruptions | Papale (2020); Shroder & Papale (2015); Scarpa & Tilling (2012). |
| 12 | Ground-deformation and gravity observations | Scarpa & Tilling (2012); Papale (2020). |
| 13 | Satellite and thermal monitoring techniques | Scarpa & Tilling (2012). |
| 14 | Chemical characters of the gaseous phase in different stages of volcanism | Scarpa & Tilling (2012). |
| 15 | Ground-based gas measurements vs remote sensing techniques | Power point by lecturer |
| 16 | Petrological monitoring of active volcanoes. | Papale (2020). |
| 17 | Practical sessions | |
| 18 | Visit to surveillance facilities | |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The assessment will be carried out through multiple-choice and open-ended questions and will be complemented by an oral examination. The exam aims to evaluate the level of knowledge acquired by the student regarding the theoretical and methodological contents outlined in the course syllabus, as well as the ability to correctly present and discuss the acquired concepts. The assessment of learning outcomes may also be conducted remotely, if required by specific circumstances. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) Prof. Gabriele Lanzafame.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Definition of Volcanic hazard and risk.
Impact and hazard related to basaltic lava flow.
Describe the most common mitigation interventions during volcanic eruption.
The present status of volcano surveillance in the world.
Types of observations that may provide timely warnings of volcano reawakening.
Seismic methods for monitoring active volcanoes.
Geodetic measurements and instrumentation.
Recent advances in satellite remote sensing technology.
Variations in chemical properties of volcanic gases before eruptions.
Benefits of using COSPEC or DOAS spectrometry with respect to direct gas sampling methods.
Petrological monitoring procedures and disclosures.
Common models applied to unravel the physical-chemical properties of magmas and reconstruct pre-eruptive dynamics.
The importance of modelling the chemical record of volcanic crystals.
