PhD opportunity in volcano geophysics at UEA
*****************************************************************************************************
Dear Colleagues,
Please circulate this exciting PhD opportunity in volcano geophysics at the University of East Anglia.
Enquiries can be directed to Dr. Jessica Johnson (jessica.johnson’at’uea.ac.uk)
More details and applications on the EnvEast website:
http://www.enveast.ac.uk/projects
Deadline 7 January 2015
Project description
Scientific background
Geophysical observations and gas emission monitoring are some of the most useful tools for forecasting the behaviour of active volcanoes. However, the disciplines, while linked qualitatively, are rarely analysed together, even though they have profound effects on each other. Several studies (e.g. Johnson & Poland 2013, Watson et al., 2000) have observed that increased magmatic gas flux alters the surrounding rock. These changes include seismic velocities, and ground deformation. The quantification of the effects of changing gas flux will not only assist volcano observatories to discriminate between the signals of gas and magma movement, but also has the potential to improve monitoring of remote volcanoes with no gas emission measurements.
The project
The student will use the multiphysics finite element models to calculate seismic velocity variation, strain and stress due to pressurised fluid-filled cracks in the medium.
The project will be divided into two parts. The first part will be the development of the models for a target volcano. The 2008 summit eruption of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii will be the main focus of the project through collaboration with Dr Michael Poland at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). The student will visit HVO to work with Dr Poland on the deformation data.
The second part will be to test the theories that the student has developed in the first part on other target volcanoes to evaluate the global applicability of the models.
Training
The project will be conducted primarily in the University of East Anglia School of Environmental Sciences, where the background and existing knowledge to support this project are excellent. Training will be given where necessary in seismic and other geophysical methods, general computing skills and specific MATLAB and COMSOL use.
The other institution involved in this project is HVO, where Dr. Poland is the research scientist in volcano geodesy. Training will be given there in geotedic analysis and interpretation.
Requirements
Applicants must hold, or expect to receive, a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering, mathematical, or physical sciences discipline. Expertise in geophysics or volcanology and strong computing and mathematical skills are desirable.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview day on either Thursday 12 or Friday 13 February 2015.
Funding
This project has been shortlisted for funding from the EnvEast NERC Doctoral Training Partnership. Successful candidates who meet RCUK's eligibility criteria will be awarded a NERC studentship. In most cases, UK and EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for 3 years are eligible for a full award. The stipend for 2014/15 was £13,863 p.a.
Co-Supervisors
Dr Richard Herd, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Dr. Michael Poland, US Geological Survey - Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
- Start date October 2015
- Programme PhD
- Mode of Study Full-time
- Studentship Length 3.5 years
Volcano Listserv is a collaborative venture among Arizona State University (ASU), Portland State University (PSU), the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, and the International Association for Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI).
ASU - http://www.asu.edu/ PSU - http://pdx.edu/ GVP - http://www.volcano.si.edu/ IAVCEI - http://www.iavcei.org/
To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message: signoff volcano to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxx.
To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to: volcano@xxxxxxx. Please do not send attachments.
==============================================================
