PhD opportunity in dome mechanics at The University of Leeds
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Dear Colleagues,
Could you please advertise the following PhD opportunity at the university of Leeds (UK). Any enquiries can be directed to myself at the address below
Many Thanks
Understanding the mechanics of lava domes - developing new predictive models for dome collapse.
Dr Mark Thomas (School of Earth and Environment), Dr William Murphy (School of Earth and Environment), Prof Jurgen Neuberg (School of Earth and Environment)
Contact email: m.e.thomas@xxxxxxxxxxx
Rationale
Lava domes sit atop some of the world’s most active and potentially explosive volcanoes. The location of such volcanoes; often close to large population centres (e.g. Mount Unzen, Japan) means they pose a significant hazard. It is not usually the lava dome itself that presents the major hazard, but what happens if it collapses. Consequently, there are multiple studies relating to the ultimate outcomes of dome failure, the most extreme of which is rapid decompression, leading to highly explosive volcanic eruptions such as those observed at Mt. St. Helens, USA in 1980 and Soufriére Hills, Montserrat in 2010. In contrast, there are comparatively few investigations of the underlying causes of lava dome instability or the triggering mechanisms for collapse, which have been proposed to include inter alia, seismicity, rainfall, gas-pressurisation, gravitational collapse or rate of magma extrusion. The complex interactions between the mechanics of the dome, volcanic processes and seismicity mean that while dome collapse is recognised as potentially catastrophic, the ability to predict failures with any rigour is absent. In this project the successful applicant will address this deficit by using engineering geological methods and applying them to volcanic environments to improve our understanding of the processes affecting lava domes.
Objectives
There are three main objectives in this project relating to the fundamental geomechanics, the processes active in lava domes and the development of a predictive model. These can be identified as:
- Volcanic rock mechanics: Current knowledge of the mechanical properties of lava domes is inadequate; the first stage of the project will be gain a better understanding of these properties through a combined programme of theoretical, laboratory and field work. There is potential for the laboratory and field work to be undertaken in conjunction with colleagues from the Deformation, Microstructures and Volcanology research group at the university of Liverpool giving access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities including novel high-pressure, high-temperature deformation apparatus available very few places worldwide.
- Modelling: Identifying the mechanisms of dome instability and identifying whether common principles apply to all types of lava dome regardless of effects such as composition, temperature and size
- Predictive model development: The results of the geomechanical assessments will be used to develop predictive tools for dome collapse and inform on volcanic observatory monitoring strategies.
Training
The student will be a member of an active and enthusiastic cohort of PhD researches at the University of Leeds and will become part of both the Volcanology and Geomechanics research groups. The successful candidate will receive training in research methodology in addition to rock mechanics and engineering geological field skills. The candidate will also develop expertise in numerical modelling techniques required to assess lava dome stability. There will be the opportunity to present research findings at national and international conferences and workshops. In addition to the fieldwork undertaken as part of this project at potential sites in the Caribbean, USA, Mexico and Japan there will also be the opportunity to spend a period of time visiting and developing research ideas with volcano observatory staff.
Funding
This project has been shortlisted for potential funding from the Leeds York NERC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). 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.
Start Date – October 2015, see full information at http://www.nercdtp.leeds.ac.uk/projects/index.php?id=181
Deadline for applications is February 2nd 2015
Interviews to be held in Leeds week beginning February 23rd 2015
Dr Mark Thomas FGS
Lecturer: Engineering Geology
Room: 2.11
22 Clarendon Place
School of Earth and Environment
University of Leeds
LS2 9JT
Tel: 0113 343 5233
Fax: 0113 343 5259
Email: M.E.Thomas@xxxxxxxxxxxVolcano 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).
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