Volcanology, geochemistry and petrology
Our research covers magma's entire journey, from its creation within the Earth to its eruption at the surface.
![Volcanic eruption](/content/auckland/en/science/about-the-faculty/school-of-environment/environment-research/volcanology-geochemistry-petrology/_jcr_content/leftpar/imagecomponent/image.img.480.low.jpg/1569465579892.jpg)
Due to its active volcanic environment, New Zealand is the ideal natural laboratory for investigating magmatic systems. With cutting edge geochemical techniques, we address a wide range of research projects, such as identifying the signature of major eruptions in tree rings and studying the crystal-specific nature of magma chambers.
At individual volcanoes and volcanic fields, we apply volcanological techniques to improve our understanding of eruption records and volcanic processes. We also have a strong interest in volcanic hazard assessment.
Our fieldwork takes us to a wide range of locations and tectonic settings around the world.
For more about our work check out our blog.
Our research topics
- Subduction zone magmatism/volcanism
- Intraplate magmatism/volcanism
- Geochemical proxies of volcanic eruptions
- Cosmochemistry and cosmochronology
- Timescales and processes of magma assembly and eruption
- Large-scale explosive volcanism
- Volcanism and volcanic hazards
- Volcanic mass flow deposits
- Probabilistic eruption and event forecasting
- Environmental, agricultural and health impacts of volcanic eruptions
- Cryptotephra analysis: chronology development and ash-fall hazards
- Mantle metasomatism
- Analysis of amorphous and partial amorphous materials as planetary analogues