Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/D00859X/1
Measuring the growth of the new lava dome at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor G Wadge, University of Reading, Environmental Systems Science Centre
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor G Smith, University of St Andrews, Physics and Astronomy
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor H Pinkerton, Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre
- Grant held at:
- University of Reading, Environmental Systems Science Centre
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Volcanic Processes
- Geohazards
- Abstract:
- A new dome of lava has begun to form in the crater of Soufriere HIlls Volcano, Montserrat. It has been about two years since lava last appeared at the surface. This is a resumption of what has effectively been a single, ongoing eruption that began in 1995. We need to be able to measure the way and particularly, the rate, at which this new lava dome is growing. This allows us to understand, via computer models of the unseen processes, the rise of magma from the reservoir through the conduit into the dome. It also allows the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) to better forecast the hazards from possible future explosions and pyroclastic flows. Making such measurements of the growing dome is made difficult because it can only be seen from the air or from the ground at a site known as Perche's at the entrance to the crater. Also the dome is often covered in steam and/or cloud. However, we have built an instrument called AVTIS (All-weather Volcano Terrain Imaging System) for exactly this role: measuring the shape of the lava dome through cloud. This proposal is to take AVTIS to Montserrat and make such measurements of the growing lava dome from the Perche's site.To do so we need to hire a helicopter in conjunction with MVO. We would aim to make repeated measurements of the dome's growth on several days (at least four) over a ten day period to enable us to measure the effusion rate to a few tenths of a cubic metre per second.
- Period of Award:
- 13 Oct 2005 - 12 Nov 2005
- Value:
- £11,745 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/D00859X/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grant (FEC)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Urgency
This grant award has a total value of £11,745
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|
| £7,475 | £865 | £285 | £3,120 |
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