SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

III. From precursors to eruption  

III.3 Multidisciplinary constraints on volcanic eruption triggers

Conveners:
John Zayac (Lead), The Graduate Center, CUNY, USA
Marc-Antoine Longpré, Queens College, CUNY, USA
Adam Kent, Oregon State University, USA
Thomas Giachetti, University of Oregon, USA
Fidel Costa, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Helge Gonnerman, Rice University, USA

An understanding of the mechanisms that lead to initiation of volcanic eruptive episodes, or to rapid changes in eruptive style once eruptions are underway, is critical for assessing and managing risks to human populations and infrastructure associated with volcanic activity. We seek contributions that constrain the nature and timescales of physical, chemical, dynamic and other processes that result in triggering of eruptions or rapid changes in eruptive style through application of geophysical, geodetic, geochemical, petrological and tephrostratigraphic methods, laboratory experiments, or numerical modeling. These might include theoretical studies of volcanic settings, study of modern eruptions where direct observational records are available, and constraints from ancient eruptions, where indirect evidence must be used to constrain initiation processes.