Volcanoes and their eruptions create a multitude of physical and chemical changes to the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. Many of these processes are relevant to the origin of life and evolution, climate change, and the occurrence of natural disasters. The human experience has been shaped by the action of volcanoes as populations grow at alarming rates near volcanic provinces and airspace becomes increasingly crowded due to globalization. Sorting out the effects of human and volcanic activity on the atmosphere and environment is furthermore germane to tackling issues of anthropogenic versus natural drivers of environmental change.
The origin of volcanic eruptions is to be found deep within the Earth. Volcanoes are ruptures in the crust of the Earth that allow lava and gases to escape from the subterranean magma chamber and thus influence the atmosphere. As yet, the fundamental mechanisms that are involved in the formation of magma and gases, their transport, and the composition of the resultant volcanic plumes are still largely unknown.
Mission Statement
"We aim to understand and quantify the physico-chemical and energetic exchange between the deep Earth and atmosphere. VAMOS will implement an interdisciplinary approach to study the varied impacts of magmatic processes and volcanism on the solid-Earth-atmosphere system."
VAMOS is based on the previous Geocycles Research Center at JGU. The new research unit will provide for synergies through interactions between the fields of petrology, geochemistry, tectonics, geophysics, and atmospheric sciences at JGU and ensure their profile is enhanced through consolidation. This multidisciplinary approach includes field observations and sampling of eruption products, gas emissions, and measurement of deformation, combined with thermodynamic and geodynamic modeling. In addition, the existing infrastructure and the aim of providing its students with future-oriented qualifications will be at the center of considerations.