Title: “Explosive Volcanic Eruptions: Causes and Consequences”

Abstract: The science of volcanology has grown significantly since the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, and each new eruption provides more data concerning the physical processes that initiate explosive events and the hazards that may result. The Volcanology Research Group in the Department of Geological Sciences conducts fundamental research on the physical and chemical properties of eruptive deposits in order to determine why explosive events occur, why styles of eruption change, or how volcanic deposits can create hazards for human infrastructure and environmental quality, including malfunction of electrical systems and contamination of water supplies.