Program Overview

Volcanoes, Society and the Environment (GEOL0070)

Key Information

The Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences offers this module through the Earth Sciences teaching department. It has a credit value of 15. However, this module is restricted to Earth Sciences students only.

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

This module aims to develop understanding of the physical and chemical processes that influence the style and scale of volcanic eruptions, and the resulting interactions with society and our environment at local, regional, and global scales. Emphasis will be placed on the use of case studies to highlight key learning points. Teaching will be focused around an equal balance of lectures and practical sessions, which will include experimental, modelling, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and data analysis assignments relevant to the lecture topic for each week. Guided group discussions will accompany sessions related to societal impacts. The module may include selected guest lectures from industry professionals and monitoring organisations.

Topics each year will focus on research frontiers and active debates in the subject, and may include:

• Volcanoes and global geochemical cycles
• Timescales of volcanic processes
• Hazards from effusive and explosive eruptions
• Degassing and Open-Vent Volcanism
• Volcanoes in indigenous cultures and historical records
• Cascading eruption hazards in a globally connected society
• Volcanoes and geotourism
• Volcano-climate feedbacks
• Observing volcanoes from the ground and space

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

Intended Teaching Term: Term 1 - Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 6)

Teaching and Assessment

Mode of study: In person Methods of assessment:

• 60% Coursework (2 assessments)
• 40% Exam Mark scheme: Numeric Marks

The methods of assessment for affiliate students may be different to those indicated above.

Other Information

Number of students on module in previous year: 52 Module leader: Dr John Browning

Intended Teaching Term: Term 1 - Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7)

Teaching and Assessment

Mode of study: In person Methods of assessment:

• 60% Coursework (2 assessments)
• 40% Exam Mark scheme: Numeric Marks

Other Information

Number of students on module in previous year: 7 Module leader: Dr John Browning

Intended Teaching Term: Term 1 - Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 7)

Teaching and Assessment

Mode of study: In person Methods of assessment:

• 60% Coursework (2 assessments)
• 40% Exam Mark scheme: Numeric Marks

Other Information

Number of students on module in previous year: 7 Module leader: Dr John Browning

Last Updated

This module description was last updated on 10th March 2026.