Volcanism and the Earth's Atmosphere
Volcanoes are one of the principal natural sources of gases and particles to the Earth's atmosphere. These emissions are released both during and between eruptions,
and include reactive sulphur and halogen compounds, trace metals, and ash.
The VEA Commission's broad role is to stimulate research, discussion and outreach on the interactions between volcanic activity and the environment.
This particularly concerns fundamental issues related to the role of volcanism in the Earth system, including the impacts of volcanic emissions of gases and particles on the atmosphere,
oceans, climate, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Upcoming events:
IAVCEI 2008 General Assembly, Reykjavik, Iceland (18-25 August, 2008)
Session Title: Volcanic Emissions: Environmental and Health Impacts.
Conveners: Clive Oppenheimer (1), Pierre Delmelle (2) and Peter Baxter (3)
(1) Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK; Email: co200@cam.ac.uk
(2) Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK; Email: pd512@york.ac.uk
(3) Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Institute of Public Health, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 2SR, UK; Email: pjb21@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Description: Volcanic volatile emissions - both during and between eruptions - can have pronounced and widespread impacts on the atmospheric, terrestrial, aquatic and oceanic environments,
including effects on air quality and human health, soil and water contamination, and destruction or enhancement of vegetation.
This interdisciplinary session will cover the local to regional scale fate of volcanic emissions in the environment.
The session will focus on the following areas of research:
- The tropospheric chemistry and transport of volcanic gases and particles, including volatiles transported on tephra,
- The aqueous chemistry and transport of volcanic volatiles,
- The effects of volcanogenic «pollution« on the built environment, human and
animal health, plants and soils,
- Fertilization effects of volcanic emissions (including tephra) and
association with oceanic primary productivity,
- Contributions from atmospheric, ecological and epidemiological
perspectives, which highlight the environmental fate of volcanic emissions,
are particularly welcome.
Links
Look for an updated list after the Iceland 2008 meeting.
Address web questions/problems to Libby Prueher lprueher@umich.edu