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Dr Helen Elizabeth Gaunt

Physical volcanology, experimental rock physics, volcano monitoring, eruption forecasting, volcano monitoring equipment development

NERC Research Fellow in Volcanology

Dr Liz Gaunt

Appointment:

Room:

NERC Research Fellow K. Lonsdale Building, G02

Courses Taught:

 Contributor to MSc Geophysical hazards field course 
 

Research Group(s):

Natural & Environmental Hazards
UCL Hazard Centre
Rock & Ice Physics Laboratory

Email Address:

Telephone Number:

e.gaunt@ucl.ac.uk 
 

Research Summary

My research aims are to investigate the dynamics of volcanic eruptions by studying the fundamental mechanics and physical properties of geological materials. More specifically, my research is directed towards understanding magma degassing processes and pre-eruption conduit conditions to investigate explosive effusive eruption transitions and the factors that lead to the triggering of large Vulcanian events.  I have a unique background combining experimental rock physics with physical volcanology, including 8 years of volcano monitoring and field experience at an active volcano observatory in Ecuador. 

I manage the Experimental Volcanology laboratory at UCL which houses a high temperature triaxial deformation and permeameter apparatus. The apparatus is capable of simulating the conditions and processes prevalent in shallow volcanic environments (temperatures up to 1000°C, confining pressures up to 70 MPa and pore fluid pressures up to 60 MPa). Here we employ an experimental approach to simulate different fluid flow and deformation processes occurring within the magma and conduit and, the geophysical signals produced by these processes to generate new inputs for eruption forecasting models.

Current Research Topics:

  • The explosivity of volcanic eruptions: Quantifying the critical role of permeability in magmas.

Reventador volcano, Ecuador showing simultaneous effusive and explosive activity.
Forecasting the style volcanic activity is a primary goal of applied volcanological research. My research combines novel rock physics experiments on magma with geophysical monitoring data to reconstruct the physical state of magma within conduits and to identify critical controls on the explosivity of eruptions. Pressurized volcanic fluids causes magma to explode and the explosive style and intensity are principally controlled by a magma’s outgassing efficiency. One of the primary controls on outgassing efficiency is the magma’s permeability (how easily fluids can move through the magma). A proxy for the flow of fluids through permeable pathways are Low Frequency (LF) seismic events. We regularly measure LF events during volcanic unrest, but multiple models exist to interpret these signals, often hindering our capacity to interpret them. A deeper understanding of outgassing processes and the seismic signals they produce will ultimately improve our ability to forecast the state of the volcanic system and type of potential future activity. Laboratory rock physics experiments provides a means to quantify permeability, the physics and mechanics of outgassing processes and the geophysical signals produced. 
Within this research project, high temperature rock physics experiments to acquire permeability data simultaneously with acoustic emissions (a laboratory analogue for natural seismicity) under simulated volcanic conditions. The experimental data will be integrated with geophysical monitoring data from a number of example eruptions to identify and quantify outgassing processes occurring in the conduit. The main aim is to identify key processes that control the movement of fluids in magmas and the characteristic seismic signals produced by these processes. These unique experimental data will be used to link the processes dictating permeability evolution to the explosive potential of volcanic systems and more accurately define the different source processes of LF seismicity, underpinning a new generation of models to forecast the state of the volcanic systems and potential explosivity of future eruptive activity. 
  • AACE-IG: a new automated, remote controlled volcanic ash monitoring and collection system.

AACE-IG (Automated Ash Collection Ecuador) prototype
Much of my research is focused on the analysis of erupted samples as a means to better inform the interpretation of monitoring data such as seismicity, gas emissions and infrasound. Petrological eruption monitoring has become a powerful tool that is more commonly used by volcano observatories during volcanic unrest to complement geophysical monitoring techniques. However, regularly obtaining uncontaminated, time-constrained samples throughout an eruption can be difficult. In conjunction with the Instituto Geofisico, Ecuador I am working on the design and implementation of a new, low cost volcanic ash monitoring and collection system that can also transmit real-time data such as the amount of ash falling back to the observatory. 

 

Resources:

Publications

RPS Widget Placeholderhttp://research-reports.ucl.ac.uk/RPSDATA.SVC/pubs/HEGAU97