Dr Matteo Spagnolo is part of a recently-awarded Leverhulme project on “Using glaciers to identify, monitor and predict volcanic activities”, which will be led by Manchester Metropolitan University and also involves researchers at Dickinson College (USA).
Volcanic eruptions threaten life, infrastructure and wellbeing, especially at glacierized volcanoes. More than 200 active volcanoes globally are occupied by glaciers, which are potentially useful indicators of volcanic unrest. The purpose of this project is to employ remote sensing methods and datasets to analyse variations in glacier behaviour (dimensions and dynamics) prior to, during, and following former periods of volcanic activity. Overall, the project aims to develop a new, cost-effective and unique method of monitoring ice covered volcanoes worldwide and provide a new predictive tool for volcanic activity and its potential impacts.