Volcanic hazards and risk assessment
Research into the assessment of volcanic hazards and risk focuses on the development of novel techniques. Some of the work involves application of statistical methods for mapping spatial and temporal trends on volcanism. The group are developing a global data base on explosive volcanic eruptions, which are being analysed by extreme value statistics. The group are also exploring the use of Bayesian Belief networks to investigate uncertainties in risk assessments and as a tool for management of volcanic crises. Some of the work has been applied to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat and adapted to study the effects of climate change on the safety of nuclear waste sites.
Those involved include Professor Steve Sparks, Professor Willy Aspinall, and Dr Thea Hincks.
- Hincks TK, Aspinall WP, Baxter PJ, Searl A, Sparks RSJ & Woo G 'Long-term exposure to respirable volcanic ash on Montserrat: a time series simulation.' Bulletin of Volcanology 68, 266-284, 2006.