THESIS-students join forces in the experimental monitoring of active volcanoes in Mexico

Miguel Alatorre (THESIS student) and Dr. Yan Lavallee (THESIS student alumni) initiate international collaborations with volcanologists from the universities of Colima and Mexico to study two active volcanoes in Mexico. Their new endeavor aims to combine experimental work with field studies to refine our knowledge of fragmentation involved in the transition of effusive to explosive eruptions.

In February, Miguel and Yan traveled alongside Dr. Ulrich Küppers (OVSUA, Azores, Portugal) to Mexico to meet with professors, officials and the press to discuss the objectives of their collaborations and future plans of action. Preliminary fieldwork (under total eclipse of the Moon) at Colima volcano focused on a description of the deposits of the last 10 years of activity. An aerial survey of the current active dome using a high-definition infrared thermal camera revealed key details on the dynamics of magma extrusion.

Efforts at Popocatepetl were unfortunately thwarted by a high level of explosive activity, which prevented a safe access to the upper slope of the volcanoes where most recent ballistics had landed. The level of explosive activity has by now subsided and scientists began discussing the planning of the next field.