In our latest podcast Dr Janine Kavanagh, a lecturer in Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, explains the science behind volcanos and how she uses “jelly and lasers” to help understand how volcanic eruptions happen.
Scientists are getting quite good at predicting where and when lava will erupt around the Kilauea volcano – important for the residents of Hawaii. Kilauea has been very active for the past few months.
In the past seven days, residents in the area around Kilauea have experienced more than 900 earthquakes. For the most part these have been minor tremors, often only showing up on seismographs. The quakes are caused by magma deep inside the volcano moving underground; infiltrating cracks and fissures and occasionally shooting lava into the air in dramatic fashion.
During the podcast Dr Kavanagh explains why she has been watching this volcanic activity very closely and how understanding the triggers for these eruptions is vital for forecasting efforts, hazard assessment and risk mitigation.
To find out more you can listen to the podcast by following the links below:
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Our podcasts are produced in collaboration with the University of Liverpool online programmes team, hosted by Canadian journalist and producer Neil Morrison, we aim to bring listeners closer to some of our academic experts, authors and innovative thinkers who are affecting positive change in the world today.
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