Module GEOL3457: Volcanic Hazards and Impacts

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL3457: Volcanic Hazards and Impacts

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• GEOL3051 Volcanology and Magmatism

Aims

• To develop an understanding of volcanic hazard, risk and impact assessment and how these feed into eruption preparedness, warning and communication.
• To learn about how past volcanic events can be deciphered through interpretation of field stratigraphy, with reference to Tenerife.
• To develop the capacity to interrogate field data, and to integrate this with understanding gained through classroom learning and from the literature.

Content

• Pyroclastic dispersal and deposits.
• Structure of volcanoes and the construction of a volcanic edifice.
• Volcanic hazards, risks,and their assessment.
• Impacts of volcanic eruptions.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand how eruptions construct volcanic edifices, and how volcanic hazards impact on human populations.

• Acquire and develop the intellectual and practical skills to observe, record accurately and account for volcanological features in the field.
• Acquire and develop the intellectual and practical skills to synthesize information/data from a variety of sources.
• Acquire the intellectual and practical skills to analyse, evaluate and interpret volcanological data.

• To understand and use formal scientific reasoning.
• Synthesize and respond to a variety of information sources.
• Develop skills necessary for self-managed learning (including independent working, time management).
• Develop understanding through observation, analysis and interpretation in the field.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching is delivered via a mixture of lectures and extended guided practical classes, supported by handouts, directed reading, feedback and a one-week residential field trip.
• The principles of the subject will be re-enforced with classroom and field exercises and academic literature.
• Summative assessment is 100% continual and comprises assessed field work and report writing, through which students can demonstrate their problem solving skills, practical skills and theoretical comprehension.
• Formative assessment is provided via feedback to practical assignments.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Classroom-based practical exercises and reports.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University