Of fundamental importance to volcanology is knowing what the required conditions are for an eruption to occur. But we are still a long way from having adequate models of this. Magma rising from depth often pools in large chambers at depths of several kilometers to ten's of kilometers due to buoyancy. Modelling its ascent from here is not simple because it's a three-phase substance comprised of: silicate melt, crystals and gas bubbles. This results in a complex rheology which changes during ascent and flow due to the cooling of the magma against the surrounding country rocks, the loss of volcanic gasses, shear-thinning and a stiffening due to crystals grown from lowering temperatures and pressures. Understanding the flow and deformation of magma/lava has significant implications for hazard assesment and mining industry applications. Computational models are being developed with ESSCC to better understand the physics for an eruption and surface lava flow dynamics. This position will entail advancing upon existing, and to develop new, computational models of magma flow in a conduit and/or free-surface lava flow/dome models. Research will specifically utilize the Finite Element Method, a powerful technique to solve Partial Differential Equations. Given the nature of this research an interdisciplinary approach is required to identify the critical processes in terms of both field observational and theoretical fluid mechanics.

You will be supervised by Professor Hans Muhlhaus (computational mechanics) and Dr. Alina Hale (computational volcanologist). For further information please contact Alina Hale.