Research at the Unit is focused on the three main areas of activity with which we are engaged namely
volcanology,
seismology and
social impacts through our public education and outreach programme.
In volcanology our main research focus at present is on:
- Physical Volcanology (analytical and numerical modelling of diverse volcanic and hydrothermal processes)
- Volcanic hazard and risk assessment
- Geochemical studies of hydrothermal areas in the Lesser Antilles & development of effective geothermal monitoring strategies
In seismology our main research focus at present is on:
- Seismic hazard assessment
- Application of the piece-wise b-value technique to earthquake prediction
- Application of Distributed Computing Techniques in earthquake and volcano monitoring
- Development of strong motion seismograph networks and use in defining earthquake risk
In assessing social impacts of geo-hazards our main research focus is on:
- Hazard communications
- Awareness and perception of geologic hazards
- Use of the internet in delivery of scientific information
These areas of research are revised periodically as staff change, the demands of stakeholders vary and new technologies develop.