Adam J. Stinton

Qualifications

B.Sc. (Hons) Environmental Geology, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom (1999)

MS Geology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA (2003)

Ph.D. Geology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA (2007)

Expertise

• Physical Volcanology
• Geologic mapping
• Volcanic Hazards
• Volcano monitoring

Bio

As a Volcanologist at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory I am primarily responsible for monitoring and mapping the activity and deposits associated with the growth and collapse of lava domes at the Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat. This involves surveying the active lava dome in order to monitor changes in volume and rates of extrusion; deposit mapping and the maintenance and development of the dome volume monitoring programme. I employ traditional fieldwork techniques along with GPS, GIS, and structure-from-motion photogrammetry methods that use both ground-based and aerial photography and satellite imagery. I also use handheld thermal imaging for monitoring lava dome evolution and high temperature fumaroles.

My research focuses on the geomorphic consequences of explosive volcanism, investigating how topographic changes around volcanoes influence the dynamics of pyroclastic flows and lahars. Current research projects include understanding the behaviour and impact of pyroclastic density currents in channelised settings and urban environments; seasonal variation in rockfall activity on active lava domes; and the volcanic history of Montserrat from submarine and terrestrial deposits. Monitoring projects include the development of a system for routine aerial photogrammetry; routine temperature logging of fumaroles; and a low powered remote camera for visual observation of volcanic activity.

Major Publications

Journal Publications

• P. Joseph, M. Camejo-Harry, T. Christopher, R. Contreras-Arratia, S. Edwards, O. Graham, M. Johnson, A. Juman, J.L. Latchman, L. Lynch, V.L. Miller, I. Papadopoulos, K. Pascal, R. Robertson, G. A. Ryan, A. Stinton, R. Grandin, I. Hamling, M-J. Jo, J. Barclay, P. Cole, B.V. Davies, and R.S.J. Sparks 2021. Responding to eruptive transitions during the 2020–2021 eruption of La Soufrière volcano, St. Vincent. Nature Communications. July 2022. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31901-4
• Watt, S.F.L., Jutzeler, M., Talling, P.J., Carey, S.N., Sparks, R.S.J., Tucker, M., Stinton, A.J., Fisher, J.K., Wall-Palmer, D., Hühnerbach, V., Moreton, S.G., 2015. New insights into landslide processes around volcanic islands from Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) observations offshore Montserrat. Geochemistry, Geophys. Geosystems 16, 2240–2261. doi:10.1002/2015GC005781
• Christopher, T.E., Blundy, J., Cashman, K., Cole, P., Edmonds, M., Smith, P.J., Sparks, R.S.J., Stinton, A., 2015. Crustal-scale degassing due to magma system destabilization and magma-gas decoupling at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. Geochemistry, Geophys. Geosystems 16, 2797–2811. doi:10.1002/2015GC005791
• Cole, P., Stinton, A., Odbert, H., Bonadonna, C., Stewart, R., 2015. An inclined Vulcanian explosion and associated products. J. Geol. Soc. London. 172, 287–293. doi:10.1144/jgs2014-099
• Carey, S., Bell, K.L.C., Sparks, S., and 12 others, 2014, Impact of Volcanic Eruptions on the Seafloor Around Montserrat, West Indies, in Bell, K.L.C., M.L. Brennan, and N.A. Raineault, eds. 2014. New frontiers in ocean exploration: The E/V Nautilus 2013 Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean field season. Oceanography 27(1), supplement, 52 pp, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2014.supplement.01.
• Cassidy, M., Watt, S.F.L., Palmer, M.R., Trofimovs, J., Symons, W., Maclachlan, S.E., Stinton, A.J. 2014, Construction of volcanic records from marine sediment cores: A review and case study (Montserrat, West Indies). Earth-Science Reviews. 138, 137–155. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.08.008
• Cole, P., Smith, P., Komorowski, J.-C., Alfano, F., Bonadonna, C., Stinton, A.J., Christopher, T., Odbert, H., and Loughlin, S. 2014, Ash venting occurring both prior to and during lava extrusion at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, from 2005 to 2010. In Wadge, G., Voight, B., and Robertson, R., (eds) The Eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat from 2000 to 2010, Geological Society, London, Memoirs 39, pp71-92
• Cole, P., Smith, P., Odbert, H., Stinton, A.J., Stewart, R., Bernstein, M., and Komorowski, J.-C., 2014, Vulcanian Explosions at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat between 2008 and 2010. In Wadge, G., Voight, B., and Robertson, R., (eds) The Eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat from 2000 to 2010, Geological Society, London, Memoirs 39, pp 93-111
• Stinton, A.J., Cole, P.D., Odbert, H.M, Christopher, T., Avard, G., & Bernstien, M., 2014, Dome growth and evolution during Phase 5 at the Soufrière Hills Volcano: 9 October 2009 – 11 February 2010. In Wadge, G., Voight, B., and Robertson, R., (eds) The Eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat from 2000 to 2010, Geological Society, London, Memoirs 39, pp113-131
• Stinton, A.J., Cole, P.D., Stewart, R., Odbert, H.M, and Smith, P.J., 2014, The 11 February 2010 partial dome collapse at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat. In Wadge, G., Voight, B., and Robertson, R., (eds) The Eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat from 2000 to 2010, Geological Society, London, Memoirs 39, pp133-152

Technical Reports

• Stinton, A.J., 2016. Summary of Preliminary Investigations into the Sinkhole in North West Bluff, Northern Montserrat, MVO Open File Report 16-01, 18p. Doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.1641.5604
• Stinton, A.J., 2015. A new Digital Elevation Model of the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, MVO Open File Report. 15-01, 18pp. Doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.2952.2809.