2026 Geodynamics Program

THURSDAYS: 1:30 – 2:30 P.M.
CLARK LAB 507, QUISSETT CAMPUS, WHOI

(Unless otherwise noted on speaker schedule)

Volcanoes: eruption drivers, historic eruptions, climate impacts and modern hazards

Volcanoes are dynamic and powerful manifestations of plate tectonics that link Earth’s deep interior to our oceans and atmosphere. They shape landscapes, influence climate, and pose hazards to human societies. Volcanic impacts are especially profound near coastlines where subducting oceanic lithosphere transfers water and other volatile elements into Earth’s interior, triggering magma formation and driving explosive volcanism. Water cycled through subduction zones controls both magma generation and eruption style. Volcanic systems emit large volumes of lava and gas that both threaten communities and sustain ecosystems—providing bioessential nutrients, transporting heat that fuels hydrothermal activity, and releasing gases such as carbon and sulfur dioxide that can perturb atmospheric chemistry and cause abrupt climate anomalies.

Volcano research lies at the intersection of many scientific disciplines and societal issues, including geology, climate science, geohazards, history, and science policy. The goal of this seminar series is to explore topics ranging from magma storage and eruption dynamics to the climatic and historical impacts of major volcanic events, as well as ongoing efforts to monitor hazardous volcanic systems. Speakers will discuss volcanoes from petrological, geochemical, geophysical, palaeoclimatological, modeling, and historical perspectives. The seminar will emphasize multidisciplinary approaches to scientific inquiry, effective communication across disciplines, and governance frameworks that connect geoscience with hazard policy and risk management.

The Study Tour portion of the 2026 Geodynamics Seminar Series will be held in Costa Rica, a region shaped by active subduction zone volcanism and with exceptional monitoring infrastructure. Costa Rica hosts active volcanoes and related hydrothermal systems and serves as a model for integrating science, monitoring, and policy for geohazard risk management. Participants will visit Poás Volcano and surrounding volcanic and geothermal sites, gaining firsthand insight into how active volcanic systems influence landscapes, climate, and human society.

Sarah Das 
Geodynamics Program Director

Keqi Ren 
Geodynamics Program Coordinator