Karen STREHLOW
 |
|
 |
Models of magma-aquifer interaction and associated hazards
Personal Project in NEMOH
DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
Interactions of magmatic and hydrological systems are manifold and include many different phenomena. The presence of water can significantly affect the style of volcanic activity - this project, however, is focusing on how magmatic activity influences the local hydrology. Because they respond to changes in the state of the magmatic system, aquifers in volcanic regions can be valuable indicators of volcanic unrest, but the mechanisms of this “wet unrest” are still poorly understood. My research is concerned with two possible hydrological manifestations of magmatic unrest:
1. Strain-induced water level changes: Because aquifers are poroelastic media, magmatic strain can lead to pore pressure changes and hence water level changes in local aquifers. Using finite element modelling, I investigate if and how we can use frequently observed well water level changes to monitor the subsurface processes at volcanoes.
2. Phreatic eruptions: Overshadowed by larger magmatic events, these steam-driven explosions have been comparatively understudied. But recent tragic events at Mt Ontake (Japan) demonstrate the danger of underestimating the phreatic eruption risk at frequently visited volcanoes. Using a detailed eruption catalogue, my approach is to study the statistics of these events at Ruapehu volcano (New Zealand), resulting in a probabilistic hazard assessment. This contributes to the awareness of the threat posed by phreatic eruptions, which often occur without any precursors or warning time, but involve serious hazards.
Scientific Background
I studied Geology and Mathematics at the University of Kiel in northern Germany. My final degree is in Geology, but I still like to combine the two fields by focusing on quantitative volcanology. My major subjects were Magmatic Petrology and Hydrological Modelling, making my current project within NEMOH a perfect match for my scientific background.
I graduated with a “Diplom” in Geology in 2012, the topic of my thesis being “Magmatic evolution and eruption history of 2900 years old plinian Alpehué Tephra, Sollipulli Caldera, southern Chile”, which I completed within the volcanology group of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research. My diploma thesis is a detailed case study of a violent eruption, applying stratigraphic, granulometric, petrologic and geochemical methods to constrain the magma evolution as well as the triggering and pysical eruption dynamics of this event.
Through my work as a student assistant at the GEOMAR, I contributed to research concerning explosive volcanism at the Central American Volcanic Arc and marine tephrostratigraphy.
The motivations for my wish to work in volcanological research include the diversity of this fascinating field and the relevance of the investigations for the population in regions exposed to volcanic risk. My research interests are the interactions of volcanic and hydrological systems – in particular hydrothermal systems and their unrest, volcanic hazards and risk, numerical modelling in volcanology as well as eruption forecasting.
About me
Volcanoes are not my only passion. For almost 20 years, horses have been an important part of my life and I am highly motivated in that field, too. I have a trainer’s license in Western Riding and worked as a riding instructor in Germany. Besides that, I really enjoy the traveling aspect that comes with being a Volcanologist (especially as a NEMOH fellow) – but also am happy to visit my home, family and friends.
Personal Contacts
Karen Strehlow
University of Bristol School of Earth Science
Wills Memorial Building Queen's Road
Bristol BS8 1RJ UK
karen.strehlow
bristol.ac.uk
+447936042208
