Applied Geophysics and Volcanology: Tools for Exploring the Dynamic Earth

Dear Colleagues,

The application of theory is the natural procedure of research. While theory gives the guidelines for investigating the dynamic Earth, it is application that really explores the features of nature.

This Special Issue aims to bring together contributions that use a variety of applied methods to understand the Earth and volcanoes.

The deep system of a volcano is the source of all of its surface manifestation. It is monitored by recording gas emissions, deformations, seismic signals, and thermal, gravitational, electric, and magnetic anomalies. By inversion, applied methods give useful information on the state of the magmatic system and its likelihood to erupt. An ongoing eruption is as well inspected by applied studies on seismicity, deformations, gas emission, thermal changes, visual, and remote sensing observations as by acoustic and infrasound detections. Real-time data systems aggregate all of these measures and process them automatically to send alerts if thresholds are exceeded. Further, the petrology and geochemistry of eruptive products, along with fieldwork and laboratory experiments, shed light on the eruptive processes themselves. The application of numerical algorithms for the simulation of coupled magma–rock systems, rising magma along the conduit, and the formation of eruptive columns and pyroclastic flows provides further insights into volcanic behavior.

Extending this point of view, the tectonic structure of the Earth is the subject of seismic, thermal, gravitational, electromagnetic, and magnetotelluric explorations. By applying theory, measurements allow us to reconstruct the features of the Earth’s crust and mantle, as well as their dynamics, particularly on tectonic earthquakes. Numerical simulations of these large-scale systems are juxtaposed to these practical studies.

Surface phenomena such as tsunami and landslides are also the objects of applied studies, as they pose a noticeable risk. To mitigate and unravel their mechanisms, field observations, remote sensing, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations are performed.

In summary, all of the mentioned geophysical and volcanological applied methods are based on accurately developed theories and are the only way to extract useful information on the dynamic Earth and its risks.

Dr. Antonella Longo
Guest Editor

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