The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), through Geosciences Barcelona (GEO3BCN-CSIC), acknowledges the research group ‘Petrology and Volcanic Geochemistry’ of the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the University of Barcelona (UB) as an associated R&D unit. The objective is to study, from a multidisciplinary approach, volcanically active areas to more accurately assess volcanic hazards and the likelihood of future eruptions.

“The spirit of the requested associated unit is to formalize existing collaborations and ensure their continuity over time,” explains Adelina Geyer, researcher and member of the Applied Volcanology team at GEO3BCN-CSIC. In this sense, she points out, the unit will provide a framework for existing lines of work and enable smoother and more agile interaction between groups when launching projects.

The collaboration between both institutions began over five years ago. Since then, UB personnel have contributed their knowledge of geochemistry and petrology in volcanic systems to research work in volcanically active areas carried out by the Applied Volcanology team at Geosciences Barcelona.

In parallel, they also work together on the development and maintenance of the Laboratory for numerical and analog modeling of volcanic processes, framed within the Laboratory for simulation of geological processes, coordinated by both groups.

“With the creation of this associated unit, we consolidate a very close collaboration – both in research and scientific dissemination – of volcanic systems that we have been carrying out for years,” details Professor Meritxell Aulinas, member of the Research Group on Geological Materials, Crystalline and Sustainable (GEOXiS) and the Innovation Group on Geochemistry and Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary Rocks of the UB.

The scientific team of Geosciences Barcelona that is part of this new unit consists of Adelina Geyer, Dario Pedrazzi, Xavier de Bolós, Arnau Folch, and Stephanie Barde-Cabusson. On the part of the UB, researcher Meritxell Aulinas is involved.

The Garrotxa and Antarctica volcanism

The projects on which GEO3BCN-CSIC and the Faculty of Earth Sciences of UB are already working focus mainly on the volcanism of the Catalan Volcanic Zone. The study of this area allows progress in characterizing the most recent volcanic structures and thus understanding more precisely the associated magmatic processes, their dynamics, and evolution over time.

Likewise, the team is currently studying active volcanism in polar regions, with Deception Island (Antarctica) as the initial workplace. “The main objective of this line of research is to better understand the magmatic evolution of this active volcanic complex to improve the assessment of associated volcanic hazards and risks,” emphasizes Geyer.