Volcanology was historically a descriptive science: people watched eruptions, looked at the deposits, and then tried to relate older rocks to the newly-erupted analogs. However, the science has evolved as the theory behind volcanic processes has been developed and researchers pursue investigations in the field, lab, and via numerical modeling. In this class, we will explore the nature and composition of the Earth and how plate tectonics controls the global distribution of volcanoes. We will discuss volcano types, magmas, minerals and rocks, and the complex interplay of chemistry and physics that shapes volcanic eruptions via nine case studies. Moreover, we will consider the effects these eruptions have had on human history, politics, and art. |