News Volcano Session “Active” 23.01.2026

Collyer’s students have been enjoying a workshop on volcanic hazards from the University of Reading’s Dr Stuart Black, the 14th event in this year’s series of Kirsty Brown Educational Talks. Dr Black led the workshop in the Geology Lab, and focused on using rocks to predict volcanic eruptions.

Dr Ian Carr, Collyer’s Head of Geology and Environmental Science, explained: “For this lively and active workshop, Dr Black brought rock samples from Italy, Japan and Iceland for the students to investigate and try to use their characteristics to predict the likely style of the next eruption.

“It was a brilliant opportunity for the group to get their hands on the rock specimens and examine their characteristics, exploring whether eruptions are likely to be explosive or effusive. Dr Black also linked the hazards associated with volcanic eruptions to their plate tectonic setting and made some great links to the curriculum.”

The Kirsty Brown series focuses on geology and the environment, in memory of geologist and marine biologist Kirsty Brown, who studied geology at Collyer’s and was also a former colleague of Dr Carr. This year talks have covered topics such as ‘Dinosaurs seen from space’ and ‘Surviving Antarctica’. The events have proved extremely popular with students.

Dr Carr added: “Huge thanks to Dr Black, who ran an inspiring, fascinating session enjoyed by all.”

There are another eleven talks left in the series, on a wide range of topics ranging from renewable energy to the Moon, with speakers coming from Oxford University, and as far away as Manchester.