ACCE+ DLA programme: Priming for a supereruption: examining the role of Glass Mountain in the buildup to the climactic Bishop Tuff supereruption, USA

Project Summary: This project will study the deposits, chemical compositions and crystal cargoes of magmas erupted from the Glass Mountain edifice (California, USA) By comparing this with data from the Bishop Tuff supereruption we can understand the differences in magmatic processes that drove the transition to large-scale (>600km³) magma accumulation.

Supereruptions (where more than 450 km³ of magma is erupted in a single event) are cataclysmic. They have the potential to have devastating impacts on the local populations and cause global changes in climate. Whilst there are many active large caldera-forming volcanic systems, the human population has not yet lived through a supereruptive event. Supereruptive systems frequently produce smaller eruptions with more limited global impacts, and only sometimes catastrophic supereruptions. We need to understand why this happens as the only way to mitigate the effects of these highly explosive eruptions is by effective forecasting.

This multidisciplinary PhD project will tackle how the Glass Mountain volcanic system (California, USA) evolved 2.1 - 0.8 Ma, and how it compares to the supereruptive Bishop Tuff system (765 ka) which followed it.. This PhD will address geochemical controversies in geochronology and integrate geochemical and physical analogue modelling to constrain the conditions for priming of supervolcanic eruptions. To address this aim, this PhD has the following objectives:

O1: Undertake field study and sampling of the Glass Mountain sequence for cutting edge mineralogical study. The fieldwork may involve work in remote back country areas, and the use of drones.

O2: Collect textural and mineral compositional information by Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry at the University of Liverpool. These data will allow us to interpret the processes responsible for the generation of smaller volume high-silica magmas, and model the temperatures and pressures of magma ascent.

O3: Use a range of geochronometric techniques on zircon, quartz and sanidine crystals. This timescale data will facilitate assessments of how long magmas resided in the crust, whether there was interaction between magma batches, and how long it took to prepare magmas for eruption.

O4: Construct analogue models that explore the physical conditions for magma storage or eruption, using state-of-the-art laser imaging at the University of Liverpool MAGMA lab.

Research environment & training You will become a member of the vibrant postgraduate research community in the Department of Earth Ocean and Ecological sciences, as well as having access to the ACCE+ training opportunities for your entire cohort across multiple institutions. You will join the Volcanology at Liverpool Team and be able to share and discuss your results with the team of PhD, PDRA and academic researchers for more informal mentoring and development outside of your core supervisors. You will be given bespoke training in all methods required for data collection, and will be able to engage in more general training opportunities as they arise.

How to Apply

Please see the ACCE website for all details of how to apply to the programme at each ACCE+ institution: https://accedtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/. 

All applicants to ACCE+ must complete the ACCE+ personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a CV and the contact details of two referees.

Part-Time Study Options

All ACCE+ PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme. 

Project CASE Status

This project is not a CASE project.