Volcano Experiments at Researchers’ Night

On 25 September, two members of our research group took part in the Researchers’ Night programme at the 19th Volcano Day, organised by the Department of Petrology and Geochemistry at ELTE Faculty of Science.

The programme, entitled “Explosive or Effusive? – Fun Volcano Experiments”, was led by Tamás Sági (ELTE Department of Petrology and Geochemistry), assisted by two international members of our research group, Abigail Martens and Maylis de Dinechin. Through spectacular and engaging experiments, they demonstrated what controls the style of volcanic eruptions: why magma erupts explosively in some cases, while in others it reaches the surface as lava flows.

Visitors could watch experiments simulating lava fountains, explosive eruptions and effusive lava-producing activity, while learning about the volcanological processes behind these spectacular phenomena.

The programme once again provided a great opportunity to bring the fascinating world of volcanoes and the results of volcanological research closer to the public through exciting hands-on experiments.