
Maar crater morphometry:
The shape and size of maar craters on Earth provides new insight into the eruptions that formed them and how we might recognize these features on other planets. This project involves remote sensing, field work, and data analysis.
The MaarVLS (Maar Volcano Location and Shape) database has been recently (2021) updated to Version 2.0. Access MaarVLS through Vhub.org.
The shape and size of maar craters on Earth provides new insight into the eruptions that formed them and how we might recognize these features on other planets. This project involves remote sensing, field work, and data analysis.
The MaarVLS (Maar Volcano Location and Shape) database has been recently (2021) updated to Version 2.0. Access MaarVLS through Vhub.org.

Eruptions involving water and ice:
explosive subaqueous interactions, effusive subaqueous lava flows, intrusions into wet and frozen sediments, emergent Surtseyan activity, lava/ice interaction, drainage of englacial lakes / outburst floods, central volcano construction etc.
explosive subaqueous interactions, effusive subaqueous lava flows, intrusions into wet and frozen sediments, emergent Surtseyan activity, lava/ice interaction, drainage of englacial lakes / outburst floods, central volcano construction etc.
Molten basalt and external water:
When magma and water meet it doesn't always explode, but sometimes it does. The conditions that lead to explosive or non-explosive interactions can be explored in the field and experimentally. From melting small volumes of melt in my lab at UMKC to the University of Buffalo outdoor facility to melt 30 liters of basalt (Geohazard Studies Field Station), the goal of the project is to investigate the geometries and kinematics of these interactions and the resulting signatures in the products. Experiments are ongoing. Photo by Brandon Parigo for UMKC. |

Man Made Maars:
Large-scale outdoor cratering experiments using chemical explosives to model maar-diatreme type volcanoes. At the Center for Geohazard Studies Field Station, operated by the University at Buffalo. Experiments took place in May and October 2013, June 2014, and spring of 2015. There is still a lot of data yet to be analyzed. Check out videos of the experiments here.
Large-scale outdoor cratering experiments using chemical explosives to model maar-diatreme type volcanoes. At the Center for Geohazard Studies Field Station, operated by the University at Buffalo. Experiments took place in May and October 2013, June 2014, and spring of 2015. There is still a lot of data yet to be analyzed. Check out videos of the experiments here.

Historic lahars and outburst floods from volcanic sources:
using the depositonal record of historic lahars to identify the range of trigger mechanisms on a snow clad volcano with a crater lake.
Image: 2007 Snow slurry lahar in the Whangaehu Valley, Mt. Ruapehu
using the depositonal record of historic lahars to identify the range of trigger mechanisms on a snow clad volcano with a crater lake.
Image: 2007 Snow slurry lahar in the Whangaehu Valley, Mt. Ruapehu
Students:
These projects have involved numerous student researchers and volunteers. Those who had their own projects are listed here. Graduate Students: Brooke Benz, UMKC (current): Magma storage and pathways at Askja Volcano Ivana Torres, UMKC (current): Experimental interactions between magma and sediment Sydney Steele, UMKC (current): Project-based learning and urban natural hazards Joseph Nolan, UMKC (current): Volcanic crater geometries on Earth and Mars Hannah Grachen, UMKC (2022): Sediment mingling or melting? Guffey Butte Idaho Aaron Galletly, UMKC (2021): Intrusion geometries in wet sediment Amanda Santilli, UMKC (2020): Magma residence in glacier covered volcanoes Kadie Bennis, UMKC (2019): Magma sediment interactions at 71 Gulch Volcano, Idaho Cody Nichols, UMKC (2018): Orientation of maar craters and regional structural controls Elodie Macorps, University at Buffalo/Clermont Ferrand (June 2015): Experimental and field study of the host-substrate influence on phreatomagmatic eruptions and the formation of maar-diatremes. Post-baccalaureate researchers: Ramiro Flores-Martinez (2022): Sediment characterization before and after interaction with magma Undergraduate students: Julia Bruno (2024): Sedimentary xenoliths from maars Mya Thomas (2023): Measuring small lava tubes Sam Hart (2022): Ejecta characterization Clear Lake Maars Kyle Broley (2021): Sedimentary xenoliths in spatter deposits Alex Bearden (2019): Influence of topography on maar crater shape Jaime Crouse (2019): Secondary impact craters on the Moon Julia Boyd (2018): Experimental crater shapes Emma Reynolds (2017): Sediment and magma mingling Hannah Pennington (2017): Hazard maps for small volcanic fields, Bishoftu Ethiopia Nate Hay (2017): Hydrology and maars Aaron Banes (2017): Thermokarst depressions on Mars Zachary Grosso (2016): Crater shape analysis of maars Kevin Tan (2016): Channel modification in lahar paths Laressa Davis (2016): Experimental lava viscosity estimates Casterland Fanfan (2015): Sediment analysis from multiple explosion crater experiments Esteven Tineo Mateo (2015): Analysis of maar crater shapes on Earth Yingchen Lee (2015): Study of maars and their proximity to human populations Racheal Whiteside (2015): Computationally analyzing the ballistics from maar experimental blasts Erika Dohring (2014): Sediment analysis and componentry of ejecta from crater experiments Andrea Verolino (2013): Explosion jet shape analysis from discrete explosions Mary Kate Ellis (2013): Remote sensing of the current distribution of the 1875 deposit over Askja |