Volcanology podcasts

Bernhard Steinberger examines whether volcanic hotspots provide a fixed reference frame for plate motion. The discussion combines paleomagnetic records, island-chain ages and mantle-flow models, showing how plumes can drift with mantle circulation. Contrasting the Hawaiian and Louisville tracks helps distinguish hotspot motion from changes in plate direction and illustrates the limits of treating hotspots as stationary.

Hosted by Oliver Strimpel

Michael Manga explains how water changes volcanic eruptions, including explosive interactions between magma and external water and the effects of dissolved water as magma depressurizes. The discussion includes the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption and extends to water-related volcanism on Mars and icy moons.