Volcanoes, Climate, & Soc

Volcanism is a key feature of our dynamic Earth, acting as a major driver of short- and long-term climate variability. In this course, students will learn about past impacts of volcanism on climate and the tools scientists use to reconstruct them. The first part of the course covers the foundations of volcano-climate science by diving into the ice core, tree ring, rock, and historical records of volcanism on Earth. In the second half of the course, case studies of past eruptions will become the primary focus, each illustrating the complexity of understanding volcanic impacts on climate and society and the importance of multidisciplinary studies. Finally, students will reflect on the potential threat of future volcanic events to our globalized world, and the validity of geoengineering campaigns that seek to re-claim control of Earth’s thermostat in the wake of anthropogenic warming. Prerequisites: Reflecting the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the topic, students are required to have taken one of more of the following– EESC 2200 The Solid Earth System; EESC 2300 The Life System; EESC; 2100 The Climate System.