Almost 10% of the global population lives within 100 km of an active volcano. Recent eruptions in the South-West Pacific, Guatemala and Hawaii have reminded us that we need to improve our understanding of volcanoes to minimise fatalities, injuries and disruptions on air traffic.

Why do volcanoes erupt? Will we be able to predict eruptions in the future?

UQ scientists investigate the products of volcanic eruptions – volcanic rocks and the crystals they contain – to read the processes that led to eruptions in the past, with the aim of helping to inform volcano monitoring efforts in the future.

Join Dr Teresa Ubide on a journey ‘inside’ volcanoes. Every volcano has a story, which can be read on volcanic crystals using microscopic laser chemical techniques.