Quantifying the Sedimentation of Ignimbrites

Behaviours of pyroclastic and analogue materials, in dry and wet environments, for use in experimental modelling of pyroclastic density currents (2025)
Journal Article
Walding, N., Williams, R., Rowley, P., Dowey, N., Parsons, D., & Bird, A. (2025). Behaviours of pyroclastic and analogue materials, in dry and wet environments, for use in experimental modelling of pyroclastic density currents. Volcanica, 8(1), 261-285. https://doi.org/10.30909/vol/oxkm9163

Modelling pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) is a challenging yet essential element of hazard assessment. PDCs are unpredictable and internal processes are often difficult to measure directly. Analogue experiments have been an important tool for inv... Read More about Behaviours of pyroclastic and analogue materials, in dry and wet environments, for use in experimental modelling of pyroclastic density currents.

The influence of moisture on ash strength: implications for understanding volcanic stratigraphy (2025)
Journal Article
Walding, N., Williams, R., Dowey, N., Rowley, P., Thomas, M., Osman, S., Johnson, M., & Parsons, D. R. (2025). The influence of moisture on ash strength: implications for understanding volcanic stratigraphy. Bulletin of volcanology, 87(6), Article 39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-025-01821-4

Ash layers within extensive pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits can be important in understanding the evolution of explosive eruptions. If interpreted as ashfall deposits, they may be used to identify hiatus episodes and determine how many pyr... Read More about The influence of moisture on ash strength: implications for understanding volcanic stratigraphy.

Anatomy of a volcanic eruption undersea (2023)
Journal Article
Williams, R., & Rowley, P. (2023). Anatomy of a volcanic eruption undersea. Science, 381(6662), 1046-1047. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adk0181

In December 2021, an undersea volcano in the southern Pacific Ocean, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai (hereafter called the Hunga volcano) began erupting. In January 2022 the eruption reached a powerful climax, triggering atmospheric waves that traveled... Read More about Anatomy of a volcanic eruption undersea.

How does grain size distribution impact the mobility and deposition of analogue pyroclastic density currents? (2022)
Thesis
Johnston, T. How does grain size distribution impact the mobility and deposition of analogue pyroclastic density currents?. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4224880

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are hot, density-driven flows of gas, rock and ash generated during explosive volcanic eruptions or from the collapse of lava domes. PDCs are able to travel for tens of km, traversing topographic barriers hundreds... Read More about How does grain size distribution impact the mobility and deposition of analogue pyroclastic density currents?.

Propagation of aerated pyroclastic density current analogues : flow behaviour and the formation of bedforms and deposits (2020)
Thesis
Smith, G. M. Propagation of aerated pyroclastic density current analogues : flow behaviour and the formation of bedforms and deposits. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223270

Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs) are deadly volcanic phenomena which pose an active risk to millions of people. Particularly dangerous due to their great unpredictability, despite decades of study the internal physics of PDCs are still poorly unde... Read More about Propagation of aerated pyroclastic density current analogues : flow behaviour and the formation of bedforms and deposits.

A bedform phase diagram for dense granular currents (2020)
Journal Article
Smith, G., Rowley, P., Williams, R., Giordano, G., Trolese, M., Silleni, A., Parsons, D. R., & Capon, S. (2020). A bedform phase diagram for dense granular currents. Nature communications, 11(1), Article 2873. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16657-z

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are a life-threatening volcanic hazard. Our understanding and hazard assessments of these flows rely on interpretations of their deposits. The occurrence of stratified layers, cross-stratification, and bedforms in... Read More about A bedform phase diagram for dense granular currents.