2023 Faculty Courses School of Science Undergraduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Volcanology
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Wataru Kanda
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Tue (S4-201(S421)) / 7-8 Fri (S4-201(S421))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- EPS.A332
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course outlines volcanoes and volcanic activity, which characterize the Japanese archipelago, by introducing the latest examples of eruptions and observations. This course comprises 10 lectures and a day trip session which will be held on Saturday. The main lecture contents are "Introduction to the Volcanology: volcanoes and subduction zones", "Generation of magma and eruption mechanism", "Volcanic hazards and risk mitigation", "Surveying volcanoes: structure of a volcano", "Monitoring volcanoes: volcanic activity", etc.
Course description and aims
[Goal]
Students will learn about the volcano and volcanic activity, which characterize the Japanese Archipelago. Students will understand the basic knowledge about volcanic eruptions, expected volcanic disasters, and a hazard mitigation system, to take appropriate action when they encounter eruptions. In addition, students will learn about several volcanic observation methods to understand the present state of the volcano.
[Theme]
This course provides a wide range of fundamental knowledge about the volcano. The contents cover many topics including the origin of volcanoes, eruption styles, volcanic ejecta, and observation methods. Students will also learn about disasters caused by volcanic eruptions and disaster mitigation. In a day trip excursion, students will visit an active volcano and observe volcanic ejecta and geographical feature of a volcano, through which they will experience a living volcano.
Keywords
volcanic eruption, volcanic activity, volcanic hazard, volcanic observation, magma
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Attendance is taken in each class. To deepen students' understanding, a homework assignment is given for each lecture. Report assignment given for three-day outdoor training.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Guidance of the course, Introduction to the Volcanology |
After the explanation of the overall lecture, learn an introduction to volcanology |
| Class 2 | Generation of magma and eruption mechanism |
Learn how magma is generated, rises, and erupts |
| Class 3 | Eruption dynamics |
Learn about explosive eruptions by modeling multiphase flow in conduits |
| Class 4 | Monitoring volcanoes using the geophysical method |
Learn about the monitoring methods of volcanic activity. Examples of several volcanoes are explained. |
| Class 5 | Surveying volcanoes using the geophysical method |
Learn about the survey methods of the volcanic structure. Examples of several volcanoes are explained. |
| Class 6 | Volcanic hydrothermal systems and the geochemical method |
Learn about volcanic hydrothermal systems and their main research method: geochemical methods |
| Class 7 | Volcanic hazards and risk mitigation |
Understand the disaster caused by volcanic eruptions and learn about the structure of volcanic hazard mitigation |
| Class 8 | Pre-learning about day excursion |
Learn about a volcano (Asama or Fuji) on a day trip |
| Class 9 | Day trip to a volcano |
A day trip to Asama or Fuji volcano to learn about volcanic ejecta and landforms (on Saturday) |
| Class 10 | Kusatsu-Shirane Volcanoーan example of the volcano with a well-developed hydrothermal system |
Learn about Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano from the viewpoint of a well-developed hydrothermal system, such as activity history and subsurface structure model |
| Class 11 | Volcanoes in the world |
Learn about representative examples of volcanic eruptions around the world and types of volcanoes not seen in Japan |
Study advice (preparation and review)
After every two classes, the students will have an assignment on the relevant topic of the lecture.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Lecture notes (in Japanese) are provided at the time of every class.
Reference books (in Japanese): 「火山学Ⅰ,Ⅱ」（古今書院）、「火山学」（共立出版）、「火山噴火と災害」（東京大学出版会）
Evaluation methods and criteria
No examination. Two credits will be awarded both with the attendance to the lectures (ten lectures and report problems) 、
Related courses
- LAS.A110 ： Earth and Space Sciences, Laboratory and Field Studies (geophysics)
- LAS.A111 ： Earth and Space Sciences, Laboratory and Field Studies (earth materials)
- EPS.A205 ： Introduction to Earth Sciences
- EPS.A336 ： Seismology
Prerequisites
none