Professor Colin Wilson - The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes (2018)

Royal Society Te Apārangi | 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture
The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes

There is no denying that as New Zealand sits astride the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates our land is subject to tremendous natural forces. We may commonly experience this as a gentle but sometimes a severe shuddering of earthquakes. Yet with Aotearoa dotted with cones and calderas, Kiwis should also keep in mind that the Taupō Eruption was actually the world’s most violent volcanic eruption in the last 5000 years!

Colin Wilson has gathered many accolades for studying volcanoes, and in particular, those giant examples known as supervolcanoes. He likens his work to that of a crime scene investigator, where he travels the world piecing together the dual puzzle of why such cataclysmic explosions occur and why they are joined by much smaller eruptions. He aims to forecast volcanic phenomena with enough warning so that communities can respond. But although Colin is digging deep in the Earth’s crust to find the triggering mechanisms, volcanic systems are not letting their secrets go easily…

In 2017, British born New Zealand geologist Professor Colin Wilson was awarded Royal Society Te Apārangi’s highest honour, the Rutherford Medal, for his research into understanding large, explosive supervolcanoes and the dangers they pose. Yet although significant eruptions are still rare, threats from volcanic activity are considered a very serious natural hazard for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2018 New Zealand Rutherford Lecture was proudly presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with GNS Science, EQC and Victoria University of Wellington. Strong support from these organisations comes from the belief that New Zealanders will greatly benefit both from learning about and gaining a better awareness of this ‘sleeping’ giant in our midst.

This talk was the 22nd out of 23 presentations from what was the most extensive national tour ever presented by Royal Society Te Apārangi. It was held in Victoria University of Wellington's Rutherford House on Wednesday 12 September 2018.

[RobinCapper]

Saw this talk live, was fascinating. Great to have a reference beyond my hasty notes!

[billynomates]

the slide at 1:40 is based on a relative density of 1 i.e of water. apparently explosive magma does contain around 5% water but even molten, you would have to imagine stone to have a reletive density above 2 so 500 km cubed and then when transmogrified to pumice and ash (which float on water hence rel. density<1) would give 1500 km cubed for a rel. density of 2/3. pick a number in the middle and we get the nice round thousand km3 given on the slide. just to give a little checksum of the figures but yeah, if a trillion tones of magma is ejected, that really is how deep it's gonna bury everything! 🌋

[Kjt]

This was pretty entertaining and enlightening.

[enckidoofalling]

Thank you how about our recent Tonga eruption for a lecture? Apparently it does this more often than anyone knew? A VEI 6. Thanks Leilani Estates resident

[bryandguitar]

At 2:18: A bottle of Coke (plug, plug, say no more :o) from the dairy? Perhaps "dairy" is the British term for the refrigerated liquids section in a food store.

[nibiruresearch]

I know of a missing link in the education of geologists. They tell us that our planet Earth has the most to fear from an asteroid impact or volcano eruptions. But when we look at the many horizontal layers that we find everywhere on our planet, we clearly see the effect of a repeating cataclysm. These disasters are mentioned in ancient books like the Mahabharata from India and the Popol Vuh from the Mayans and others. They tell us about a cycle of seven disasters that separate the eras from the world. Certainly, regularly recurring global disasters cannot be caused by asteroid impacts or volcanic eruptions. The only possible cause is another celestial body, a planet, orbiting our sun in an eccentric orbit. Then it is close to the sun for a short period and after the crossing at a very high speed it disappears into the universe for a long time. Planet 9 exists, but it seems invisible. These disasters cause a huge tidal wave of seawater that washes over land "above the highest mountains." At the end it covers the earth with a layer of mud, a mixture of sand, clay, lime, fossils of marine and terrestrial animals and small and larger meteorites. Forests that existed are flattened and because of the pressure from the layers on top the wood is changed into coal. These disasters also create a cycle of civilizations. To learn much more about the recurring flood cycle, the re-creation of civilizations and its chronology and ancient high technology, read the e-book: "Planet 9 = Nibiru". It can be read on any computer, tablet or smartphone. Search: invisible nibiru 9

[JENKEM]

At this poyent ah'd layk kyu to jowin wiff me, en welcome profesar cullen wilsun

[AlohaMilton]

Snoring? Pulling the blankets off? More like flatulence that renders the entire bedroom uninhabitable! I am so glad that analogy came at the end, I just could not stop laughing thinking of more realistic comparisons... I know, totally immature. Sorry. Also, Urban Dictionary would like Professor Wilson's input on the origins of the term 'private idaho' I think he may have some knowledge to contribute to refute the B-52's theory, which is nonsense.

[travisjochimsen]

He was wrong about Trump..what else is he wrong about?