Category Archives: News

Strike me down

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Pete Rowley

Today I join the ranks of striking university staff*. I thought it was worth taking a few minutes to explain why. Toward the end of last year the University Superannuation Scheme (USS), which provides pensions for some 200,000 university staff … Continue reading →

Posted in General, News | 3 Comments

This is the point.

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Pete Rowley

Yesterday the European Space Agency successfully landed the Philae lander on comet 67P. Anyone can appreciate that it’s an astonishing technical achievement, but a recurring theme I have noticed on various news article comments and discussion boards is that there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, General, Geology, News, Science | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Bárðarbunga dyke intrusion

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Pete Rowley

So my previous post on Bárðarbunga focussed on the geochemistry and plumbing of the volcano, but I thought it might be useful to talk a little bit about the activity we’ve witnessed over the last week or so.  While the emphasis is always … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Geology, News, Science, Volcanism | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

#IAVCEI2013 wrap-up & photos

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Pete Rowley

The conference is done, the return flight completed, and the bag of laundry dealt with. The general consensus amongst those I spoke with after the conference (and a view I agree with) was that it certainly ranks up there with … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology, Hazard Assessment, News, Science, Sedimentology, Volcanism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

#IAVCEI2013 – The second best volcanology conference in Kagoshima

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Pete Rowley

It may come as no surprise that Kagoshima – home to the most active volcano in one of the most volcanically active countries in the world – has played host to more than this years IAVCEI meeting when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology, News, Science, Travel, Volcanism | Leave a comment

IAVCEI 2013

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Pete Rowley

Sunday sees the start of the biggest gathering of volcanologists in a specialist conference. The International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) General Assembly is only held every 4 years, each occasion at a different place. … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology, Hazard Assessment, News, Science, Travel, Volcanism | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spaced

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Pete Rowley

Today is the day that Expedition 35 return from the International Space Station. Later tonight they will climb into the docked Soyuz capsule, and perform a re-entry back to Earth, bringing to an end a truly phenomenal period of public … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Education, Geology, News, Physics, Science, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mayon kills 5

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Pete Rowley

Mt Mayon is a beautiful volcano.  The only work I’ve done on it was some years ago during my PhD, when I was doing a little analysis on volcano profiles. I was struck by its incredible symmetry.  So I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology, Hazard Assessment, News, Science, Volcanism | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Meteor madness 2 – look at the size of that thing

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Pete Rowley

So yesterday was all abuzz with cool videos of the Chelyabinsk meteor, and a whole bunch of questions.  How big was it? Did any of it hit the ground? Did it explode or not? How fast was it going? Today … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Geology, Hazard Assessment, News, Physics, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Meteorite madness

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Pete Rowley

[Updated 11.00 am CET] [Update 2 13:40 CET – impact crater located and reported at 6m diameter] [Update 3 20.00 CET – massive revision on the meteorite size. Early estimates of 2 cubic meters and 10 tons, increased by 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, General, Geology, News, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments