ITB Geological Engineering Seminar Discusses Magma Movement and Its Impact on Volcanic Disasters
By Rayhan Adri Fulvian - Mahasiswa Teknik Geofisika, 2021
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Prof. Valentin R. Troll, Head of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development at Uppsala University, served as the keynote speaker at SEMAT (Friday Seminar), presenting on the topic “A Chemical Probe into the Earth’s Interior; High Resolution Sampling of Recent Basaltic Eruptions in La Palma and Iceland.”
The event was organized by the Master's and Doctoral Programs of Geological Engineering ITB, in collaboration with the Indonesian Association of Geologists (IAGI), the ITB Geological Engineering Postgraduate Association (IPTG-ITB), the Geological Engineering Student Association “GEA” ITB, the Polytechnic of Geology and Mining "AGP," and Uppsala University. The seminar was conducted virtually on Friday, February 14, 2025.
During the session, Prof. Troll explored advanced chemical analysis methods to study magma movement within the Earth. He focused particularly on geochemical data from the recent eruptions in La Palma and Iceland, which reveal the complexities of subterranean magma systems. "Through high-resolution sampling, we can trace the evolution of magma from its origin deep within the Earth all the way to its emergence at the surface," explained Prof. Troll.
He elaborated on the 2021 eruption of Mount Cumbre Vieja in La Palma, an event that drew global attention not only due to its devastating impact on residential areas but also because of significant shifts in lava composition—an indicator of the intricate and heterogeneous nature of the underlying magma system.
“We often assume that magma beneath the Earth’s surface is homogeneous, when in reality it is far more complex, comprising multiple interacting magma pockets,” he emphasized.
In addition to La Palma, the seminar also highlighted volcanic activity in Iceland, which displays a distinct eruptive behavior. Unlike the centralized eruptions observed in La Palma, Iceland’s volcanic events tend to occur along extensive fissure systems. By comparing these two settings, researchers can gain deeper insights into magma movement patterns and understand how local geological conditions influence eruption styles.
The study underscored the critical role of monitoring and chemical analysis in mitigating volcanic disaster risks. Although accurately predicting the precise timing and location of future eruptions remains a major challenge in volcanology, data from La Palma and Iceland provide valuable clues for forecasting potential eruption patterns.
“We may not yet be able to pinpoint exactly when or where a volcano will erupt, but by deepening our understanding of magmatic processes, we can enhance our preparedness for their impacts,” concluded Prof. Troll.
Reporter: Rayhan Adri Fulvian (Geophysical Engineering, 2021)
Translator: Malika Fatima Lawe (Microbiology, 2022)
