Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | End of module assessment 2 questions from a list of 6 (up to 1500 words each) 3000 Words | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | End of module assessment (resit) 2 questions from a list of 6 (up to 1500 words each) 3000 Words | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Conduct independent research
Use and interpret numeric data sets
Use and interpret paleoenvironmental data sets
Place hypotheses of volcanically driven environmental change in a global context
Assess the impact of volcanic activity upon human cultural development
Describe the hazards associated with different forms of volcanic activity and illustrate their mitigation with appropriate case studies
Brief description
This module places volcanic activity at the centre of much that has or will happen in the world, from the development of complex lifeforms and mass extinctions to revolution and the rise and fall of empires.
Aims
This module will investigate the interrelationship between volcanic activity and the planet's environment. We will explore this theme on several scales, from rare flood basalt eruptions associated with mass extinction events through massive explosive eruptions which have generated climate change to small scale events which erupt on a daily basis. Where appropriate we will draw on archaeological and historical data as well as satellite monitoring of volcanic processes. Students will be exposed to current research in all these areas. The hazards component will be explored by reviewing these and exploring appropriate case studies of disasters and successful mitigation.
Content
- Volcanic activity and atmospheric evolution
- Flood basalt volcanism and global environmental stress - mass extinctions
- Super eruptions: glaciations, genetic bottlenecks, extinctions and extreme climate modification
- Fissure eruptions: climate change and atmospheric pollution
- Explosive eruptions of the Holocene: climate change and social response
- Health impacts of volcanic activity
- Volcanic gasesand atmospheric chemistry
- Volcanic activity and human cultural responses
- Cities at risk
- Hazard events - impacts and mitigation
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Critical and analytical thinking | Assessing the magnitude and potential impact of extreme events and critically assessing the evidence for impact and social, cultural and environmental response. |
| Reflection | Considering and amalgamating environmental data |
| Subject Specific Skills | Interpreting temperature records. Interpreting fossil records. Analysing documentary evidence. Balancing the magnitude of events with the vulnerability of affected environments. An understanding of the vasriabiluity of weather patterns. An appreciation of how human history and development has been affected by extreme volcanic events. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6