Paul Cole

Academic profile

Dr Paul Cole

Associate Professor of Volcanology
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Paul's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

Goal 11: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

About Paul

2017 - presentÌý- Associate Professor in Volcanology, Â鶹´«Ã½ University

2013-2017 - Lecturer in Geohazards, Â鶹´«Ã½ University

2009-2012Ìý- Director, Montserrat Volcano Observatory, for University of the West Indies.

2002 - 2009Ìý- Senior Lecturer in Natural Hazards, Coventry University.

1995 - 2002 - Research Fellow, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer - University of Luton.

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1993 -1994 - Post doc on the EU framework 5 project on Furnas volcano, Sao Miguel in the Azores, based at University College London.

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1991 - 1992 - Royal Society Post Doc at the Dip Geofisica and Vulcanologia, Universita di Napoli, Italy working on the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff, caldera forming eruption of Campi Flegrei, and also Volcanic hazards in the city of Naples.

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Research interests:

My research focuses on explosive volcanism and its products. Recent work has been based on active volcanoes, combining observations of activity with geophysical data together, and study of the products to provide a greater understanding of mechanisms and processes in these complex and fascinating phenomena:ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

  • Emplacement mechanisms of the deposits of various types of Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs), ranging from ignimbrites to relatively small volume PDCs.
  • Processes associated with explosive eruptions, including complex multiphase explosive eruptions.
  • Remobilisation of tephra as lahars and their emplacement mechanisms.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
  • Geomorphological development of volcanic terrains and study them using various techniques including remote sensing and GIS.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
  • Hazard and risk posed by volcanoes, particularly exploring ways of mapping and communicating hazard and risk using GIS.Ìý



Grants:

  • 2026-2029 Leverhulme trust £0.5M Volcanic histories: new views of eruptions and impacts via the Eastern Caribbean. Co-I
  • 2025-2028 NERC Large Grant £3.7M Ex-X Expecting the Unexcpected. Understanding Dangerous volcanic tranistions. Co-I
  • 2021 NERCÌýUrgencyÌý61,000ÌýLa Soufriere 2021: Recharge, remobilisation or complete renewal of a magmatic systemÌýCo-PI
  • 2019 NERC Urgency £63,000– Tsunamigenic mass flows at Stromboli Volcano- analysis and modelling after the 3rd of July eventsÌýCo-PI
  • 2014 - NERC NCRFÌýÌý£7000 'Eruption frequency at Soufriere, St Vincent' PI
  • 2013Ìý-ÌýNERC Urgency £51,817ÌýÌý'Explosive activity at Volcán de Colima, México - Extrusion rates and eruption mechanisms' PI
  • 2012 - NERC/ESRCÌýProject partner inÌýÌý'Strengthening Resilience in Volcanic Areas' (STREVA)Ìý2012-2016
  • 2002-2006 EU Fr 7Ìý191k Euro 'EXPLORISÌýEXPLOSIVE ERUPTION RISK AND DECISION SUPPORT FOR EU POPULATIONS THREATENED BY VOLCANOES. Co-PI

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Serving as external examiner:

  • BSc Geography and Natural Hazards, BSc Geography (Coventry University) 2024 -
  • MSc Volcanology - University of Bristol 2016-2021
  • MSc Geophysical Hazards - University College London 2014-2019

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Supervised Research Degrees

Completed

  • Symeon Makris 2024 (2nd Supervisor) - Propagation of volcanic and non-volcanic landslide: a combined field, experimental and numerical approach.
  • Amy Peach 2023 (Director of Studies) - Historic and prehistoric volcanic activity at St Kitts and Nevis, West Indies: Controls on future hazard.
  • Lara Mani PhDÌý2018 Â鶹´«Ã½ University (Director of Studies)' 3D visualisation of volcanic hazards" - creating a volcanic hazards education tool using the concept of serious games'ÌýÌý
  • Jon Stone PhDÌý2016 University of East AngliaÌý(third supervisor) - Community monitoring of Volcanic Hazards.Ìý
  • Mel Froude PhD 2014 University of East AngliaÌý-(third supervisor)ÌýLahars on Montserrat, West IndiesÌý
  • Delioma Oramas Dorta PhD 2009 Coventry University (Director of Studies) 3D terrain modelling and volcanic hazard assesment at Arenal volcano, Costa Rica.
  • Odeh El Mashan PhD 2006 Coventry University (Second supervisor) A GIS methodology for Landfill site Location
  • Stuart Dunning PhD 2004 University of Luton (Director of Studies) Rock Avalanches
  • Lucy Ritchie PhD 2001 University of Luton (Director of Studies) Field and Experimental Studies of Pyroclastic Density Currents and their associated deposits
  • Chris Dibben PhD 1999 University of Luton (third supervisor).

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Teaching

I am module leader for:

  • GEES 1203 Climate Tectonics and Hazards
  • GEES 3203 Frontiers in Geoscience

I also contribute to:

  • GEES 1201 Sustainable Geoscience
  • GEES 1202 Earth Materials
  • GEES 1204 The Life and Death of an Ocean
  • GEES 2202 The Earths Interior and resources
  • GEES 2204 The Building of Britain
  • GEES 3201 Geoscience research project
  • MGEOL Project

Programme Lead for Earth Sciences 2016 -2020

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Contact Paul

B525 Portland Square, Drake Circus, Â鶹´«Ã½, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 585985