The VMSG Annual Meeting 2026 is proud to host four workshops covering interpreting volcanic deposits in marine sediment cores, the power of storytelling for reconstructing volcanic events and experiences, pyroclastic density current stratigraphies and new frontiers in petrology. Workshops 1 – 3 will be held from 09:00 – 12:00 on Monday the 5th January 2026, workshop 4 will be held 09:30 – 16:30 on Thursday 8th January 2026.
The workshop fee includes lunch and refreshments. The workshop titles and outlines are as follows:
1. Interpreting volcanic deposits in marine sediment cores (BOSCORF) - £30 (maximum 25 people) Monday 5th January 2026 09:00 – 12:30
This workshop will be co-ordinated by Michael Clare, James Hunt and Isobel Yeo (National Oceanography Centre) and Cian McGuire and Miros Charidemou (British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility (BOSCORF))
A huge number of the planet’s volcanoes lie in, or close to, the oceans. As a result, a vast quantity of volcanic material is deposited in the marine realm every year. These volcanoes are hard to observe or monitor using traditional methods, yet their eruptions can be catastrophic, generating wide ranging hazards that impact coastal communities and infrastructure. Understanding eruption styles, frequencies and other potential hazards (like flank collapse, which can generate tsunamis) is essential to forecast and mitigate the risk posed by marine volcanoes. For many such volcanoes the only record of past events is found on the ocean floor, sampled primarily through coring. Thus, these cores provide a unique record of marine volcanism and an essential tool for understanding the hazards posed.
In this workshop we will overview the analytical capabilities of BOSCORF, the UK’s cutting-edge sediment core analysis facility, with specific reference to cores containing volcanic records. We will discuss applications of different analytical techniques, including resolution, accuracy and precision. We will then look at different marine sediment cores held at BOSCORF (and their associated analytical datasets) that record different hazardous volcanic events, and compare and contrast characteristic and diagnostic features. We welcome volcano researchers at all career stages, particularly those interested in working with marine records and volcanic sediments, and those who would like to get hand-on experience of sediment core logging.
2. Once upon a time in a crisis – the power of stories & storytelling - £10 (maximum 30 people) Monday 5th January 2026 09:00 – 12:30
This workshop will be co-ordinated by Jenni Barclay (University of Bristol) and Richard Robertson (University of the West Indies).
Volcanic crises are the crucibles through which major advances in volcanology are derived, yet most volcanologist are trained only in the physical sciences with little or no practical and critical thinking skills needed to function effectively during these moments. The volcanologist involved must balance high personal and societal risk with the need for interpretation of uncertain scientific data that requires rapid communication to guide decision making. Stories that scientists tell can provide a mechanism for sharing and shaping understanding and reveals much about the critical dimensions of risk created by a volcanic crisis. So, storytelling methods can help explore and understand the tensions involved for these scientists, and through their analysis we can understand the most effective ways to navigate volcanic crises.
This workshop will use storytelling methods to explore and understand the critical tensions between scientific knowledge and the decision-making imperatives faced by volcanologists navigating a volcanic crisis. Through a series of shared reflections and stories, we will not only identify these tensions but consider the implications for populations at risk and how these can be better navigated by volcanologists.
Volcanologists at all career stages are welcome to this workshop, from those curious about this method, or interested to hear these stories, to those with stories to share and compare.
3. New Frontiers in the Petrological Toolbox - £30 (maximum 20 people) Monday 5th January 2026 09:00 – 12:30
This workshop will be co-ordinated by Martin Mangler and Gregor Weber (University of Southampton)
From the early microscopic descriptions of minerals to today’s high-precision geochemical facilities, igneous petrology continues to advance our understanding of the magmatic processes driving volcanic eruptions.
This workshop will explore key innovations that are transforming how we observe, analyse, and model igneous systems, focusing on three core aspects of modern petrology through short lectures, demonstrations, and practicals:
- Textural Analysis: We will dive into the world of crystal textures and get a practical sense of the pitfalls surrounding the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of crystal size and shape data.
- Machine Learning in Thermobarometry: We will build a machine-learning-powered thermobarometer, highlighting the rationale, mechanics, and caveats to such methods, and discuss the use and misuse of such thermobaromeric data.
- Geochemical Imaging: We will visit the University of Southampton’s world-class Centre for Earth Research and Analysis to explore novel analytical techniques, such as time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which enables acquisition of high-resolution geochemical maps, opening new frontiers in petrology.
We welcome both petrologists and non-petrologists at all career stages. If possible, please bring a laptop to participate in hands-on components.
4. Recording and interpreting pyroclastic stratigraphies - £30 (maximum 30 people) Thursday 8th January 2026 09:30 – 16:30
This workshop will be co-ordinated by the FIAMME Project Team, led by Natasha Dowey (Sheffield Hallum University), Pete Rowley (University of Bristol) and Rebecca Williams (University of Hull), and the IAVCEI Commission for Volcanogenic Sediments
This workshop will challenge the way in which we record and interpret pyroclastic stratigraphies, with a particular focus on pyroclastic density currents. The workshop will provide training on recording pyroclastic sequences, and discussion around the numerous underlying assumptions and paradigms which work often builds on. Activities will focus on applying and challenging accepted practices in qualitative and quantitative data capture, sampling strategies and conceptual models for sequence interpretation, and reconstructing PDC dynamics and depositional histories. Participants will depart with a robust framework for ignimbrite analysis methodologies, for both modelling and hazard evaluation.
We welcome volcano researchers at all career stages, whether those interested in learning these methodologies, or seasoned experts who want to contribute to the discussion.