Will Hutchison

My research is focused on active volcanoes and ancient magmatic systems. I try to understand the critical processes that drive magmatic systems, and how we can safely and sustainably develop the resources they offer. My PhD research was focused on silicic volcanoes in the Main Ethiopian Rift. For this I used a variety of techniques to explore structural controls on volcanism, volcanic degassing, causes of ground deformation and the impacts of large explosive eruptions. Much of this work has been picked up and significantly developed by the RiftVolc team. I am currently based at the University of St Andrews where I am working as part of the HiTech AlkCarb consortium on alkaline magmatic systems. In particular, I am investigating the fossilized remnants of the ~1 billion year old Gardar Rift Province in southern Greenland. The Gardar is an exceptionally well-preserved rift system (eroded to 2–5 km depth) and allows us to directly examine the magma plumbing system. I’m keen to explore whether we can use the insights from this ancient rift to better understand the active magmatic processes taking place beneath East Africa today.