Geography, Geology and the Environment
Explore this Section
- School of Physical and Geographical Sciences >
- Geography, Geology and the Environment >
- People >
- Ralf Gertisser
I studied Geology at the University of Freiburg, Germany, and the University of Oregon, USA, and received a diploma degree (M.Sc.) in Geology from the University of Freiburg in 1996 with a thesis on the volcanological and geochemical evolution of Monte Fossa delle Felci (Salina, Aeolian Islands, Italy). In 2001, I obtained a doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in Mineralogy from the University of Freiburg with a study on the eruptive history and magmatic evolution of Merapi volcano, Indonesia.
After postdoctoral positions at the University of Freiburg and The Open University, I joined the School of Physical and Geographical Sciences at Keele University in 2005 as a lecturer in Mineralogy and Petrology.
I have a wide range of interests in the fields of igneous petrology and volcanology. At present, these are focussed on understanding the formation and evolution of subduction-related magmas, rates and timescales of magmatic processes using short-lived isotopes, magma chamber processes, volatile emissions and climatic impact of volcanic eruptions, emplacement mechanisms of small-volume pyroclastic flows and assessment of volcanic hazards. Current study areas include the Aeolian Islands (Italy), the Azores (Portugal), Santorini (Greece), the Sunda arc in Indonesia (Merapi) and the Chilean Andes.
I am a member of the Keele Petrology Group and the Research Institute for the Environment, Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics (EPSAM).
Selected Publications
-
2013. Eruptive history and magmatic evolution of the island of Salina (Central Aeolian archipelago). In The Aeolian Islands Volcanoes - Geological Society of London Memoirs. Lucchi F, Peccerillo A, Keller J, Tranne CA, Rossi PL (Eds.). (vol. 37). The Geological Society of London.
-
2013. Compositionally heterogeneous podiform chromitite in the Shetland Ophiolite Complex (Scotland): implications for chromitite petrogenesis and late-stage alteration in the upper mantle portion of a supra-subduction zone ophiolite. LITHOS, vol. 162-163, 279-300. doi>
-
2013. Crustal differentiation processes at Krakatau volcano, Indonesia. JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY, vol. 54, 149-182. doi>
-
2013. Evaluation of the impact of the 2010 pyroclastic density currents at Merapi volcano from high-resolution satellite imagery, field investigations and numerical simulations. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH, vol. 261, 295-315. doi>
-
2013. Magma rheology variations in sheet intrusions of the Ardnamurchan Central Complex (Scotland) inferred from gabbro inclusion characteristics. JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY, vol. 54, 75-102. doi>
Full Publications List show
Journal Articles
-
2013. Compositionally heterogeneous podiform chromitite in the Shetland Ophiolite Complex (Scotland): implications for chromitite petrogenesis and late-stage alteration in the upper mantle portion of a supra-subduction zone ophiolite. LITHOS, vol. 162-163, 279-300. doi>
-
2013. Crustal differentiation processes at Krakatau volcano, Indonesia. JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY, vol. 54, 149-182. doi>
-
2013. Evaluation of the impact of the 2010 pyroclastic density currents at Merapi volcano from high-resolution satellite imagery, field investigations and numerical simulations. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH, vol. 261, 295-315. doi>
-
2013. Magma rheology variations in sheet intrusions of the Ardnamurchan Central Complex (Scotland) inferred from gabbro inclusion characteristics. JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY, vol. 54, 75-102. doi>
-
2013. Magmatic differentiation processes at Merapi volcano: inclusion petrology and oxygen isotopes. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH, vol. 261, 38-49. doi>
-
2013. Paroxysmal dome explosion during the Merapi 2010 eruption: processes and facies relationships of associated high-energy pyroclastic density currents. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH, vol. 261, 260-294. doi>
-
2013. Textural and micro-petrological variations in the eruptive products of the 2006 dome-forming eruption of Merapi volcano, Indonesia: implications for sub-surface processes. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH, vol. 261, 98-120. doi>
-
2013. Textural characterization, major and volatile element quantification and Ar-Ar systematics of spherulites in the Rocche Rosse obsidian flow, Lipari, Aeolian Islands: A temperature continuum growth model. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 165(2), 373-395. doi>
-
2013. The pre-eruptive magma plumbing system of the 2007-2008 dome-forming eruption of Kelut volcano, East Java, Indonesia. CONTRIBUTIONS TO MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY, vol. 166, 275-308. doi>
-
2012. Spatial, temporal and geochemical evolution of Oligo-Miocene granitoid magmatism in western Anatolia, Turkey. GONDWANA RESEARCH, vol. 21, 961-986. doi>
-
2012. The geological evolution of Merapi volcano, Central Java, Indonesia. BULLETIN OF VOLCANOLOGY, vol. 74(5), 1213-1233. doi>
-
2012. Variations in welding characteristics within the Plinian air-fall deposit of the Middle Pumice eruption, Santorini, Greece. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESREARCH, vol. 221-222, 71-82. doi>
-
2012. Evaluation of geophysical mass flow models using the 2006 block-and-ash flows of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia: Towards a short-term hazard assessment tool. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH, vol. 231-232, 87-108. doi>
-
2012. Snapshots of ancient oceanic mantle captured in British and Irish ophiolites. GEOLOGY TODAY, vol. 28, 134-140.
-
2011. Merapi (Java, Indonesia): anatomy of a killer volcano. GEOLOGY TODAY, vol. 27, 57-62. doi>
-
2010. Eyjafjallajökull volcano causes widespread disruption to European air traffic. GEOLOGY TODAY, vol. 26, 94-95. doi>
-
2006. Explosive subaqueous volcanism; edited by J.D.L White, J.L. Smellie & D.A. Clague [Book Review]. GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE, vol. 143, 937-938.
-
2005. Volcanic degassing; edited by C. Oppenheimer, D.M. Pyle & J. Barclay [Book Review]. GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE, vol. 142, 221-222.
-
2004. Volcanoes of Southern Italy; by J. Guest and co-authors [Book Review]. GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE, vol. 141, 745.
-
2003. Temporal variations in magma composition at Merapi Volcano (Central Java, Indonesia): magmatic cycles during the past 2000 years of explosive activity. JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH, vol. 123, 1-23. doi>
-
2000. Distribution, Thickness, Volume and Age of Pumiceous Tephra-Fall Deposits from Major Explosive Eruptions of Merapi Volcano, Central Java, Indonesia. DEUTSCHE GEOPHYSIKALISCHE GESELLSCHAFT - MITTEILUNGEN, vol. 4, 1-6.
-
1998. The Holocene volcanic activity and magmatic evolution of Merapi volcano, Central Java: constraints from stratigraphic, chronologic and geochemical data. DEUTSCHE GEOPHYSIKALISCHE GESELLSCHAFT - MITTEILUNGEN, vol. 3, 15-19.
Chapters
-
2013. Eruptive history and magmatic evolution of the island of Salina (Central Aeolian archipelago). In The Aeolian Islands Volcanoes - Geological Society of London Memoirs. Lucchi F, Peccerillo A, Keller J, Tranne CA, Rossi PL (Eds.). (vol. 37). The Geological Society of London.
-
2010. Ignimbrite stratigraphy and chronology on Terceira Island, Azores. In Stratigraphy and geology of volcanic areas - Geological Society of America Special Papers. Groppelli and Viereck-Goette (Eds.). (vol. 464). The Geological Society of America.
-
2000. Geochemistry and provenance of Devono-Carboniferous volcano-sedimentary sequences from the Southern Vosges Basin and the geodynamic implications for the Western Moldanubian Zone. In Orogenic processes: quantification and modelling in the Variscan belt - Geological Society of London Special Publications. Franke W, Haak V, Oncken O, Tanner D (Eds.). (vol. 179). The Geological Society of London.
Other
-
2012. Santorini - Field trip guide. European Science Foundation – EARTHTIME-EU Workshop “Absolute Timescales for the Quaternary" (pp. 1-20).
-
2012. Volatile and light lithophile trace element geochemistry of the 2010 and other recent eruptions of Merapi volcano, Java, Indonesia.
-
2011. Application of field observations and remote sensing to numerical modeling and hazard assessment of volcanic flows: an example from Merapi Volcano, Indonesia. CERAMAC Special Issue (vol. 3, pp. 35-38). Presses Universitaires Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
-
2009. Evaluating block-and-ash flows: a GPR facies approach from Merapi Volcano, Central Java, Indonesia. Proceedings of the 5th International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (pp. 78-82).
-
2008. GPR facies analysis of block-and-ash flows, Merapi volcano, Central Java (Indonesia): new insights into deposit architecture and emplacement mechanisms. Proceedings of the 27th National Meeting of the Gruppo Nazionale di Geofisica della Terra Solida (pp. 458-462).
-
2007. Dynamics and longevity of the magmatic system of Furnas volcano, Sao Miguel, Azores. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA (vol. 71, p. A318). link>
-
2007. Magma genesis and differentiation at Merapi volcano, Sunda arc, Indonesia. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA (vol. 71, p. A1038). link>
-
Forever blowing bubbles. The Royal Society, London - Summer Science Exhibition.
-
2001. Eruptive history and magmatic evolution of Merapi Volcano (Java, Indonesia): inferences from new radiocarbon age determinations and geochemical and isotopic compositions of lavas and pyroclastic rocks. Abstract Volume – Journées Scientifiques, Clermont-Ferrand (pp. 77-80).
-
Forever blowing bubbles. link>
Year 1
- ESC-10033 : Geology: Rocks - Up Close (Module Leader)
- ESC-10034 : Geology: Time and Space
- ESC-10037 : Geology: Rocks, Minerals and Fossils
- ESC-10045 : Introductory Geology for Environmental Scientists
- CHE-10037 : Forensic Analysis
Year 2
- ESC-20001 : Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- ESC-20032 : Environmental Analytical Methods
- ESC-20039 : Advanced Structural Geology and Geological Mapping Training
Year 3
- ESC-30009 : Natural Hazards
- ESC-30013 : Earth System Science Research Project
- ESC-30019/30035 : AES Independent Research Project
- ESC-30026 : Independent Field Project
- ESC-30030 : Advanced Petrology and Structural Geology Field Course
- ESC-30033 : Volcanic and Magmatic Processes (Module Leader)
- CHE-30011 : Forensic Science Team Research Project
Year 4
- ESC-40004 : Geoscience Research Project
- ESC-40005 : Research in Context
- ESC-40006 : Research Report
- ESC-40012 : MGeoscience: Volcanic and Magmatic Processes (Module Leader)
- ESC-40015 : MGeoscience: Natural Hazards
Field Courses
- ESC-10034 : Pembrokeshire
- ESC-20001 : Shap, Cumbria
- ESC-20010 : Iceland (until 2009)
- ESC-20039 : North Wales
- ESC-30030 : Mull, Scotland
- ESC-30033/40012 : Volcanism of Southern Italy (Field Course Leader)
|
July 2001 |
Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.), University of Freiburg, Germany (awarded "with distinction" (summa cum laude)) Thesis title: Gunung Merapi (Java, Indonesia): Eruptive history and magmatic evolution of a high-risk volcano (translated title) Supervisor: Prof. Dr. J. Keller |
|
Feb. 1996 |
Diplom (M.Sc.) in Geology, University of Freiburg, Germany Thesis title: Volcanological and geochemical evolution of the Monte Fossa delle Felci (Salina, Aeolian Islands) (translated title) Supervisor: Prof. Dr. J. Keller |
|
Sept. 2002 - Aug. 2003 |
Exchange Student, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA |
Positions and Professional Experience
|
Feb. 2005 – present |
Lecturer in Mineralogy and Petrology, Keele University, Keele, UK |
|
Jan. 2006 – Dec. 2006 |
Associate Lecturer, The Open University, UK |
|
Mar. 2005 – present |
Visiting Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, England |
|
Aug. 2003 - Jan. 2005 |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK |
|
Feb. 2002 - July 2003 |
EU Volcano Dynamics RTN Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK (Feb. 2002 - May 2003) and Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal (June 2003 - July 2003) |
|
Aug. 2001 - Jan. 2002 |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany |
|
Jan. 1997 - July 2001 |
Research Fellow at the Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany |
|
Mar. 1996 - Dec. 1996 |
Research and Teaching Assistant, Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany |
|
Jan. 1995 - April 1995 |
Internship with the United States Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii, USA |
|
May 1994 - June 1994 |
Internship with the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany |
Research Interests
My research interests lie in the fields of igneous petrology and volcanology. Present research integrates field, petrological, geochemical and geophysical methods in order to understand magmatic and volcanic processes in volcanic areas around the globe.
Current research projects focus on the following themes:
- Volcanostratigraphy / field volcanology
- Magma genesis and evolution in volcanic arcs
- Rates and timescales of magmatic processes using short-lived isotopes
- Magma chamber processes
- Volatile emissions and climatic impact of volcanic eruptions
- Generation, emplacement mechanisms and numerical modelling of pyroclastic flows
- Volcanic hazards and risks
Present field areas include: Aeolian Islands, Santorini, Azores, Sunda Arc and Chilean Andes.
Recent Grants and Awards
|
2007 |
Funding Body: The Royal Society |
|
2007 |
Funding Body: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) |
|
2007 |
Funding Body: The Nuffield Foundation |
|
2007 |
Funding Body: The Mineralogical Society |
|
2005 |
Funding Body: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) |
|
2003 |
Funding Body: The Royal Society |
Professional Memberships
- Geological Society of London (Fellow since June 2006)
- International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI)
Office
- Committee member, Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group (elected January 2006) http://www.vmsg.org.uk/

