Ralf Gertisser

Biography

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 was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2012.

Research and scholarship

I have a wide range of interests in the fields of igneous petrology and volcanology. At present, these are focused on the following themes:

• Volcanostratigraphy
• Magma genesis and evolution in volcanic arcs and other geodynamic settings
• Magmatic processes and their impact on eruption dynamics
• Rates and timescales of magmatic processes using short-lived isotopes
• Volatile behaviour in volcanic systems and the environmental impact of volcanic eruptions
• Emplacement of pyroclastic density currents
• Volcanic hazards and risks

Current study and field areas include:

• Aeolian Islands (Italy)
• Azores (Portugal)
• Santorini (Greece)
• Sunda arc, Indonesia (Merapi)

I am a member of the Keele Petrology Group, and research centre lead of the Centre of Geography, Geology and the Environment.

Teaching

Year 1

• ESC-10054 : Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology (Module Leader)

Year 2

• ESC-20001 : Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

Year 3

• ESC-30009 : Natural Hazards
• ESC-30026 : Independent Field Project
• ESC-30030 : Advanced Petrology and Structural Geology Field Course
• ESC-30032 : Geoscience: Independent Field Project
• ESC-30033 : Volcanic and Magmatic Processes (Module Leader)

Year 4 (MGeoscience)

• ESC-40004 : Geoscience Research Project
• ESC-40005 : Research in Context
• ESC-40006 : Research Report
• ESC-40015 : MGeoscience: Natural Hazards

MSc Geoscience Research - Programme Director

• ESC-40042 : Literature Review
• ESC-40043 : Specific Research Skills
• ESC-40044 : Dissertation
• ESC-40045 : Generic Research Skills
• ESC-40046 : Research Project Design and Management (Module Leader)
• ESC-40036 : Geoscience option module: Volcanic and Magmatic Processes (Module Leader)

Field Courses

• ESC-10034 : Pembrokeshire
• ESC-20001 : Shap, Cumbria
• ESC-20039 : North Wales
• ESC-30030 : Mull, Scotland
• ESC-30033/40036 : Southern Italy / Santorini (Field Course Leader)

PGR Students

• Rebecca Wiltshire, Keele University (2016 – )
  Topic: Pre-eruptive magmatic processes and volatile behaviour of medium-sized eruptions at subduction zone volcanoes
  
  
• Sean Whitley, Keele University (2015 – )
  Topic: Xenoliths as tracers of magmatic and intra-crustal processes at subduction zone volcanoes. Co-supervisor with R. Halama.
  
  
• Luke Hepworth, Keele University (2018)
  Linking in situ crystallisation and magma replenishment in the Rum Layered Intrusion, NW Scotland. Co-supervisor with B. O’Driscoll, S. Daly & C. Donaldson.
  
  
• Adam Jeffery, Keele University (2016)
  Petrogenesis and contrasting eruption styles of peralkaline silicic magmas from Terceira and São Miguel, Azores.
  
  
• Liam Bullock, Keele University (2015)
  Structure, emplacement and textural evolution of young obsidian lavas in the Aeolian islands, Italy.
  
  
• Katie Preece, University of East Anglia (2014)
  Transitions between effusive and explosive activity at Merapi volcano, Indonesia: a volcanological and petrological study of the 2006 and 2010 eruptions. Co-supervisor with J. Barclay & R. Herd.
  
  
• Lizzie Derbyshire, Keele University (2014)
  Upper mantle processes, serpentinisation and late-stage alteration preserved in British ophiolite peridotites and chromitites. Co-supervisor with B. O’Driscoll.
  
  
• Sylvain Charbonnier, Keele University (2009)
  The dynamics and hazards of small-volume pyroclastic flows: a case study of the 2006 eruption of Merapi volcano, Java, Indonesia.