Laura Wainman

Profile

I am a PhD Researcher in Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics within the School of Earth and Environment. My research interests lie in the interactions between volcanic eruptions, climate, and the environment, as well as understanding and mitigating hazards to human health and the environment through disaster risk reduction (DRR) education. I am funded by the Panorama NERC DTP (2022 Cohort) researching “The Volcanic Emissions of Environmentally Reactive Trace Elements” in partnership with the Icelandic Meterological Office.

I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Natural Sciences and MSci in Earth Sciences from the University of Cambridge. My MSci dissertation focussed on “Constraining the Samalas 1257 Eruption using a Model Multi-Proxy Approach” and utilised UKESM ensembles in combination with a globally-resolved multi-proxy database to constrain the season of and regionally variable climate response to the Samalas 1257 Eruption. 

Research interests

Research Key Words: Volcanic gases, volcanic aerosols, environmentally reactive trace elements, health hazards, population exposure, Iceland eruptions.

Volcanic Emissions of Environmentally Reactive Trace Elements at the Fagradalsfjall 2021-2023 Eruptions, Iceland.

Effusive eruptions can be long-lived sources of volcanic pollutants, including SO2 gas, fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM1) and environmentally-reactive trace elements (ERT). As such, the aim of my PhD is to investigate the emission of these pollutants from volcanic and volcanic adjacent settings, including subesquent atmospheric dispersion and deposition to the environment. Having completed two field campaigns, at the Meradalir eruption in August 2022 and at the Litli-Hrutur eruption in July 2023, I now have a rich dataset of gas and particulate matter emissions. Through this dataset I am investigating questions such as:

• How does the trace element composition of emissions from degassing lava flows change as the lava ages and cools?
• What are they key controls on near-vent deposition of trace elements and how can this fractionate trace element composition in the plume?
• What happens when volcanic emissions mix with other sources of air pollution such as wildfires and anthropogenic burning?

Working with the Icelandic Meteorological Office I have also been involved with the monitoring and reponse efforts to the ongoing eruptions in Iceland. This includes conducting an 18 hr emergency air quality sampling campaign following wildfires at the Litli-Hrutur eruption, which subsequently informed civil defence operations.

Fieldwork

• Sundhnúkur Dike Intrustion 2024, Iceland.
• Litli-Hrutur 2023 Eruption, Iceland.
• Merdalir 2022 Eruption and Askja Monitoring Campaign, Iceland.
• INGV Volcanic Gases Summer School, Vulcano.
• NERC BGS MINEX Advanced Short Field Course, Milos.

Teaching

• SOEE1680a – 3D Earth
• SOEE1670 – Geology and Society
• SOEE1053 – Our Habitable Planet
• SOEE5116A – Computational Inverse Theory

Earthquake Ready! Boardgame

Using serious games for DRR Education in Nepal.

Collaborative project with Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN). Funded by Soroptimist International Leeds and COMET EDI and Outreach Fund. Led the creation of the Earthquake Ready! Board Game which delivers DRR education through the concept of “serious gaming”. Preliminary development in schools in Okhaldhunga, Nepal through co-creation and participatory methods. Working with a student artist at Leeds Arts University to illustrate the game.

Reach out if you are looking to collaborate on outreach opportunities!

Qualifications

• MSci Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge
• BA (Hons) Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics