

Week of Wonder: Volcanologist Tamsin Mather on her 'adventures in volcanoland'
Jul 17, 2025
Tamsin Mather, a volcanologist and professor at the University of Oxford, shares her adrenaline-fueled adventures studying active volcanoes. She recounts her thrilling experiences at Mount Etna, emphasizing the beauty and dangers of volcanic eruptions. Mather reflects on the historical significance of volcanoes like Vesuvius and their dual role in creation and destruction. She also discusses the challenges of predicting eruptions, the emotional impact on communities, and the profound connection between humans and these powerful natural phenomena.
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From Oxford to Etna's Eruption
- Tamsin Mather traveled from Oxford to Mount Etna in one day and witnessed a spectacular eruption with fire fountains and lava flows.
- This experience was intense and memorable due to the stark change from a calm city to an active volcano in hours.
Senses Awaken at Eruption
- Experiencing an erupting volcano engages all senses: feeling the ground’s tremors, hearing eruptions, smelling gases, and sensing intense heat near lava.
- Lava flows reach around 1000°C, making proximity to them intensely dangerous and awe-inspiring.
Guatemala’s Explosive Santiago Visit
- While working near Guatemala’s Santiago Volcano, Tamsin Mather experienced regular powerful explosions and pyroclastic flows.
- Despite precautions, the events were eerie and frightening, highlighting volcano dangers.