PhD Studentship: Enhancing Risk Recognition and Preparedness for Volcanic Tsunami Hazards in Indonesia

Indonesia is among the most exposed regions globally to volcanic hazards. Among these hazards, volcanic tsunamis present a particular challenge and have been the cause of several disasters in the past two centuries. Part of the challenge of managing volcanic tsunami hazards lies in the complexity of potential sources and the unpredictability of their timing and size. Maintaining awareness for these low-frequency but potentially extreme-magnitude events, and incorporating these events into hazard management planning, is a further challenge. Adding to these factors, the areas most at risk from volcanic tsunamis are isolated small-island sites in eastern and northern Indonesia, which have limited baseline geological knowledge of past events. This project will address these challenges by:

• Advancing knowledge of tsunami-generating processes and past events at identified high-risk sites through targeted fieldwork, building on recent studies of Anak Krakatau, Ruang and Awu volcanoes.
• Combining insights from historical events with analyses of eruption records, geomorphological indicators and vulnerability assessments, to evaluate exposure to volcanic tsunamis on a national scale. This will seek to identify priorities for flank monitoring and for the development of site-specific volcanic-tsunami hazard management plans, and to recognise onshore and offshore knowledge gaps.
• Working with hazard management agencies to understand current volcanic and tsunami monitoring and management procedures at the identified priority locations, and with communities to assess awareness of volcanic-tsunami risk. The project will draw on this assessment to produce recommendations for effectively incorporating research insights into future monitoring and preparedness strategies.

Collectively, this approach aims to bridge the current gap between the outputs of research focused studies of volcanic tsunami risk, mechanisms and scenarios, and how effectively these outputs inform and support volcanic-tsunami monitoring and hazard management plans. By undertaking this work in Indonesia, a region with multiple island volcanoes and an extensive history of past volcanic tsunamis, the project also aims to develop research approaches and to develop guidance that can support more effective volcanic-tsunami risk evaluations in other vulnerable parts of the world.

For further information on this project and details of how to apply, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Further information on how to apply for a CENTA studentship can be found on the CENTA website: https://centa.ac.uk/apply/

Funding notes:

This project is offered through the CENTA3 DLA, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding covers: annual stipend, tuition fees (at home-fee level), Research Training Support Grant.

Academic requirements: at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent.

International students are eligible for studentships to a maximum of 30% of the cohort. Funding does not cover any additional costs relating to moving or residing in the UK. International applicants must fulfil the University of Birmingham’s international student entry requirements, including English language.  Further information: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgt/requirements-pgt/international/index.aspx.

References:

Grilli, S.T. et al 2019. Modelling of the tsunami from the December 22, 2018 lateral collapse of Anak Krakatau volcano in the Sunda Straits, Indonesia. Scientific reports, 9(1), p.11946.

Pranantyo, I.R., Heidarzadeh, M. and Cummins, P.R., 2021. Complex tsunami hazards in eastern Indonesia from seismic and non-seismic sources: Deterministic modelling based on historical and modern data. Geoscience Letters, 8(1), p.20.

Zorn, E.U. et al, 2022. Identification and ranking of subaerial volcanic tsunami hazard sources in Southeast Asia. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 22(9), pp.3083-3104.

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