February 23rd to 24th the "Physics of Volcanoes" workshop takes place at GFZ, for the first time in Germany. The aim of this workshop is to bring together volcanologists with different expertises, from physics of volcanoes to processes at active volcanoes, and to discuss on the development of new technologies. Over 70 colleagues from research centers and universities are expected to participate.

Each year, about 60 to 70 volcanoes erupt on land, associated with hazards in the near and far field. Near field hazards are, amongst others, lava or pyroclastic flows, air fall, and gas emissions. Far field hazards are e.g. linked to tephra (pyroclasts) and the intrusion of gases into the atmosphere. The 2010 eruption on Iceland at Eyjafallajökull led to significant damage in the near field, and caused an almost complete shutdown of air traffic in continental Europe. Financial losses of German industry alone exceeded 1 billion Euros by far.

This first German workshop on the pyhsics of volcanoes, supported by the Deutsche Geophysikalische Gesellschaft, aims at an overview of the ongoing interdisciplinary research associated with volcanic hazards and the physical processes of erupting volcanoes. The workshop is open to scientists of any disciplines.