
Professor Stephen Sparks
BSc, PhD, CBE, DSe, F.R.S
Current positions
Emeritus Professor
School of Earth Sciences
Contact
Press and media
Many of our academics speak to the media as experts in their field of research. If you are a journalist, please contact the University’s Media and PR Team:
Research interests
My research concerns quantitative studies of geological processes using a combination of field studies, laboratory experiments, analytical studies and theoretical modelling. My main focus has been on volcanic and igneous processes. and I have also made contributions in fundamental fluid mechanics, sedimentology, and risk assessment methodologies for natural hazards.
Research in volcanology includes: mapping of volcanoes and young volcanic deposits; monitoring of eruptions; investigation of magmatic and volcanic flows through analogue experiments, numerical modelling and theory development; petrological studies of igneous rocks; and development of novel approaches to hazard and risk assessment. Applied research includes risk assessment methodologies for environmental and natural hazards, nuclear waste disposal and mining.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
UKIODP Moratorium Awards
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
09/01/2017 to 08/01/2018
RCUK-TUBITAK: Understanding volcanic risk in Turkey for improved emergency response and disaster risk reduction
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
01/08/2016 to 31/08/2020
Planning for volcanic emergencies in Turkey
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
31/07/2016 to 31/10/2020
History of large magnitude explosive volcanism in the Japan region: implications for tectonics and long term hazards
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
01/04/2014 to 01/06/2015
Global Volcano Model
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
14/11/2011 to 14/08/2015
Thesis supervisions
Lava emplacement dynamics
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
10/08/2022Alternative Covid-19 mitigation measures in school classrooms
Royal Society Open Science
Timescales for pluton growth, magma-chamber formation and super-eruptions
Nature
A novel approach for evaluating contact patterns and risk mitigation strategies for COVID-19 in English primary schools with application of structured expert judgement
Royal Society Open Science
Duration of Hydrothermal Alteration and Mineralization of the Don Manuel Porphyry Copper System, Central Chile
Minerals
Large silicic magma bodies and very large magnitude explosive eruptions
Bulletin of Volcanology