Tamsin Mather, Professor of Earth Sciences, has been involved in the “Sensing Volcanoes” installation in London as part of the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition “Lates” events (4-9 July).

“Sensing Volcanoes” is a hands-on installation which explores the recent volcanic histories of the Caribbean islands of St Vincent and Montserrat. Come and meet the researchers, and see how studying the sights, smells, sensations and sounds of past volcanic activity can help us understand when another eruption might be imminent – and also help us to mitigate its impact. Try out “The Floor is Magma!” with the interactive digital floor, to test your decision-making skills as you imagine what might be happening beneath a volcanic island.

“Sensing Volcanoes” is a collaboration between researchers from the University of Oxford, University of East Anglia, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, The National Archives and The Royal Society. Our exhibit draws on archive materials from the British Geological Survey, the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Institution (Washington DC), the Montserrat National Trust, the Montserrat Public Library, and the Yorkshire Museum. Our work is supported through funding from the AHRC-NERC Hidden Histories programme, the Royal Society and a UKRI GNCA award to the University of Oxford.

The opening event takes place from 6-10 pm, on Tuesday July 4. Entry is free, and no booking is required.

The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition runs 4-9 July, details at royalsociety.org