Elements Unleashed: Natural Phenomena from Ash to Atmosphere

Hello! I’m Dr. Ailsa Naismith, a volcanologist at the University of Bristol. I work on active volcanoes in Guatemala, particularly Volcán de Fuego (“The Volcano of Fire”). I study Fuego’s eruptive activity through seismic and satellite data and its impacts on people living nearby through interviews. I also study how different groups of people interpret volcanic risk and communicate in volcanic crisis. My goal is to contribute knowledge that helps to protect lives and livelihoods around volcanoes. I look forward to sharing insights into the magical, frustrating, volcanic world of Guatemala!

If you think about it, weather forecasting is scientific soothsaying. Predicting the skies tomorrow, next week, or even next month is a remarkable achievement, and a convenience we often take for granted. But what does weather forecasting actually involve? And why is it so hard to get it perfect? In this talk, I’ll unravel the mysteries behind weather forecasting and separate the facts from the myths. We’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the little weather symbols on our phones and discover why a perfect weather forecast is an impossible task.