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Other Oxford events

Erratic eruptions and the parched planet

Event on second floor; no step free access.
Past event - 2018
16 May Doors open 19:00. Event 19:30-21:30
Wig and Pen, 9-13 George Street,
Oxford OX1 2AU
What controls the seemly erratic behavior of volcanoes, and why is Mars so dry? Mike and Jon will shed light on both of these questions, the implications they have for assessing volcanic hazards and the search for extraterrestrial life. Plus awesome videos of volcanic eruptions and beer experiments!

Flow or blow? What controls volcano behaviour?

Dr Mike Cassidy (NERC Independent Research Fellow)
Volcanoes can either erupt violently - blowing ash high into the atmosphere, covering entire countries, and potentially leading to large losses of life; or non-explosively as lava flows - mostly localised and not posing a large risk to life. The problem is that we don’t know how to forecast how a volcano will behave (and you thought weather forecasts were bad!). In this casual and interactive talk, suitable for all backgrounds, Mike will discuss the latest volcanic thinking. There’ll be some pretty awesome volcano footage and even some experiments with beer (don’t worry, not yours).

Mars: the prohibition planet

Dr Jon Wade (NERC Independent Research Fellow)
What do Mars and the worst pub in the world have in common? They’re both dry, cold and completely lacking in atmosphere. Early Mars saw ample water flowing on its surface yet, unlike Earth, this water vanished early in its history. Why has Earth retained surface water for almost its entire existence while Mars has, apparently, dried up? Where did all the Martian water go? And what does this mean for life on other planets? Come and find out and enjoy the atmosphere!
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