Vortrag: Vulkane im östl. Zipfel Deutschlands und darüber hinaus

The Laacher See National Geopark lecture series explores the fascinating world of volcanoes and their activity in Europe. Tonight’s topic: “When Magma Breathes: How Gases and Fluids Shape Volcanic Behavior Prof. Juliana Troch, RWTH Aachen Volcanoes are among the most powerful natural phenomena on Earth. But why do some volcanoes erupt explosively, while others remain dormant for long periods? And what role do the invisible gases and fluids deep beneath the Earth’s surface play in this process?

Using examples such as the Yellowstone volcano in the U.S., the Phlegraean Fields in Italy, and Lake Laach in the Eifel, the lecture takes visitors on a journey into the interior of large magma chambers. In particular, the focus is on water, CO₂, and other dissolved gases, which play a decisive role in how magma develops, how quickly pressure builds up in a magma chamber, and how explosive a volcanic eruption can become. It turns out that more gas does not necessarily mean more frequent eruptions. On the contrary—gases can initially slow the buildup of pressure, thereby contributing to eruptions that are less frequent but all the more powerful.

How can such processes be studied? Using natural rocks, state-of-the-art geochemical analyses, experiments under high pressures and temperatures, and computer simulations, volcanologists attempt to reconstruct the processes taking place deep beneath our feet. When magmas “breathe,” they reveal not only the forces at work inside the Earth but also the processes that shape our environment, our climate, and our resources.

The 2026 lecture series is based on the collaboration and cooperation between the Laacher See National Geopark and the German Volcanological Society (DVG); a heartfelt thank you to the DVG and Prof. Lothar Viereck for the concept and for inviting the guest speakers. For more than three years now, the lecture series has been captivating many interested listeners.

At a Glance:Free admission!
Laacher See National Geopark Lecture Series – Free admission!
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Council Chamber of the Pellenz Municipal Association, Rathausstraße 2-4, Plaidt

Questions?!
Laacher See National Geopark, Sarah Stein, Tel. 02636-9740212, sarah.stein@brohltal.de