From magma to macrophage : the grand challenges of volcanic Environments

This work highlights the complexity and interconnectedness of volcanic environments and their societal impacts. It stems from a conference held in September 2025 at the East African Institute for Fundamental Research, affiliated with the University of Rwanda, which explored both classic volcanology topics, such as multiphase lava flows, subsurface magma propagation, seismic and deformation signals, volcanic emission modelling, and volcanic lakes and broader interdisciplinary questions, including the volcanic particle-water interface and its effects on soils, climate, and human health. The conference brought together local staff, students, and health professionals, as well as regional and international scientists from Asia, Europe, and North America, including four ISTerre researchers from the Volcano Geophysics and Geochemistry teams, who co-authored this paper.

Importantly, the conference also emphasized the value of promoting science in Africa and other developing regions, equipping the next generation of researchers to tackle the challenges posed by active volcanic environments.

References :

K. Deribe, J. Cano, M.L. Trueba, M.J. Newport, G. Davey, (2018) Global epidemiology of podoconiosis : a systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 12(3):e0006324

V. Pinel, C.A. Mériaux, (2025) Subsurface lateral magma propagation from Nyiragongo volcano in the Western Rift Zone of the East African Rift. J Afr Earth Sci 226:105569.