VMSG Annual Meeting 2026 – National Oceanography Centre Southampton, 5-7th January

We look forward to welcoming you to Southampton for the annual meeting of the Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group. More information will be added to this page as the event draws closer, so please check back regularly. To receive circulars and further information by email please ensure you are subscribed to the VMSG mailing list.

More information is available on the NOC’s VMSG 2026 website: https://noc-events.co.uk/VMSG-volcanic-and-magmatic-studies-group

Scientific programme

There will be six sessions in 2026, these will cover the full range of volcanic and magmatic research done by our community. There will also be a special interest session on Volcanism in the Marine Environment co-badged by the Marine Studies Group, in honour of the meeting’s proximity to the sea. The sessions will be:

Volcanism in the marine environment (co-badged with the Marine Studies Group)
Magma generation, storage and transport
Syn- and post-eruptive processes
Volcanic monitoring
Hazards, risk and society
Research in progress in volcanology

Abstracts

We ask for abstracts to be submitted at the same time as registration through the registration form as a PDF. Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and should contain no more than 5 references. Download abstract template

Registration

Click here to register for the VMSG Annual Meeting 2026 via the NOC website.

We have made efforts to keep the meeting affordable for all career stages and encourage you to register early to access the Early Bird rates.

Early Bird registration will be available until Friday 7th November 2025, after which standard registration rates will apply. Registration will close on Monday 1st December 2025.

Discounted registration is also offered to members of the Mineralogical Society or Geological Society of London.

Early Bird Registration (Use code VMSG-Early at checkout):

Student member: £130

Student non-member: £140

Professional member: £150

Professional non-Member £180

Standard Registration:

Student member: £160

Student non-member: £170

Professional member: £180

Professional non-member £210

Day Rate:

All: £95

Included in your registration:

2 1/2 days of conference.

Afternoon refreshments on day 1. Refreshments and lunch on day 2 and day 3. Ice breaker and Conference Dinner

Workshops

The VMSG Annual Meeting 2026 is proud to host four workshops covering interpreting volcanic deposits in marine sediment cores, the power of storytelling for reconstructing volcanic events and experiences, pyroclastic density current stratigraphies and new frontiers in petrology. Workshops 1 – 3 will be held from 09:00 – 12:00 on Monday the 5th January 2026, workshop 4 will be held 09:30 – 16:30 on Thursday 8th January 2026.

To register click here !

The workshop fee includes lunch and refreshments. The workshop titles and outlines are as follows:

1. Interpreting volcanic deposits in marine sediment cores (BOSCORF) – £30 (maximum 25 people) Monday 5th January 2026 09:00 – 12:30

This workshop will be co-ordinated by Michael Clare, James Hunt and Isobel Yeo (National Oceanography Centre) and Cian McGuire and Miros Charidemou (British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility (BOSCORF))

A huge number of the planet’s volcanoes lie in, or close to, the oceans. As a result, a vast quantity of volcanic material is deposited in the marine realm every year. These volcanoes are hard to observe or monitor using traditional methods, yet their eruptions can be catastrophic, generating wide ranging hazards that impact coastal communities and infrastructure. Understanding eruption styles, frequencies and other potential hazards (like flank collapse, which can generate tsunamis) is essential to forecast and mitigate the risk posed by marine volcanoes. For many such volcanoes the only record of past events is found on the ocean floor, sampled primarily through coring. Thus, these cores provide a unique record of marine volcanism and an essential tool for understanding the hazards posed.

In this workshop we will overview the analytical capabilities of BOSCORF, the UK’s cutting-edge sediment core analysis facility, with specific reference to cores containing volcanic records. We will discuss applications of different analytical techniques, including resolution, accuracy and precision. We will then look at different marine sediment cores held at BOSCORF (and their associated analytical datasets) that record different hazardous volcanic events, and compare and contrast characteristic and diagnostic features. We welcome volcano researchers at all career stages, particularly those interested in working with marine records and volcanic sediments, and those who would like to get hand-on experience of sediment core logging.

2. Once upon a time in a crisis – the power of stories & storytelling – £10 (maximum 30 people) Monday 5th January 2026 09:00 – 12:30

This workshop will be co-ordinated by Jenni Barclay (University of Bristol) and Richard Robertson (University of the West Indies).

Volcanic crises are the crucibles through which major advances in volcanology are derived, yet most volcanologist are trained only in the physical sciences with little or no practical and critical thinking skills needed to function effectively during these moments. The volcanologist involved must balance high personal and societal risk with the need for interpretation of uncertain scientific data that requires rapid communication to guide decision making. Stories that scientists tell can provide a mechanism for sharing and shaping understanding and reveals much about the critical dimensions of risk created by a volcanic crisis. So, storytelling methods can help explore and understand the tensions involved for these scientists, and through their analysis we can understand the most effective ways to navigate volcanic crises.

This workshop will use storytelling methods to explore and understand the critical tensions between scientific knowledge and the decision-making imperatives faced by volcanologists navigating a volcanic crisis. Through a series of shared reflections and stories, we will not only identify these tensions but consider the implications for populations at risk and how these can be better navigated by volcanologists.

Volcanologists at all career stages are welcome to this workshop, from those curious about this method, or interested to hear these stories, to those with stories to share and compare.

3. New Frontiers in the Petrological Toolbox – £30 (maximum 20 people) Monday 5th January 2026 09:00 – 12:30

This workshop will be co-ordinated by Martin Mangler and Gregor Weber (University of Southampton)

From the early microscopic descriptions of minerals to today’s high-precision geochemical facilities, igneous petrology continues to advance our understanding of the magmatic processes driving volcanic eruptions.

This workshop will explore key innovations that are transforming how we observe, analyse, and model igneous systems, focusing on three core aspects of modern petrology through short lectures, demonstrations, and practicals:

Textural Analysis: We will dive into the world of crystal textures and get a practical sense of the pitfalls surrounding the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of crystal size and shape data.
Machine Learning in Thermobarometry: We will build a machine-learning-powered thermobarometer, highlighting the rationale, mechanics, and caveats to such methods, and discuss the use and misuse of such thermobaromeric data.
Geochemical Imaging: We will visit the University of Southampton’s world-class Centre for Earth Research and Analysis to explore novel analytical techniques, such as time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which enables acquisition of high-resolution geochemical maps, opening new frontiers in petrology.

We welcome both petrologists and non-petrologists at all career stages. If possible, please bring a laptop to participate in hands-on components.

4. Recording and interpreting pyroclastic stratigraphies – £30 (maximum 30 people) Thursday 8th January 2026 09:30 – 16:30

This workshop will be co-ordinated by the FIAMME Project Team, led by Natasha Dowey (Sheffield Hallum University), Pete Rowley (University of Bristol) and Rebecca Williams (University of Hull), and the IAVCEI Commission for Volcanogenic Sediments

This workshop will challenge the way in which we record and interpret pyroclastic stratigraphies, with a particular focus on pyroclastic density currents. The workshop will provide training on recording pyroclastic sequences, and discussion around the numerous underlying assumptions and paradigms which work often builds on. Activities will focus on applying and challenging accepted practices in qualitative and quantitative data capture, sampling strategies and conceptual models for sequence interpretation, and reconstructing PDC dynamics and depositional histories. Participants will depart with a robust framework for ignimbrite analysis methodologies, for both modelling and hazard evaluation.

We welcome volcano researchers at all career stages, whether those interested in learning these methodologies, or seasoned experts who want to contribute to the discussion.

Travel

The National Oceanography Centre’s waterfront campus is located at Dock Gate 4 in Southampton (postcode: SO14 3ZH), which is a 30-minute walk or short bus ride from Southampton Central train station (details below), and 10-to-20-minute walk from the suggested hotels. The location of NOC on Google Maps is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dar7ZDFnBZw1am2v5. The Unlink bus service U1C runs right to NOC’s front entrance from many locations in the city.

We recommend delegates travel by public transport to the 2026 VMSG meeting. There is no parking available in our on-site car park except for those who require it for accessibility. For those that require a car, alternative parking is available in the public car parks at either Town Quay or Ocean Village

How to find us by car (postcode for SatNav SO14 3ZH)

By car the National Oceanography Centre has direct links from the M3, A33, M27 and A27. If using the M3 leave at Junction 13. Follow signs to Dock Gate 4 and the Waterfront for approximately 6 miles. If using the M27 leave at Junction 5, which is signed for Southampton/Airport/Eastleigh/A335. Follow the signs to the Waterfront, Dock Gate 4.

How to find us by train

Southampton has two main train stations: Southampton Airport (Parkway) or Southampton Central Station. National Oceanography Centre is 2 miles from Southampton Central train station, and is connected to both of these train stations by the Unilink bus service (U1C).

How to find us by coach

National Express provides regular coach services to Southampton from central London, Heathrow, Birmingham, Bournemouth and the north. Southampton Coach Station is at Western Esplanade, in the city centre. From Southampton Coach Station you will need to walk to the nearby Southampton Central train station, where you can continue your journey to National Oceanography Centre Southampton by the UniLink bus service (U1C).

Accommodation

VMSG have agreed preferential rates with the below hotels in Southampton.

Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour

Known for its character and ambience, our Leonardo Royal Hotel is ideally situated on the Southampton waterfront, just five minutes by car from Southampton Port. Please use the group code EVENT to bring up the best available rate at any time of the year (ensure you choose the correct city and hotel). Note this group code does not appear to work on all internet browsers, so you may need to try more than one.

To access the hotel website click here

Moxy Southampton

Moxy Southampton is a stylishly designed eco-friendly hotel which is centrally located and near Westquay shopping centre and restaurants. All 208 bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and a private workspace.

To access their rates click here

Voco Hotel

Nestled in the heart of Southampton’s vibrant waterfront, Voco Southampton offers comfort, convenience, and has stunning views of the cruise terminals in a prime location.