I’m a geologist studying physical volcanology with a PhD in Earth Science and a MSc in Geological Hazards. Currently based at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (US).
My interests are mostly:
- Geophysical surveys in volcanic terrains
- Monogenetic volcanism
- Eruption dynamics
- Volcanostratigraphy
- Hydrogeology
- Structural analysis
- Geothermal exploration
I finished my PhD thesis in Earth Science at the University of Barcelona and the Spanish Research Council in September 2014 under Dr. Joan Martí and Dr. Stephanie Barde-Cabusson. I am currently doing a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Hawai’i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology at the University of Hawaii.
Before that, I laid more than five years as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Geophysics of the UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) (2016-2021).
My research as volcanologist is characterized by a multidisciplinary perspective on geosciences, focused on characterizing how regional and local geological settings (i.e., stratigraphy, hydrogeology, and tectonics) have influenced and controlled volcanic activity, particularly in volcanic fields. I am also specialized in the use of near-surface geophysics, especially geoelectrical methods, which I have used to image the interior of volcanoes, inferring the mechanical behavior of the eruptions and their relation to groundwater. Moreover, during the last years, I applied these surveys to explore hydrothermal-fluids circulation in volcanic calderas, linked to geothermal exploration in Mexico and now in Hawaii.
One of my strengths is the study of monogenetic volcanism and phreatomagmatism. This volcano type shows a worldwide distribution and represents the most common volcanoes on Earth. Recent studies suggest the role of the uppermost part of the lithosphere to determine the vent distribution and their eruptive styles. For that purpose, I have participated in multidisciplinary collaborations in Europe, Mexico, the United States, and Asia, where we acquired geoelectric, electromagnetic, and gravity data. Thus, I am skilled in self-potential, electrical resistivity tomography, besides geological fieldwork. Nevertheless, I am motivated to learn other methods.
Above all, I like being involved in field studies on volcanoes! The most interesting studies are the ones involving both fieldwork and lab work. I also like to collaborate with colleagues who use different technics in various disciplines and to involve students in all our studies.
Xavier de Bolós 