Staff profile

2007 –2012 — Lecturer in Volcanology, Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University

2006 – 2008 — NERC Blue Skies Research Fellow: BP Institute, University of Cambridge and Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham

‘Explosive volcanic eruption processes: from mesoscopic simulations to constitutive laws.’

2003 – 2006 — NERC Research Fellow:  BP Institute, University of Cambridge, transferred from Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, 2005.

‘Multiphase lattice-Boltzmann approaches to modelling the dynamics of volcanic eruptions.’

2002 – 2003 — Lecturer, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol.

1998 – 2002 — PhD: ‘The rheology of bubbly magmas.’, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol.

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Career Research Highlights

My prime research goal is to quantify the physical controls on volcanic eruptive style. In particular, my research focuses on the fundamental role played by magmatic processes and properties at the mesoscopic scale: i.e. at the lengthscale of intra-magmatic bubbles and crystals; and how these processes interact to determine eruptive behaviour at the volcano scale. My ongoing research in this field includes laboratory and numerical investigation of:

• the rheology of bubble- and particle-bearing magma,
• the flow of volcanic gases through permeable magma,
• Dynamics of strombolian eruptions

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Committee and Society Service

Founder and Director of Action on Natural Disasters Doctoral Training Centre, Durham University

Editorial Board member, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

Peer Review College Member; NERC

PubVolc – volcanology publication database, manager and developer

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Conferences and Workshops

2013 — ‘Dynamics of volcanic processes’ - Session convenor, IAVCEI General Assembly

2013 — ‘From conduit magma ascent to ash generation and dispersal’ -Session convenor: EGU General Assembly; 

2012 — Conference organiser; VMSG Annual Meeting – Durham 

2012 — ‘Volcanic conduits in nature, models, and experiments’ Session convenor - EGU General Assembly 

2008 — Session convenor: ‘Magma movement’ - IAVCEI General Assembly 

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Invited Talks (selected)

2016 — "Slugs and plugs: multiphase magma flow in basaltic volcanic conduits", Leeds University Fluids group seminar series.

2016 — "Down-flow evolution of the rheology of
the June 27th lava flow", Hawaiian Volcano Observatory seminar series.

2016 — "Slugs and Plugs: Big experiments in volcano physics", IUGG Conference on Mathematical Geophysics invited keynote.

2015 — "Bubble, burp, bang! Big experiments in volcano physics", University of Hawaii, SOEST seminar series.

2015 — "Slugs and Plugs: the role of conduit boundary conditions in shaping Strombolian explosive activity", AGU Fall Meeting invited keynote.

2013 — "Bubble, burp bang! Big experiments in volcano physics", NTU Singapore EOS seminar series.

2012 — “Bubble, burp bang! The physics of Strombolian volcanic eruptions”, Open University, Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space & Astronomical Research seminar series.

2011: — “Magma in motion: bubbles, crystals and the physics of volcanic eruptions”, University of Geneva, Department of Mineralogy departmental seminar.

2011: — ‘Why build a volcano? The science of Mt Boom’, INGV Roma.

2011: — ‘Bubbles, burps and bangs! Experimental and physical modelling of eruptions at Stromboli volcano, Italy’, University of Bristol, School of Earth Sciences seminar series.

2010: — ‘Bubbles and crystals in magma’, ETH, Zurich, Department of Earth Sciences seminar series

2009: — ‘Bubbles, crystals and the physics of volcanic eruptions’, University of Leeds, School of Earth and Environment seminar series

2008: — ‘Development of magma permeability during an eruption’, University of Lancaster, Environmental School seminar series.

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Prizes and Awards

Thermo-Fischer Scientific VMSG Award 2021

British Society of Rheology Annual Award 2016

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research Most Cited Author 2003 – 2007 Award for Llewellin, E.W. and Manga, M., 2005

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Recent and Current Grants

‘Quantifying disequilibrium processes in basaltic volcanism.’ NERC/NSF Large Grant NE/N018443/1, awarded April 2016 (Durham PI; Lead PI Mike Burton, Manchester)

‘Quantifying disequilibrium processes in basaltic volcanism.’ NERC Standard Grant NE/N002954/1, awarded July 2015 (PI; Co-I Madeleine Humphreys)

‘Fissures, fountains and flows: quantifying the evolution of basaltic eruptions.’ Royal Society International Exchanges grant, awarded November 2013 (PI; Co-I Bruce Houghton)

‘Quantifying the dynamics of bubble growth in magma using SIMS profiling of water content in glass’ 120 hours of instrument time at the NERC Ion Microprobe Facility in Edinburgh, awarded December 2011 (PI)

‘Fault lubrication during earthquake propagation in thermally unstable rocks.’ NERC Standard Grant Number NE/H021744/1, awarded July 2010 (Co-I; PI Nic de Paola)

‘The importance of crystal exchange and magma mixing in volcanic systems: eruption-triggering mechanisms and timescales’ NERC Standard Grant Number NE/G002401/1, awarded December 2008 (Co-I; PI Jon Davidson)

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Journal Article

• Gardner, J. E., Wadsworth, F. B., Carley, T. L., Llewellin, E. W., Kusumaatmaja, H., & Sahagian, D. (2023). Bubble Formation in Magma. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 51(1), 131-154. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-earth-031621-080308
• Oláh, L., Gallo, G., Hamar, G., Kamoshida, O., Leone, G., Llewellin, E. W., …Varga, D. (2023). Muon Imaging of Volcanic Conduit Explains Link Between Eruption Frequency and Ground Deformation. Geophysical Research Letters, 50(2), Article e2022GL101170. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022gl101170
• Jackson, L. E., Wadsworth, F. B., Mitchell, J., Rennie, C., Llewellin, E. W., Hess, K., & Dingwell, D. B. (2022). Bubble rise in molten glasses and silicate melts during heating and cooling cycles. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 105(12), 7238-7253. https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.18680
• Wadsworth, F. B., Llewellin, E. W., Castro, J. M., Tuffen, H., Schipper, C. I., Gardner, J. E., …Whattam, J. (2022). A reappraisal of explosive–effusive silicic eruption dynamics: syn-eruptive assembly of lava from the products of cryptic fragmentation. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 432, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2022.107672
• Orr, T. R., Llewellin, E. W., & Patrick, M. R. (2022). Development, structure, and behavior of a perched lava channel at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi, during 2007. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 430, Article 107637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2022.107637
• Romero, J. E., Burton, M., Cáceres, F., Taddeucci, J., Civico, R., Ricci, T., …Perez, N. M. (2022). The initial phase of the 2021 Cumbre Vieja ridge eruption (Canary Islands): Products and dynamics controlling edifice growth and collapse. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 431, Article 107642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2022.107642
• Arzilli, F., Polacci, M., La Spina, G., Le Gall, N., Llewellin, E. W., Brooker, R. A., …Burton, M. R. (2022). Dendritic crystallization in hydrous basaltic magmas controls magma mobility within the Earth’s crust. Nature Communications, 13(1), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30890-8
• Wadsworth, F. B., Llewellin, E. W., Farquharson, J. I., Gillies, J. K., Loisel, A., Frey, L., …Santabárbara, A. P. (2022). Crowd-sourcing observations of volcanic eruptions during the 2021 Fagradalsfjall and Cumbre Vieja events. Nature Communications, 13(1), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30333-4
• Birnbaum, J., Lev, E., & Llewellin, E. W. (2021). Rheology of three-phase suspensions determined via dam-break experiments. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 477(2254), Article 20210394. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2021.0394
• Le Gall, N., Arzilli, F., La Spina, G., Polacci, M., Cai, B., E. Hartley, M., …D Lee, P. (2021). In situ quantification of crystallisation kinetics 1 of plagioclase and clinopyroxene in basaltic magma: implications for lava flow. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 568, Article 117016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2021.117016
• La Spina, G., Arzilli, F., Llewellin, E., Burton, M., Clarke, A., de' Michieli Vitturi, M., …Mader, H. (2021). Explosivity of basaltic lava fountains is controlled by magma rheology, ascent rate and outgassing. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 553, Article 116658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116658
• Houghton, B., Tisdale, C., Llewellin, E., Taddeucci, J., Orr, T., Walker, B., & Patrick, M. (2021). The Birth of a Hawaiian Fissure Eruption. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 126(1), Article e2020JB020903. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020jb020903
• Wadsworth, F. B., Vasseur, J., Llewellin, E. W., Brown, R. J., Tuffen, H., Gardner, J. E., …Marone, F. (2021). A model for permeability evolution during volcanic welding. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 409, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.107118
• Jones, T. J., & Llewellin, E. W. (2021). Convective tipping point initiates localization of basaltic fissure eruptions. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 553, Article 116637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116637
• Wadsworth, F. B., Llewellin, E. W., Vasseur, J., Gardner, J. E., & Tuffen, H. (2020). Explosive-effusive volcanic eruption transitions caused by sintering. Science Advances, 6(39), Article eaba7940. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aba7940
• Coumans, J., Llewellin, E., Wadsworth, F., Humphreys, M., Mathias, S., Yelverton, B., & Gardner, J. (2020). An experimentally validated numerical model for bubble growth in magma. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 402, Article 107002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.107002
• Capponi, A., Crosby, A. C., Lishman, S., & Llewellin, E. W. (2020). A novel experimental apparatus for investigating bubbly flows in a slot geometry. Review of Scientific Instruments, 91(4), Article 045110. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5126775
• Jones, T. J., Llewellin, E. W., & Mader, H. M. (2020). The use of a shear thinning polymer as a bubbly magma analogue for scaled laboratory experiments. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 392, Article 106768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.106768
• Dobson, K. J., Allabar, A., Bretagne, E., Coumans, J., Cassidy, M., Cimarelli, C., …Wanelik, K. (2020). Quantifying Microstructural Evolution in Moving Magma. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00287
• Capponi, A., & Llewellin, E. W. (2019). Experimental observations of bubbling regimes at in-line multi-orifice bubblers. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 114, 66-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2019.02.008
• Gardner, J. E., Wadsworth, F. B., Llewellin, E. W., Watkins, J. M., & Coumans, J. P. (2019). Experimental constraints on the textures and origin of obsidian pyroclasts. Bulletin of Volcanology, 81, Article 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-019-1283-z
• Arzilli, F., La Spina, G., Burton, M., Polacci, M., Le Gall, N., Hartley, M., …Lee, P. (2019). Magma fragmentation in highly explosive basaltic eruptions induced by rapid crystallisation. Nature Geoscience, 12, 1023-1028. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0468-6
• Jones, T., Houghton, B., Llewellin, E., Parcheta, C., & Höltgen, L. (2018). Spatter matters – distinguishing primary (eruptive) and secondary (non-eruptive) spatter deposits. Scientific Reports, 8, Article 9179. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-27065-1
• Polacci, M., Arzilli, F., La Spina, G., Le Gall, N., Cai, B., Hartley, M., …Burton, M. (2018). Crystallisation in basaltic magmas revealed via in situ 4D synchrotron X-ray microtomography. Scientific Reports, 8(1), Article 8377. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26644-6
• Gardner, J. E., Wadsworth, F. B., Llewellin, E. W., Watkins, J. M., & Coumans, J. P. (2018). Experimental sintering of ash at conduit conditions and implications for the longevity of tuffisites. Bulletin of Volcanology, 80(3), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-018-1202-8
• Polacci, M., de' Michieli Vitturi, M., Arzilli, F., Burton, M., Caricchi, L., Carr, B., …Taddeucci, J. (2017). From magma ascent to ash generation: investigating volcanic conduit processes by integrating experiments, numerical modeling, and observations. Annals of geophysics, 60(6), Article S0666. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-7449
• Jones, T., Llewellin, E., Houghton, B., Brown, R., & Vye-Brown, C. (2017). Proximal lava drainage controls on basaltic fissure eruption dynamics. Bulletin of Volcanology, 79(11), Article 81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-017-1164-2
• Wadsworth, F., Vasseur, J., Llewellin, E., Dobson, K., Colombier, M., von Aulock, F., …Dingwell, D. (2017). Topological inversions in coalescing granular media control fluid-flow regimes. Physical Review E, 96(3), Article 033113. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.96.033113
• McIntosh, I., Nichols, A., Tani, K., & Llewellin, E. (2017). Accounting for the species-dependence of the 3500 cm-1 H2Ot infrared molar absorptivity coefficient: implications for hydrated volcanic glasses. American Mineralogist, 102(8), 1677-1689. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2017-5952ccby
• Wadsworth, F. B., Vasseur, J., Llewellin, E. W., Genareau, K., Cimarelli, C., & Dingwell, D. B. (2017). Size limits for rounding of volcanic ash particles heated by lightning. Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, 122(3), 1977-1989. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jb013864
• Wadsworth, F. B., Vasseur, J., Llewellin, E. W., & Dingwell, D. B. (2017). Sintering of polydisperse viscous droplets. Physical Review E, 95(3), Article 033114. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.95.033114
• Gardner, J., Llewellin, E., Watkins, J., & Befus, K. (2016). Formation of Obsidian Pyroclasts by Sintering of Ash Particles in the Volcanic Conduit. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 459(1), 252-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.11.037
• Reynolds, P., Brown, R., Thordarson, T., & Llewellin, E. (2016). The architecture and shallow conduits of Laki-type pyroclastic cones: insights into a basaltic fissure eruption. Bulletin of Volcanology, 78(5), Article 36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-016-1029-0
• Wadsworth, F. B., Vasseur, J., Llewellin, E., Schauroth, J., Dobson, K., Scheu, B., & Dingwell, D. (2016). Sintering of viscous droplets under surface tension. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 472(2188), Article 20150780. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2015.0780
• Reynolds, P., Brown, R., Thordarson, T., Llewellin, E., & Fielding, K. (2015). Rootless cone eruption processes informed by dissected tephra deposits and conduits. Bulletin of Volcanology, 77(9), Article 72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-015-0958-3
• Del Bello, E., Lane, S., James, M., Llewellin, E., Taddeucci, J., Scarlato, P., & Capponi, A. (2015). Viscous plugging can enhance and modulate explosivity of strombolian eruptions. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 423, 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.04.034
• Wilson, J., Eke, V., Massey, R., Elphic, R., Jolliff, B., Lawrence, D., …Teodoro, L. (2015). Evidence for explosive silicic volcanism on the Moon from the extended distribution of thorium near the Compton-Belkovich Volcanic Complex. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 120(1), 92-108. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014je004719
• Truby, J., Mueller, S., Llewellin, E., & Mader, H. (2015). The rheology of three-phase suspensions at low bubble capillary number. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 471(2173), Article 20140557. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2014.0557
• McIntosh, I., Llewellin, E., Humphreys, M., Nichols, A., Burgisser, A., Schipper, C., & Larsen, J. (2014). Distribution of dissolved water in magmatic glass records growth and resorption of bubbles. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 401, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.05.037
• Damby, D., Llewellin, E., Horwell, C., Williamson, B., Najorka, J., Cressey, G., & Carpenter, M. (2014). The α-β phase transition in volcanic cristobalite. Journal of Applied Crystallography, 47(4), 1205-1215. https://doi.org/10.1107/s160057671401070x
• Horwell, C., Hillman, S., Cole, P., Loughlin, S., Llewellin, E., Damby, D., & Christopher, T. (2014). Controls on variations in cristobalite abundance in ash generated by the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat in the period 1997-2010. Memoirs, 39, 399-406. https://doi.org/10.1144/m39.21
• Mader, H., Llewellin, E., & Mueller, S. (2013). The rheology of two-phase magmas: A review and analysis. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 257, 135-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2013.02.014
• Horwell, C., Williamson, B., Llewellin, E., Damby, D., & Le Blond, J. (2013). The nature and formation of cristobalite at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat: implications for the petrology and stability of silicic lava domes. Bulletin of Volcanology, 75, Article 696. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-013-0696-3
• Del Bello, E., Llewellin, E., Taddeucci, J., Scarlato, P., & Lane, S. (2012). An analytical model for gas overpressure in slug-driven explosions: insights into Strombolian volcanic eruptions. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, Article B02206. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011jb008747
• James, M., Llewellin, E., & Lane, S. (2011). Comment on "It takes three to tango: 2. Bubble dynamics in basaltic volcanoes and ramifications for modeling normal Strombolian activity" by J. Suckale, B. H. Hager, L. T. Elkins-Tanton, and J.-C. Nave. Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010jb008167
• Llewellin, E., Del Bello, E., Taddeucci, J., Scarlato, P., & Lane, S. (2011). The thickness of the falling film of liquid around a Taylor bubble. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 468(2140), 1041-1064. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2011.0476
• Mueller, S., Llewellin, E., & Mader, H. (2011). The effect of particle shape on suspension viscosity and implications for magmatic flows. Geophysical Research Letters, 38, Article L13316. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011gl047167
• Williamson, B., Di Muro, A., Horwell, C., Spieler, O., & Llewellin, E. (2010). Injection of vesicular magma into an andesitic dome at the effusive–explosive transition. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 295(1-2), 83-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2010.03.027
• Mueller, S., Llewellin, E., & Mader, H. (2010). The rheology of suspensions of solid particles. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 466(2116), 1201-1228. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2009.0445
• Llewellin, E. (2010). LBflow: An extensible lattice Boltzmann framework for the simulation of geophysical flows. Part I: theory and implementation. Computers and Geosciences, 36(2), 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2009.08.004
• Llewellin, E. (2010). LBflow: An extensible lattice Boltzmann framework for the simulation of geophysical flows. Part II: usage and validation. Computers and Geosciences, 36(2), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2009.08.003
• Nabovati, A., Llewellin, E., & Sousa, A. (2010). Through-thickness permeability prediction of three-dimensional multifilament woven fabrics. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 41(4), 453-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.11.011
• Nabovati, A., Llewellin, E., & Sousa, A. (2009). A general model for the permeability of fibrous porous media based on fluid flow simulations using the lattice Boltzmann method. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 40(6-7), 860-869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.04.009
• Witham, F., & Llewellin, E. (2006). Stability of Lava Lakes. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 158(3-4), 321-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2006.07.004
• Llewellin, E., & Manga, M. (2005). Bubble suspension rheology and implications for conduit flow. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 143(1-3), 205-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2004.09.018
• Llewellin, E., Mader, H., & Wilson, S. (2002). The constitutive equation and flow dynamics of bubbly magmas. Geophysical Research Letters, 29(24), https://doi.org/10.1029/2002gl015697
• Llewellin, E., Mader, H., & Wilson, S. (2002). The rheology of a bubbly liquid. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 458(2020), 987-1016. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2001.0924
• Llewellin, E., Mader, H., & Wilson, S. (2002). Correction to the constitutive equation and flow dynamics of bubbly lava. Geophysical Research Letters, 30(6), Article 1340