Mike Burton

Mike Burton is the Chair in Volcanology at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester. Since 2015, he has led the Geoscience Group, comprising 13 permanent academic staff, and directs a research team of 3 postdoctoral researchers, 3 PhD students, and a senior research fellow. He also serves on the School Senior Leadership Team, shaping institutional strategy and research direction.

He earned a BSc in Chemical Physics from the University of Sussex in 1993 and a PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Cambridge in 1999. His early career included postdoctoral research at Cambridge and research roles at INGV in Catania and Pisa, Italy, before returning to the UK in 2015.

His research integrates volcanology, petrology, remote sensing, and gas geochemistry to improve eruption forecasting and volcanic hazard management. He uses ground-based and satellite observations, numerical modeling, and field experiments to study volcanic degassing, magma ascent, and volatile cycling. He has pioneered the use of SO2 cameras and open-path FTIR systems for real-time volcanic gas monitoring.

His recent publications span mafic eruption dynamics, CO2 flux quantification, tephra microstructure, and remote sensing of volcanic plumes, often in collaboration with volcano observatories and international partners. These works reflect a consistent focus on integrating observational data with modeling to understand volcanic behavior and its environmental impact.

Scientific Recognition:

• ERC Consolidator Grant (CO2Volc, €1.72M)
• NERC Large Grant (DisEqm, £3.5M)
• University of Manchester Researcher of the Year (2017)
• President, GMPV Division, European Geosciences Union (2015–2018)
• Fellow of the Geological Society (2016–present)
• Invited/keynote speaker at AGU, EGU, and other major conferences

Leadership & Advisory Roles:

• Member, Foreign Office Scientific Advisory Committee (UK volcanism hazards)
• Former Chief Scientist, Stromboli Volcano Observatory (2002/03 crisis)
• Led INGV Catania gas monitoring team (2002–2008)
• External PhD examiner for Cambridge and Montreal
• Reviewer for Nature, Science, EPSL, JVGR, and funding agencies (NERC, NSF, EU)

Research Platforms & Collaborations:

He is affiliated with the Manchester Environmental Research Institute, Sustainable Futures, and Digital Futures research platforms. He maintains active collaborations with INGV (Italy), NSF (USA), and multiple European institutions, and has co-supervised joint PhD students.