Carmen Solana

Carmen Solana is an Associate Professor in Volcanology and Risk Communications at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the Faculty of Science & Health and the School of the Environment and Life Sciences. She is also associated with the Institute of the Earth and Environment and the Centre of Excellence in Defence, Risk & Resilience. She is actively accepting PhD students and contributing to research, policy, and public understanding of volcanic and disaster risks.

• PhD in Volcanic Hazards – The Spanish National Research Centre
• BSc in Geology – Universidad Complutense, Madrid
• UN Diploma in Analysis and Management of Natural Risks – University of Geneva & University of the West Indies (1996)

Her research centers on effusive volcanic hazards, lava flow dynamics, and risk communication during volcanic emergencies. She investigates how scientific knowledge can be translated into effective disaster risk reduction strategies, particularly in vulnerable communities. Her work spans field studies, modeling, and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to geohazard mitigation.

Recent publications highlight her focus on the 2021 Cumbre Vieja and Fagradalsfjall eruptions, crowd-sourced eruption monitoring, educational interventions for risk perception, and pandemic preparedness. Her research integrates volcanology with social science, emergency management, and policy development.

She has contributed to significant projects funded by the EU, NERC, and GCRF, including initiatives on coastal resilience in Small Island Developing States and disaster risk reduction in developing countries during the pandemic.

• Bulletin of Volcanology – Guest Editor (2022–present)
• Expert commentator for media on volcanic events (e.g., La Palma, Fuego, Agung)

Carmen Solana actively supervises and examines PhD theses, having served as an external examiner at institutions like UCL. She leads the GCRF project on COVID-19 impacts in developing countries and contributes to multiple research initiatives involving UAVs, rock mechanics, and volcano-tectonic stability. She is a key figure in bridging scientific research with operational risk management and public communication.

She is involved in the Rock Mechanics Laboratory and collaborates internationally on volcanic hazard projects, including field surveys post-Hurricane Mitch and monitoring of Soufrière Hills Volcano.