Joel Ruch

Joel Ruch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Geneva. His research focuses on volcano-tectonic processes, integrating deformation analysis using satellite imagery, drone mapping, and analogue modeling. He leads the Volcano Tectonic Laboratory and collaborates with institutions like KAUST University. Key projects include the TEMPO initiative studying multi-scale deformation, Southern Red Sea rifting dynamics, and caldera collapse mechanisms. His work bridges short-term volcanic activity with long-term tectonic processes, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.

Ruch’s research spans global volcanic systems, including Iceland, Ethiopia, and the Galápagos. Ongoing projects explore rift zone dynamics, magma intrusion effects, and seismic activity at divergent boundaries. He has pioneered the use of high-resolution drone imagery for fault mapping and developed experimental models to simulate caldera collapse. His publications emphasize structural geology, magmatic processes, and geodetic monitoring.

Despite no explicitly listed scientific awards, his contributions highlight innovative methodologies in volcanic hazard assessment and tectonic deformation analysis. He supervises two PhD students in Iceland and Hawaii, advancing studies on volcanic island formation and rift zone evolution. Grants include Swiss National Science Foundation funding for TEMPO and collaborations with KAUST on Red Sea rifting.

Ruch’s lab focuses on interdisciplinary volcano-tectonic research, blending field observations with computational and experimental tools. Ongoing studies address caldera subsidence, dike-induced faulting, and the interplay between tectonic stress and magmatic activity.