COMET has a significant presence in the media, whether it’s expertise provided by our scientists or news about COMET itself. You can read a selection of recent COMET media coverage below:
11.05.24: How volcanoes continue to fascinate the world
Ian Sansom reviews COMET Scientist, Professor Tamsin Mather’s (Oxford) new book, entitled ‘Adventures in Volcanoland: What Volcanoes Tell us About the World and Ourselves’ in The Spectator.
17.04.24: Adventures in volcanoland by Tamsin Mather review
A review of Professor Tamsin Mather’s (Oxford) new book ‘Adventures in Volcanoland’ in The Guardian.
12.04.24: Why is gold dust being thrown out of a volcano?
Professor Tamsin Mather (Oxford) contributes to an article explaining why a volcano in Antarctica is spewing out gold dust and whether it could lead to riches.
27.03.2024: First insights into the earthquake record in Greater Caucasus Mountains
Dr Ian Pierce et al.’s new study unearths geological evidence that corroborates historical accounts of large earthquakes along the Kura fold-thrust belt.
26.03.2024: The explosive secret of Santorini
COMET Scientist Professor David Pyle (Oxford) is quoted in the article.
18.03.2024: Professor Mike Burton on BBC
COMET Scientist Professor Mike Burton (Manchester) discusses the latest volcanic eruption near Grindavik.
1.03.2024: New insights into the the environmental impact of ancient volcanoes
COMET Scientist Professor Tamsin Mather (Oxford) co-author’s paper on Early Jurassic large igneous province carbon emissions constrained by sedimentary mercury.
12.02.2024: What experts say about Iceland’s latest volcanic activities
COMET Scientist Professor Tamsin Mather (Oxford) and COMET Associate Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya (Leeds) provide comments in the article.
10.02.2024: A new volcanic era for Iceland
With a series of fissures opening up over the last couple of months, Iceland could be entering a period of increased volcanic activity. COMET Associate Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya (Leeds) and COMET Scientist Professor Tamsin Mather (Oxford) are quoted.
9.02.2024: Thousands evacuated after volcanic eruption in Iceland
COMET Associate Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya (Leeds) discusses the latest developments with the volcanic eruption in Iceland, including how it is affecting the town of Grindavik.
8.02.2024: Iceland volcano erupts for third time in three months. Is this normal?
COMET Scientist Professor David Pyle (Oxford) provides comments on the third volcanic eruption in Iceland since December 2023 and disruption caused.
5.02.2024: Can volcanic eruptions spark life on Earth?
COMET Scientist Professor Tamsin Mather (Oxford) provides a quote on an article contemplating whether lightening strikes during volcanic eruptions could have provided nitrogen in a form that was needed by early life forms.
1.02.2024: Predicting earthquakes: the impossible mission.
COMET Director Professor Tim Wright (Leeds) shares the secrets of Earth’s shifting tectonic plates with Emma Kennedy on Why? Podcast
18.01.2024: Are we entering a new volcanic era in Iceland?
COMET Associate Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya and COMET Scientist Professor Andy Hooper (both Leeds) talk about new technological advancements in monitoring volcanic activity, and ask the crucial question: are we entering a new millennium of volcanic activity in Iceland?
Volcanic eruption in Iceland: COMET Comments in the news
18.01.2024
COMET Scientist Professor Mike Burton (Manchester) provides his expertise in article ‘Iceland’s latest eruption is quieting down—but the explosive upheaval isn’t over yet’.
16.01.2024
COMET Scientist Professor Tamsin Mather (Oxford) appeared on BBC 1 News Broadcast discussing the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
16.01.2024
COMET Scientist Professor David Pyle (Oxford) provides quotes in article titled ‘Iceland volcano could erupt again ‘without warning’ as magma still moving beneath Grindavík’.
15.01.2024
COMET Associate, Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya (Leeds) is interviewed on recent news that houses have been set on fire in the Icelandic town of Grindavik after two volcanic fissures opened nearby. A volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula erupted in the early hours of Sunday, spilling lava into the fishing town.
15.01.2024
COMET Scientist Professor Andy Hooper (Leeds) is quoted in article on ‘Iceland Volcano Update as Lava Hits Town of Grindavík’.
12.01.2024
COMET Scientist Professor David Pyle (Oxford) is quoted in article titled ‘Iceland Volcano Could Bring ‘Boundless’ Power’.
8.01.2024: Satellite data and geophysics
In a 20 minute interview with Space Race, COMET Scientist, Professor Richard Walker (Oxford) talks about our work on large earthquakes and active faults in Central Asia, tectonic geomorphology, our use of satellite data, DEMs, and much more.
Earthquake in Japan – COMET comments in the news
5.01.2024
Interview with COMET Emeritus Professor James Jackson (Cambridge) tackling the questions – What caused it, and what can Japan learn from it?
2.01.2024
COMET Emeritus Professor James Jackson (Cambridge) speaks to Radio 4’s PM programme.
6.11.2023: Advancing the research culture in Leeds
In the first of a new feature series highlighting the outstanding work already underway to improve the research culture at Leeds, COMET scientist Dr Sam Wimpenny, a former Research Fellow in the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, reveals how a project he’s leading is helping embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles across the University’s research practices.
Iceland Volcanic Activity: COMET in the news
12.11.2023
Iceland is facing the prospect of an imminent volcanic eruption. Residents of a fishing town left their homes on Saturday after civil defence authorities declared a state of emergency in the region. COMET associate Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya (University of Leeds) was interviewed.
13.11.2023
COMET scientist Professor Mike Burton (University of Manchester) features in the article ‘Startling volcanic activity has town in Iceland bracing for crisis’.
13.11.2023
A volcanic eruption near Iceland’s capital Reykjavik is unlikely to result in the major disruption to air travel that occurred in 2010, according to experts. COMET Scientist Professor David Pyle (University of Oxford) provides comments.
Summer 2023: Türkiye earthquakes
COMET Scientists Dr Ekbal Hussain and Dr Brian Baptie (BGS) wrote a short article about the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes and their historical context, and discussed some of the impacts to Türkiye & northern Syria for RSGS. The article is now free to read.
29.11.2022: The eruption of Mauna Loa
COMET scientist, Professor David Pyle (University of Oxford), told Newsweek that lava flows are the main threat from this sort of eruption. “The main hazards from Mauna Loa eruptions are related to lava flows.”
25.10.2022: Understanding the largest active volcano, Mauna Loa
COMET scientist, Professor Matt Watson (University of Bristol), told Newsweek there is a line to be crossed between “being prepared” and not being an “alarmist” when it comes to these increases in activity.
27.10.2022: Dormant volcano in US waking up after 800 years
COMET scientist, Professor David Pyle (University of Oxford), provides his thoughts on the activity detected under a dormant volcano near Sitka, Alaska.
10.08.2022: What does make Afghan communities vulnerable to earthquakes?
COMET scientist, Professor Richard Walker (University of Oxford), contributes to an article explaining Afghanistan’s long-standing vulnerabilities when an earthquake strikes.
4.08.2022: The start of decades of volcanic activity in Iceland
A second outburst of lava in under a year strongly suggests that the country’s Reykjanes Peninsula will become one of the most volcanically dynamic parts of the planet for several generations. COMET associate, Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya, University of Leeds : “It’s still early days, but it looks like the eruption will be similar to 2021.”
6.07.2022: About volcanoes
COMET scientist, Prof Tamsin Mather based at the University of Oxford, provides an insight into her research in this 15 minute interview.
19.06.2022: Changes to Everest base camp due to Khumbu glacier’s instability
Dr Scott Watson (COMET researcher) is interviewed about the news that Nepal intends to move a camp at the foot of Everest to a lower altitude because global warming and human activity is making the current position on the Khumbu glacier unstable. He also comments on the story in a variety of other outlets, with the original BBC article (“Everest base camp to be moved from melting glacier”) and others referring to research he co-authored in 2018.
17.06.2022: Singing lava helps predict volcanic eruptions.
Podcast and interview with COMET scientist, Professor Marie Edmonds talking about implications of her recent paper.
19.05.2022: COMET in a children’s book
Professor Tamsin Mather and Professor David Pyle appear in this new book about volcanoes aimed to increase the disaster resilience of children globally from COPE Champions.
16.05.2022: How can volcanoes help the energy transition?
COMET PhD researcher, Olivia Hogg and Professor John Blundy explain the transition to net zero is creating unprecedented demand for metals and discuss the role for volcanoes as a novel route to a more sustainable future.
14.04.2022: Monitoring tectonic processes from space
COMET Director, Tim Wright and COMET Manager, Charlie Royle (University of Leeds) wrote an article on monitoring tectonic processes from space in the latest Geography Review A-Level magazine, available to all secondary schools through a quarterly subscription.
19.01.2022: Professor Mike Burton interview
COMET scientist, Prof. Mike Burton (University of Manchester) told Xinhua that the volcano in Tonga might go quiet after eruption but that the possibility of further explosions can’t be excluded. ‘Possibility of further volcanic eruptions in Tonga can’t be excluded, says expert.’
19.01.2022: Understanding how underwater volcanoes form
COMET scientists Prof. Tamsin Mather and Prof. David Pyle (University of Oxford) provide quotes on the impact of when an underwater volcano erupts in an article titled: How do underwater volcanoes form?
18.01.2022: A report on the Tonga volcano eruption
‘Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai in the south Pacific erupts violently’ written report by COMET Scientist Prof. Marie Edmonds (University of Cambridge) on the Tonga volcano eruption. Questions remain about the cause of the eruption and subsequent tsunami, which damaged nearby islands in Tonga.
17.01.2022: The role of climate change
COMET researcher Cat Hayer and PhD student Ana Pardo (University of Manchester) provide an insight into collecting the gas measurements of the La Palma eruption and whether the eruption has contributed to the long term impact on our atmosphere. ‘What’s the real role of volcanoes in climate change?‘
10.11.2021: About the study of earthquakes
COMET Scientist Prof. James Jackson (University of Cambridge) is quoted throughout the article describing the study of earthquakes.
3.10.2021: Travel advice for the Canary Islands after La Palma volcano eruption
COMET Scientist Prof. Tamsin Mather (University of Oxford) provides details on the risk of airports been affected by the La Palma eruption
22.09.2021: COMET scientist comments the La Palma volcano eruption
La Palma volcano eruption: More ‘explosive activity’ likely, Canary Islands authorities warn – COMET Scientist Prof. Mike Burton, based at the University of Manchester is quoted in ‘The Times’ article.
10.08.2021: How does sea level change influence volcanic activity?
COMET Scientist Dr David Pyle (University of Oxford) provides an interview in article titled: Sea level influences volcanic eruptions. New research on the Santorini volcano which indicates how sea level change influences volcanic activity.
15.07.2021: Volcanic metals and where they end up
COMET Associate Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya (University of Leeds) is quoted in article about volcanic metals and where they end up.
7.07.2021: Comet scientist receives 2020 John Wahr Early Career Award
Coverage of the 2020 John Wahr Early Career Award won by COMET scientist Dr John Elliott (University of Leeds) that recognises “significant advances in geodetic science, technology, applications, observations, or theory.”
19.05.2021: Professor Tamsin Mather discusses volcanoes, a ‘fundamental fascination’
COMET Scientist Tamsin Mather (University of Oxford) features in the latest GeogPod – The Geographical Association’s podcast and discusses Volcanoes, a ‘fundamental fascination’.
22.04.2021: About the energy released by volcanic eruptions deep in our oceans
COMET Associate David Ferguson (University of Leeds) features in articles highlighting the amount of energy released by volcanic eruptions deep in our oceans.
12.04.2021: Volcanoes are a major source of air pollution and a serious public health threat, scientists warn
Research led by the Universities of Leeds and Iceland examines the health impacts of pollution caused by the Holuhraun lava eruption in 2014-2015.
26.03.2021: Discussing Iceland’s volcanic eruption
COMET Associate Evgenia Ilyinskaya (University of Leeds) appeared on a pair of programmes to discuss the volcanic eruption in Iceland
24.03.2021: Radar satellite fleets are measuring movements on Earth like never before
COMET Deputy Director Juliet Biggs (University of Bristol) comments on the InSAR satellite data findings on the East African volcanoes.
22.03.2021: COMET on Iceland’s national broadcaster
COMET Associate Evgenia Ilyinskaya (University of Leeds) appeared on Iceland’s national broadcaster in a piece discussing at the safety of people at the sites of the ongoing volcanic eruption. In Icelandic.
22.03.2021: Developing SpaceX and OneWeb satellites
COMET Deputy Director Professor Marek Ziebart (UCL) provides an overview on the development and delivery of satellites by SpaceX and OneWeb.
22.03.2021: Commet Associate on the first eruption in Iceland in about 800 years
COMET Associate Evgenia Ilyinskaya (University of Leeds) describes the experience of getting close to the Geldingadalur eruption site.
12.03.2021: Iceland on high alert as increased seismic activity raises volcano threat
COMET Associate Evgenia Ilyinskaya (University of Leeds) comments on the impact of any eruption which is likely to be less disruptive compared to the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull.
16.02.2021: Uttarakhand dam disaster: What caused India’s deadly flood?
COMET Researcher Scott Watson (University of Leeds) is quoted (and appears) in the Sky news article on using satellite imagery to analyse the cause of the flood that has devastated Uttarakhand in northern India.
2.02.2021: Understanding seismic ground shaking
COMET PhD student Aisling O’Kane (University of Cambridge) leads research on helping scientists understand why some sedimentary basins are particularly prone to hazardous ground shaking following earthquakes.
5.01.2021: Understanding satellite images from the Cold War
COMET Staff Scientist Dr Scott Watson is quoted in this New York Times article about images from the Cold War’s Corona satellites that are helping scientists understand how we have changed our planet in the past half-century.
5.11.2020: More about the recent earthquake in Greece and Turkey
COMET Scientist Laura Gregory (University of Leeds) discusses the recent earthquake under the Aegean Sea on BBC Inside Science, Radio 4 (from from around 9:30 minutes in).
31.10.2020: Advancing volcanic monitoring with specially-adapted drones
COMET Scientist Marie Edmonds (University of Cambridge), co-author, comments on new research on specially-adapted drones, that are transforming how we forecast eruptions.
30.10.2020: Greece and Turkey earthquake explained
COMET Scientist Laura Gregory (University of Leeds) describes the tectonic complexity behind the powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake.
12.10.2020: Could nanocrystals drive explosive volcanic eruptions?
COMET Scientist Marie Edmonds (University of Cambridge) comments in article on why ‘Nanocrystals could drive explosive volcanic eruptions’.
4.08.2020: Professor Tim Wright about earthquake mapping using EDGE computing
Professor Tim Wright (COMET Director) appears on BBC Digital World in a segment about earthquake mapping with localised EDGE computing.
13.07.2020: Models of recent California earthquakes
COMET scientist Pablo Gonzalez (University of Liverpool) highlights the “simplifying assumptions” that all models make about our “astoundingly complex planet”.
8.07.2020: Protecting Nepal’s future generations from earthquakes
COMET scientist Max Werner (University of Bristol) is co-investigator on the SAFER Nepal Project, the aims of which are described in this article.
6.05.2020: Iceye’s small radar satellites
Professor Tim Wright (COMET Director) is quoted in a BBC article about Iceye’s microsatellites and their ability to provide InSar data.
13.12.2019: Using satellite data to predict volcanic eruptions
Article on the 2019 JGR Solid Earth research paper ‘Using Machine Learning to Automatically Detect Volcanic Unrest in a Time Series of Interferograms’ by COMET researchers.
21.03.2019: How can volcano cliffs affect monitoring data
Juliet Biggs, co-author, comments on new research that reveals that sharp variations of the surface of volcanoes can affect data collected by monitoring equipment.
14.02.2019: Dr Fabien Albino and Professor Juliet Biggs’ research in news
Research published in Nature by COMET researchers Dr Fabien Albino and Professor Juliet Biggs at the University of Bristol was covered by a number of media sources
11.12.2018: How can AI help us detect volcano deformation patterns
Andy Hooper explains how artificial intelligence can help to detect volcano deformation patterns in millions of pieces of data.
23.08.2018: What can the 2016 Italian earthquakes tell us to improve future seismic forecasts?
Work by Richard Walters and Laura Gregory has shown that the clustering of the three 2016 Italian quakes might have been caused by a cross-cutting network of underground faults.
12.04.2018: New evidence about one of the worlds most deadly earthquake zones
Ekbal Hussain’s work on the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey shows that tectonic strain builds up along this fault — one of the worlds most deadly earthquake zones — at a remarkably steady rate.#
30.05.2017: How do volcanoes shape the Earth?
Tamsin Mather explains how her work is helping to not only predict when a volcano may erupt, but to understand how volcanoes shape our planet both now and over geological time.
19.04.2017: Predicting future eruptions
Juliet Biggs and Andy Hooper explain how the Sentinel constellation will routinely map the planet’s surface, looking for signs that might hint at a future eruption.
5.04.2017: Tsunami risk in Gulf to Pakistan coastal region
Camilla Penney explains how a 1,000 km long fault at the northern end of the Arabian Sea may pose a tsunami threat.
23.03.2017: Rethinking earthquakes behaviour after Kaikoura
Professor Tim Wright explains the mechanics behind this event which has prompted a rethink about how earthquakes are expected to behave in high-risk regions such as New Zealand.
