Researchers from University of Alberta visit Montserrat Volcano Observatory to Carry Out Study

A group of researchers from the University of Alberta in Canada are on a visit to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) from May 6 to June 6.

According to the MVO, the researchers are using a geophysical technique called Magneto-tellurics (MT) to study the distribution of hot water beneath Montserrat.

This study is building on an earlier study in 2009 by MVO director, Dr. Graham Ryan.

The 2025 study is part of the RESET project led by Oxford University which is investigating geothermal energy potential and the possibility to extract metals dissolved in the geothermal fluids.

MT uses natural radio signals to look inside the Earth and can map the amount of water from the surface to a depth of more than 10 km.

Measurements are being made across the island, with a focus on area around the geothermal wells.

The group from Canada is led by Prof. Martyn Unsworth who has applied the MT method to geothermal exploration and volcano studies in a number of countries.

The other team members are Anna Redanz and Andrew Williamson who are graduate students at the University of Alberta.