Erasmus+ School Visit – Understanding Volcanism

In March 2026, a Year 11 class from the Maximilian Kolbe Gymnasium in Cologne-Porz visited the Department of Geography as part of their Erasmus+ programme. The group was accompanied by exchange students from Spain and France. This year's Erasmus+ theme focused on volcanism – making it the perfect opportunity for Junior Professor Dr Svenja Riedesel, an expert in volcanic research, to introduce the students to this fascinating field.

After previously visiting Mount Teide on Tenerife and exploring the volcanic landscapes of the Eifel region, the students continued their journey at the institute with a session entitled "Volcanoes and Tephra – How to Identify Volcanoes and Volcanic Eruptions." Svenja Riedesel introduced the different types of volcanoes and volcanic eruptions, explained the basics of tephrochronology, and presented a range of volcanic rock samples. Through this interactive session, the students gained first-hand insight into how volcanism is investigated in geographical research.

edited by Luisa Loers