Project Grant 2529050

This $415,777 Project Grant, awarded August 1, 2026, by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Integrative Activities under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) supports collaborative research investigating sulfur behavior in the volcanic critical zone—the heterogeneous hydrothermal-volcanic environment between magma and surface. The research will examine sulfur occurrence in gaseous, dissolved, and solid forms at well-monitored active volcanoes prone to explosive eruptions to understand dynamic sulfur mobilization processes. The project aims to elucidate compositional variations in volcanic gas emissions linked to eruptive activity, with particular application to hazard assessment and eruption forecasting capabilities for North American and global volcanic regions.

The research deliverables include scientific findings on sulfur transport mechanisms from magma to surface, methodologies for quantifying global volcanic sulfur storage, and improved understanding of redox conditions and microbe colonization in volcanic-hydrothermal systems. Secondary outcomes will assess implications for ore deposit formation and metal sequestration in the crust. The project, executed by the University of New Mexico's Office of Sponsored Projects Division and scheduled for completion July 31, 2029, supports inter-institutional and inter-agency collaboration with student education and training components, advancing volcanic gas monitoring capabilities to enhance public safety related to eruption prediction and natural hazard mitigation.