Marco Brenna is co-lead of critical step 1.5. His research spans the interface of magmatic and volcanic processes by investigating the chemical and petrologic characteristics of igneous rocks to unravel their history.
He integrates microanalytical investigations of natural rocks and minerals with experimental simulations of the physicochemical conditions of magma evolution.
This approach will help to constrain pre-eruptive processes at Mt. Taranaki with the aim of understanding timescales of crystallization and degassing and the associated eruption dynamics.
This research project will enable him to broaden his experimental expertise to include near-real life understanding of volcanic and eruption processes and will expand his research to active volcanism, benefitting volcanology research in New Zealand.