Ever wondered what happens behind the doors of a natural history museum? From collections, archives, conservation to research, there is so much to learn and that we don't see as visitors. To give us some insight into this, please welcome Chiara Maria Petrone from NHM London!

Dr Chiara Maria Petrone (she/her) is head of Volcano Petrology at the Natural History Museum, in London, UK. Her research focuses on volcanoes, particularly those that are currently active. Her major research goal is to make robust estimates of the timescales of volcanic eruptions and thereby improve forecasting of future eruptions and their impact on society. She leads development in analytical techniques that push the boundaries of extracting time-related information from single minerals at the micron-scale. She uses the rocks erupted during volcanic eruptions to unravel the hidden processes inside the volcano, as a psychologist explores the human mind.

Instagram - @chiara.petrone.1

Linkedin - Chiara Maria Petrone

Webpage - NHM Mineral and Planetary Sciences

Volcanoes and earth science are a very visual field, where illustrations and sketches are critical for a targeted and simplistic understanding. In this episode we speak with scientific illustrator Annabelle Foster about the importance of accurate illustrations and schematics in Earth Science, as well as setting up her own business in this area.

Annabelle is a scientific illustrator and Earth scientist with a PhD in volcanology from Durham University, where her love for turning complex science into visual stories first began. She specialises in illustrating Earth science research, but her freelance work spans a wide range of fields, including cardiology, neuroscience, immunology, physics, and bioengineering.

Annabelle has travelled far and wide to study volcanoes up close. Her doctoral research focused on an obsidian-rich volcanic ridge in Iceland, where she investigated how obsidian can form from sintered volcanic ash, not just from rapidly cooling lava!

Based in North Yorkshire, she works with clients around the world and is dedicated to making science more accessible, visual, and inspiring. Her illustrations have appeared in academic journals, education resources, public engagement projects, and international conferences.

Website: www.annabellefoster.com

Instagram: @geology_talk

Every continent has a highest mountain, but every continent also has a highest volcano! Wouldn't it be incredible to climb all seven?! So let's speak to someone who has done it!

This episode we're joined by mountaineer, military veteran and volcanic climber, Ricardo Kaljouw, who recently completed the Seven Volcanic Summits challenge - to talk all about his experiences climbing these seven volcanoes. You won't believe how different each of these are!

Ricardo Kaljouw, born on May 22, 1986, in Vlissingen, Netherlands, is a distinguished Dutch alpinist and military veteran. He is known for his achievements in mountaineering, particularly for completing the Volcanic Seven Summits challenge. This feat, which involves climbing the highest volcanic peaks across all seven continents, was capped by his historic summit of Mount Sidley in Antarctica in February 2025, making him the first Dutchman to complete this challenging endeavor. He is also ranked as number 50 in the world to have completed the Volcanic Seven Summits.

Beyond his accomplishments in climbing, Kaljouw is a veteran of the Dutch Armed Forces, having served in multiple military missions. His experience in the military has shaped his approach to both mountaineering and life, instilling a sense of discipline, resilience, and determination that has propelled him through extreme challenges.

Kaljouw has climbed over 50 high-elevation volcanoes around the world, some of which are still active. His passion for volcanic exploration goes beyond the summits, as he actively shares his experiences through various platforms. Engaging with a community of fellow explorers, he teaches newcomers about the fascinating world of volcanoes.

Website: https://sevenvolcanicsummits.com/

Instagram: @sevenvolcanicsummits

Time to get artistic, as nature IS one of our greatest artists, but sometimes we also need human artists to help us better visualize and interpret the world around us. We're joined in this episode by nature illustrator and geologist, Vojta Hybl, as he takes us through his journey across geology and art, and how he is using art as a way of communicating the geological world with the public.

Vojta (he/him) is a nature illustrator, writer and educator based in Scotland. He works at the intersection of art and science, exploring the interconnectedness of the natural world as well as our relationship with it. Vojta studied Geology and Physical Geography at The University of Edinburgh and found his way into illustration when doing field sketches. He began communicating geology through art on Instagram as 'Rocks on Paper' in 2021. Since then, Vojta's practice has grown to include all parts of nature and he has worked on science communication and creative projects with National Museums Scotland, Dynamic Earth, The University of Edinburgh and The Nature Library.

Socials and links:

Instagram: @vojta.illustrates

BlueSky: @vojtahybl.com

Website and shop: vojtahybl.com

Newsletter: https://vojtahybl.com/subscribe

How can we use the ever-growing world of social media to educate people about volcanoes?? We're joined by volcano science communicator and content creator, Denali, to discuss everything from creating funny and informative videos to battling viral misinformation during volcanic crises.

Denali (they/them) is a graduate student pursuing a PhD in volcanic geochemistry. They obtained a Bachelors of Science degree from University of Florida, completing an honors thesis on mid-ocean ridge volcanism before working as a laboratory technician at the Alaska Volcano Observatory. They now research the evolution of plagioclase ultraphyric basalts in Iceland as a part of their PhD. Denali is very active in science communication and outreach and currently run three different social media accounts focused on increasing public knowledge of geoscience and encouraging young students to pursue a career in the Earth sciences, and promoting equality in STEM as a whole.

All socials are under @dykanite:
Instagram , Tiktok, Youtube , Bluesky, Facebook

We kickstart Season 3 diving into one of the founding places for the modern study and science of geology... Scotland. Three billion years of history, with plenty of volcanic activity along the way! But what if you had someone to guide you through this incredible landscape??

In this episode we're joined by geoscience communicator, presenter and "scottish geologist" Luisa Hendry (she/her) to explore what Scotland has to offer as a geo-teaching paradise, and also Luisa's role a geological tour guide. Enjoy, and maybe sign up for one of Luisa's tours if you're ever in the neighbourhood!

Luisa Hendry, known online as @scottishgeologist, is a Scottish geologist and science communicator renowned for her engaging educational content on Scotland’s geology. She graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science (Geology) in 2015.

After graduation, Luisa worked as a Senior Engineering Geologist within the engineering sector. In 2023, she began creating educational videos on TikTok and Instagram, sharing her passion for rocks and geological formations. Her authentic and accessible approach quickly earned her a substantial following with over 500K across all her social media accounts.

Building on her online success, Luisa founded “Scot Rock Walks – Geology Tours Ltd” in March 2024, offering guided geology tours across Scotland to educate the public about the nation’s rich geological heritage. She also delivers workshops and educational talks through “Scot Rock Talks,” aiming to inspire future generations of geologists.

Luisa’s contributions have significantly raised public awareness and appreciation of geology, particularly Scotland’s diverse geological landscapes. Her work exemplifies how passion and modern communication platforms can effectively promote science education.

Socials:

IG – https://www.instagram.com/scottishgeologist/?hl=en

FB – https://www.facebook.com/scottishgeologist/?locale=en_GB

YT – https://www.youtube.com/@Sco ttishgeologist

Threads – https://www.threads.com/@scottishgeologist

TT - https://www.tiktok.com/@scottishgeologist?lang=en

X – https://x.com/scotgeologist?lang=en

We finish this season with a focus on training the next generation of geoscience communicators. We're joined by Sharon Backhouse, Director of the GeoTenerife research and training program based in Canary Islands. We talk about the program and also delve into tourism on volcanic islands, geo-sustainability, and public education of risk and hazards.

I (Sharon) am a journalist and an ardent lover of communication and the Canary Islands. We set up GeoTenerife over a decade ago to provide quality learning experiences for international students and showcase these dramatic volcanic islands in the Atlantic we are so passionate about. We have evolved into a science training and research company, collaborating with a range of local, national and international institutions and experts, running field trips and training camps.

We make all of our research output freely available online via our project VolcanoStories. We focus on the three hot issues where we believe change is most needed: La Palma and the response to the 2021 eruption and reconstruction; volcanic readiness in the Canary Islands and sustainable tourism. We self-funded Lava Bombs, a film about the impacts of the 2021 eruption in Cumbre Vieja, to enable the lessons learned here to travel far and wide to advocate for change in the face of any future event. Shortly we will release Lava Bombs 2 on the reconstruction.

As a communicator, I strive to forge communication links between the key stakeholders: politicians, scientists, emergency managers, residents and the press. We all speak and hear differently, and it's vital to ensure messaging is helpful, particularly in times of crisis. We run free courses and events for residents, and interactive sessions where they can meet and question decisionmakers.

We were at IAVCEI in New Zealand to show and run a panel discussion on Lava Bombs and will run various sessions at COV12 to bring all those voices to stakeholders in Guatemala and the wider community. The topics we tackle are emotive and difficult, but we advocate for constructive discussion and listening to ensure all viewpoints are respected and strive for change where necessary. All our training courses include a SciComm training element. Science is at its best when it's unlocked from closed academic circles at the service of the people. We empower our students to go out into the world and communicate effectively across boundaries.

Website: www.geotenerife.com

VolcanoStories: https://geotenerife.com/volcanostories/

Socials - Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok: @GeoTenerife

Lava Bombs:www.lavabombsfilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lavabombsfilm7918

What was your first geology or earth science class? Did you have someone that was an influence in your path? We're joined by community college geology professor Edith Rojas to talk about her personal journey from Nicaragua to the USA, changing career paths, and now passing on geological inspiration to a new diverse generation.

Edith Rojas Salazar (she/her/ella) is an associate professor of Geology at College of the Desert. Edith’s area of expertise is volcanics and geochronology. Professor Rojas is a dynamic force in the geology field nestled in the picturesque Coachella Valley. As a passionate Latina Immigrant, professor Rojas brings a unique perspective to her role, infusing her love for science with a commitment to diversity and accessibility. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom as she engages in science communication initiatives, striving to break down barriers and make STEM fields more inclusive.

Instagram: @Latina_geologist

X: @LatinaGeologist