The Magma and Volcanoes Laboratory (LMV) is one of the largest research laboratories in the world fully dedicated to the study of magmatic and volcanic processes. It is a joint research unit that belongs to the Blaise Pascal University of Clermont-Ferrand (UBP), linked to the French National Scientific Research Center (CNRS, UMR 6524), the Institute of Research for Development (IRD, UMR 163) and the Jean Monnet de Saint Etienne University (UJM). The LMV is one of the two laboratories of the Clermont-Ferrand Observatory of Terrestrial Physics (OPGC). It is also the UBP’s Department of Education in the Earth Sciences and includes the UJM’s educational staff in the Earth Sciences.

Website (in french)

University of Clermont Auvergne

The LMV includes about 150 people on several sites, including the Blaise Pascal de Clermont-Ferrand University (main site), the Jean Monnet de Saint Etienne University, the National Polytechnic School of Quito in Ecuador, the Instituto Geologico Minero y Metalurgico de Lima in Peru and the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazards of Bandung in Indonesia. It has been developed for three main purposes:

1. Fundamental Research: Understanding all magmatic and volcanic processes, from the deep processes operating within the earth’s mantle to surface eruption;

2. Long-term Observation: Surveillance of natural phenomena related to our planet’s volcanic activity in order to better understand the processes and to prevent related risks;

3. Partnership with countries in the southern hemisphere: Conducting research for development for the benefit of our partners (Latin America, Asia) through cooperative programs.

The primary vocation of the LMV is to create concepts and tools in the fields of volcanology, petrology and geochemistry in order to answer the fundamental questions surrounding powerful volcanic and magmatic phenomena. These answers always involve cutting-edge technology and/or experimental or analytical development. Therefore, research at LMV employs the most powerful methods and tools from many fields in the Earth Sciences (experimental magmatology, minerology, petrology, geophysics, isotopic and elementary geochemistry, physics of materials, physical and analog volcanology, etc.) and relies on a large supply of experimental devices and chemical and physical characterizations of rocks and minerals.

The laboratory is divided up into 3 thematic teams, plus an applied environmental research group: 1. Volcanology; 2. Experimental petrology; 3. Geochemistry.