Africa is dotted by more than 150 known volcanoes, some of which are dormant while many are active. Several others are extinct, eroded, and in remote areas. Some may even be in yet unknown volcanic fields or buried below younger formations.

The large majority of these volcanoes have been scarcely studied as regards their eruptive history, volcano monitoring for hazard assessment, and volcanic resources evaluation (especially geothermal) for sustainable development. The poor representation of African volcanism in the academic literature is due to several reasons, among which are:

(1) the rarity of volcanologists and volcanological programs in university curricula in Africa;

(2) the lack of local financial support for volcanological research;

(3) the absence of government institutions, volcano observatories and research centers with a clear mandate to monitor volcanoes for hazards assessment;

(4) the lack of strong international linkages and networks for research collaborations.

Goals

The goal of this event is to bring African Volcanologists together from across the globe and officially launch the Network of African Volcanologists “NAV”, and produce a document defining its structure, goals and mission.

In addition to this main aim, the workshop will further discussion subjects related to the state of Volcanology in Africa, i.e. volcano education, research and monitoring. Hence the below subject will be further be discussed:
   – Evaluate and discuss the state and availability of infrastructures for Volcano Research and Monitoring;
   – Volcano Hazards Assessment;
   – Volcano Risk Reduction in each of the African country with volcanoes particularly the active.
   – Evaluate and discuss the qualification of local volcano monitoring and volcano hazards assessment scientific teams in each of these country;
   – Evaluate and discuss the availability of universities with volcanology curricula on the African continent, and other disciplines related to volcanology such as geophysics, seismology, geochemistry, volcano hazards and risk assessment.
   – Discuss the strategies of improving the public knowledge of the results of volcano research among the population on the African continent, as well as education on volcanic hazards and risks.
   – Establish regional and continental collaboration between African institutions devoted to volcano science, i.e., volcano research centers or institutes, observatories, and universities.