Sofia Della Sala

Volcanologist

I sort of ‘fell’ into the field of Earth Science – Volcanology, more specifically. I studied Chemistry at Glasgow University, and completed a Masters in Organic Chemistry; at the time I was only really aware of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as sciences. I was not aware that there were so many more science subjects out there, like Earth Science and Geology.

After I finished my Masters, I did not want to continue in pure Chemistry but did not know yet what I wanted from the science world. So I took a break and worked as a journalist for a year, since I loved writing and communicating, whilst I figured out where I fit in the science world. After some Googling I discovered that there was such a thing as Geochemistry where people can research things like the oceans or volcanoes, and I decided that is where I wanted to go next.

I was lucky enough to be accepted to the University of Oxford to carry out a PhD looking at the chemistry of volcanic systems. Though it was a massive learning curve at the beginning, I have now found a fascination in the world of volcanoes and I love teasing out their secrets by understanding the chemistry behind how they work. For example, it is due to chemical differences that lava is either runny or sticky, and this can affect how explosive a volcanic eruption is!

I analyse samples from Santorini in Greece to understand how hydrothermal activity (e.g. hot springs) is connected to the volcanic system and whether there is a relationship between the two. I have had the opportunity to go on a research cruise around Santorini to collect samples using an underwater robot. This is never something I thought I would be able to do when I was a Chemistry undergrad and I am in awe that this is now my job.