Marta Woszczycka is one of the beneficiaries of the competition for funding student and PhD candidates mobility within the HarSval project. She received 7000 PLN funding for the specialized course: Greece filed course, University of Oxford.

Enjoy reading her report below:
“Between September 22 and October 2, 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in a field course in Greece organized by the University of Oxford. This course focused on active geological processes observable on the Earth’s surface, and its main objective was to introduce participants to field methods used for identifying and characterizing crustal deformations. The course was divided into two parts. The first part, which took place in Central Greece, focused on the area around the Gulf of Corinth and North Euboean Gulf. In this region, we were able to observe active faults resulting from the extension of the Earth’s crust. We analyzed landforms such as fault scarps and lithological records of sediments, which allowed us to precisely characterize the tectonic dynamics of this area. Practical fieldwork helped develop skills in analyzing terrain morphology and interpreting sedimentary data in the context of seismic activity.

The second part of the course, held on the island of Santorini, was dedicated to volcanic activity. During this phase, we studied the lithological diversity of volcanic rocks and their structures, and we focused on interpreting data related to past eruptions, including the famous Minoan eruption. Through field observations, we had the opportunity to delve into the eruptive process and its impact on shaping the island and its surroundings.

Participating in the course was an extremely valuable experience, which not only expanded my knowledge of active tectonics and volcanology but also allowed me to practically apply field methods that are crucial in geological research. The course was led by two renowned specialists from the University of Oxford, in the field of active tectonics – Prof. Richard Walker, and in the field of volcanology – Prof. Tamsin Mather. The course location, which covered areas with high geological activity, provided excellent conditions for observing and analyzing both deformational and eruptive processes. This course not only provided me with theoretical knowledge but also valuable practical skills that will undoubtedly be useful in my future research work.”