Geoff Wadge (1949-2026)
Renowned for his major contributions to geology, volcanology and Earth observation
Geoff Wadge (© Colombia Climate School)
Geoff Wadge was educated at Burnley Grammar School, going on to study geology at Imperial College London in 1968. His organisational skills soon came to the fore by leading a student expedition to southern Iceland in the summer of 1969 and Geoff stayed on to complete a PhD investigating ground deformation and rates of eruption on Mount Etna. Throughout these early years, Geoff was a keen mountaineer and potholer.
Academic pursuits
In 1975, Geoff was appointed as a lecturer in the geology department of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Kingston, Jamaica. A few years later, he moved to the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, to research the tectonics of the Eastern Caribbean and, under the influence of Tom McGetchin, used remote sensing to monitor active volcanoes. He joined the Seismic Research Unit of UWI in Trinidad in 1982, which had the responsibility of monitoring earthquakes and volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean.
Geoff took up a research fellowship at the University of Reading in 1985. Through his Caribbean connections, Geoff and Michael Isaacs carried out an assessment of volcanic hazards of the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, and their report in 1988 was sent to the governments of Montserrat and the UK. In 1995, the volcano started its first historic eruption. The Wadge and Isaacs report was extraordinarily prescient, anticipating the eruption and forecasting the key consequences, thereby becoming a critical document for dealing with a major emergency. Their report is an outstanding example of how to carry out and apply a scientific assessment of hazards from a major volcanic eruption.
Geoff became Director of the Environmental Systems Science Centre at the University of Reading in 2012 and a professor in the Department of Meteorology in 2014. He continued his career at the university until retirement in 2020.
Pioneering volcano monitoring
As a pioneer in the application of remote sensing in volcanology, Geoff’s most significant work was on using radar imaging measurements to monitor active volcanoes by documenting volcano deformation and mapping new topography caused by eruptions. For this and many other pieces of world-class volcano research, Geoff was awarded the Murchison Medal from the Geological Society in 2015.
Geoff was a pioneer in the application of remote sensing in volcanology
Geoff was also a key figure in establishing the multidisciplinary UK Centre for Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET), chairing the steering committee. His contributions to managing the Montserrat emergency were also significant to his chairing of the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scientific Advisory Committee for Montserrat from 2003 to 2014. Frank Savage (Governor of Montserrat 1993-1997) commented that Geoff became a household name across the island due to his great service to the community over more than 30 years.
Geoff’s research work was characterised by meticulous observations, thoroughness, a flair for analytical thinking and great originality. He leaves a legacy of outstanding research that benefitted society and is known for his integrity, sharp intellect and inspiring teaching. Geoff is survived by his wife Linda, son, daughter and grandson.
By Stephen Sparks
