Explosive versus effusive volcanism

I am carrying out a Humboldt fellowship with Jon Castro at the University of Mainz (Germany), tackling what controls the eruptive behaviour of volcanoes. 

The most explosive volcanic eruptions on earth are predominantly derived from silica-rich magmas, due to their viscous and gas-rich nature. However these same magmas can also erupt non-explosively and extrude as lava flows or domes. Why silicic volcanoes sometimes "flow" or "blow" remains unclear, and thus is an active area of volcanological research that has implications for volcanic hazard assessment and mitigation in populated regions. 

I am looking at one of Indonesia's most deadly volcanoes: Mt Kelud. Click on the Gif below:

Publications:

• Cassidy, M., Castro, J.C., Helo, C., Troll, V., Deegan, F., Muir, D. Neave, D.A., Meuller, S.P. ‘Volatile dilution during magma injections and implications for volcano explosivity‘ Geology (2016)

• 12. 1027-1030 DOI:10.1130/G38411.1 44 no. [OPEN ACCESS]

  • Coussens, M., Cassidy., M, Watt, S.F.L., Jutzeler, M., Talling, P.J., Barfod, D., Gernon, T., Taylor, R.N., Hatter, S.J., Palmer, M.R., Montserrat Volcano Observatory 'Long-term changes in explosive and effusive behaviour at andesitic arc volcanoes: Chronostratigraphy of the Centre Hills Volcano, Montserrat' Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (2017)

• Cassidy, M., Cole, P.D., Hicks, K.E., Varley, N.R., Peters, N., Lerner, A. ‘Rapid and slow: Varying ascent rates as a mechanism for Vulcanian explosions’ Earth and Planetary Science Letters. (2015) 420: 73-84. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2015.03.025 [OPEN ACCESS]