Harghita–Ciomadul Field Expedition: International Collaboration and New Research Directions

Between 18 and 24 October 2026, members of our research group conducted field observations and sample collection in the Harghita and Ciomadul volcanic areas as part of our ongoing research aimed at better understanding the volcanic activity and magmatic processes in the region.

The field expedition was a particularly exciting experience for two new members of our research group, Maylis de Dinechin and Abigail Martens, whose research focuses on the Ciomadul volcanic area. This was their first visit to the region, providing an opportunity to explore the natural beauty, remarkable geological features, and scientific highlights of the youngest volcanic area in the Carpathian–Pannonian Region.

We are also pleased to announce that Dávid Dobri has joined our research activities as an MSc student. His research will focus on the detailed investigation of the magmatic evolution of the Cucu volcanic complex in the Harghita volcanic chain.

Our research in the Harghita Mountains is also linked to a successful international Swiss–German–Czech Weave research project, in which our research group participates as associated researchers. The Swiss part of the project is led by Razvan-Gabriel Popa (ETH Zürich). One of the key objectives is to investigate how volcanic activity and magmatic processes evolved during the development of the Southern Harghita volcanic chain, with particular emphasis on the transition from Harghita to Ciomadul volcanism. Dávid Dobri, an MSc student, and Natacha Zufferey, a PhD student at ETH Zürich, are actively involved in this research.

The fieldwork brought together several members of the international research team, including Razvan-Gabriel Popa, Réka Lukács, Abigail Martens, Maylis de Dinechin, Olivier Bachmann, Szabolcs Harangi, Ioan Seghedi, Boglára-Mercédesz Kis, as well as three students from Babeș–Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.