What is VICTOR?
VICTOR is a centralized, cloud-based computational platform aimed at helping volcanologists find, use, and integrate numerical models and other computational tools. The central piece of VICTOR is a JupyterHub that users connect to through a web browser.
What’s on VICTOR?
The set of models and tools on VICTOR is continuously expanding. At present, we have a large set of models to simulate eruption processes (from magma ascent to ash dispersal), a library of geochemical and petrological tools, and example workflows for accessing external data repositories (e.g., OpenTopography, NASA, Copernicus). In addition, VICTOR includes many python libraries and compilers for multiple languages.
Who can/should use VICTOR?
Anyone can request access using a form on the VICTOR website. Registrations get approved by the VICTOR development team. Authentication is done through GitHub, Google, or Microsoft accounts (more options may be added in the future). Intended users include students, researchers, and faculty at academic institutions, staff at volcano observatories, stakeholders in industry and non-profit organizations. VICTOR is well set up for use in both research and education, and self-contained teaching modules are being developed for classroom use.
Who is behind VICTOR?
The leadership team includes Einat Lev (Columbia University), Sylvain Charbonnier and Charles Connor (U of South Florida) and Abani Patra (Tufts University). The team at Columbia University also includes Sam Krasnoff (VICTOR lead engineer) and Amelia Mullins (Training and Education Coordinator). The current members of the VICTOR advisory board are Joe Dufek (U of Oregon), Grace Bato (NASA/JPL), Shannon Kobs (Idaho State), Mattia di Micheli Vitturi (INGV), and Yan Zhan (U of Hong Kong).
Where can I learn more about VICTOR?
A short introductory video about VICTOR is available in English and Spanish. More detailed information is available on the VICTOR Documentation page. Users are welcome to interact, discuss, and ask for or give advice using the VICTOR Forum
Events: We hold in-person training sessions at major conferences (AGU, IAVCEI, Cities on Volcanoes) as well as virtual webinars on a quarterly basis. A virtual course on Computational Volcanology is being offered in Spring semesters by the U of South Florida.