Grain Shape Analysis of the Volcanic Ash Particle from Soputan Volcano to Investigate Eruption Type

Abstract

Volcanic ash showcases a diverse spectrum of shapes, each with different physical properties and behaviours.Those properties and behaviours are often linked with fragmentation process of the magma inside the volcano. Analyzing the shape of a volcanic ash can give us valuable information behind the magma formation and the eruption style of a volcano. This research are conducted in hope to find implication between volcanic ash grain size and the eruption style of Mount Soputan. Sample from Soputan volcano eruption are choosed because of the danger the mountain holds to the populated area that surrounds it. Samples from three different eruption date are collected and being examined by ImageJ to determine the shape parameters needed in order to find the eruption type. Manual observation are also conducted to support the result from software analysis.