Quantifying the geomorphic impacts of a lake-breakout lahar, Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2010 Quantifying the geomorphic impacts of a lake-breakout lahar, Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand Jonathan Procter; Jonathan Procter * 1Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, P.B. 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand *E-mail: j.n.procter@massey.ac.nz. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Shane J. Cronin; Shane J. Cronin 1Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, P.B. 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ian C. Fuller; Ian C. Fuller 2School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University, P.B. 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gert Lube; Gert Lube 1Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, P.B. 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Vern Manville Vern Manville 3GNS Science Ltd., P.B. 2000, Taupo, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2010) 38 (1): 67–70. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30129.1 Article history received: 10 Feb 2009 rev-recd: 26 Jul 2009 accepted: 30 Jul 2009 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jonathan Procter, Shane J. Cronin, Ian C. Fuller, Gert Lube, Vern Manville; Quantifying the geomorphic impacts of a lake-breakout lahar, Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand. Geology 2010;; 38 (1): 67–70. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30129.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract At 11:18 h (New Zealand time, GMT +12) on 18 March 2007 an impoundment of 0.01 × 106 m3 of tephra collapsed, releasing 1.3 × 106 m3 of water from Crater Lake at 2536 m elevation on Mount Ruapehu. The lahar traveled 200 km along the Whangaehu River. Aerial LiDAR surveys of the upper 62 km of flow path were made before and after the lahar. We present here the first large-scale quantification of the geomorphic impact of the dam-break flood along with the rates and controls on its sediment entrainment and deposition. The flood mobilized a net value of 2.5–3.1 × 106 m3 of boulders, gravel, and sand over the first 5 km of travel to form a lahar of at least 4.4 × 106 m3 passing instruments at 6.9 km. LiDAR volume-transfer calculations match dynamic measurements made. After a logarithmic increase in cumulative net sediment entrainment, the lahar appeared to reach its maximum sediment-carrying capacity at 22 km. Patterns of alternating sediment erosion and deposition occurred that dominantly reflect a combination of channel morphology and confinement on the local sediment-carrying capacity of the flow. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.