Pyroclastic Surge Research Articles

The flow dynamics of an extremely large volume pyroclastic flow, the 2.08-Ma Cerro Galán Ignimbrite, NW Argentina, and comparison with other flow types

The 2.08-Ma Cerro Galan Ignimbrite (CGI) represents a >630-km3 dense rock equivalent (VEI 8) eruption from the long-lived Cerro Galan magma system (∼6 Ma). It is a crystal-rich (35–60%), pumice (<10% generally) and lithic-poor (<5% generally) rhyodacitic ignimbrite, lacking a preceding plinian fallout deposit. The CGI is preserved up to 80 km from the structural margins of the caldera, but almost certainly was deposited up to 100 km from the caldera in some places. Only one emplacement unit is preserved in proximal to medial settings and in most distal settings, suggesting constant flow conditions, but where the pyroclastic flow moved into a palaeotopography of substantial valleys and ridges, it interacted with valley walls, resulting in flow instabilities that generated multiple depositional units, often separated by pyroclastic surge deposits. The CGI preserves a widespread sub-horizontal fabric, defined by aligned elongate pumice and lithic clasts, and minerals (e.g. biotite). A sub-horizontal anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility fabric is defined by minute magnetic minerals in all localities where it has been analysed. The CGI is poor in both vent-derived (‘accessory’) lithics and locally derived lithics from the ground surface (‘accidental’) lithics. Locally derived lithics are small (<20 cm) and were not transported far from source points. All data suggest that the pyroclastic flow system producing the CGI was characterised throughout by high sedimentation rates, resulting from high particle concentration and suppressed turbulence at the depositional boundary layer, despite being a low aspect ratio ignimbrite. Based on these features, we question whether high velocity and momentum are necessary to account for extensive flow mobility. It is proposed that the CGI was deposited by a pyroclastic flow system that developed a substantial, high particle concentration granular under-flow, which flowed with suppressed turbulence. High particle concentration and fine-ash content hindered gas loss and maintained flow mobility. In order to explain the contemporaneous maintenance of high particle concentration, high sedimentation rate at the depositional boundary layer and a high level of mobility, it is also proposed that the flow(s) was continuously supplied at a high mass feeding rate. It is also proposed that internal gas pressure within the flow, directed downwards onto the substrate over which the flow was passing, reduced the friction between the flow and the substrate and also enhanced its mobility. The pervasive sub-horizontal fabric of aligned pumice, lithic and even biotite crystals indicates a consistent horizontal shear force existed during transport and deposition in the basal granular flow, consistent with the existence of a laminar, shearing, granular flow regime during the final stages of transport and deposition.

The formation of small cones in Isidis Planitia, Mars through mobilization of pyroclastic surge deposits

We investigate the distinctive distribution and pattern of subkilometer-sized cones in Isidis Planitia, and their relationship to the material that fills the basin. We observe that: (1) the cones show uniform size, spacing, and morphology across the entire basin; (2) they have large central depressions (relative to cone basal diameters) that are generally filled in and commonly show layering; (3) cone chains form highly organized spatial patterns; cones are also found in isolation and in dense fields; (4) many adjacent chains are parallel, and evenly spaced, creating a pattern that mimics lava flows that have experienced compressional folding; (5) no flows are associated with the cones, even where summit crater rims are breached; (6) the cones are at least temporally related to basin fill; (7) the basin fill material is largely fine-grained, but with locally indurated layers at shallow depth; blocks ejected by small craters from these locally indurated layers are commonly dark in color; and (8) relationships between cones along a chain show no systematic temporal formation sequence along the chain. We conclude that the basin was likely inundated by one or more hot, partially welded pyroclastic flows; devolatilization of these flows remobilized volcaniclastic material to form the cones without associated lava flows. The volume of gas required to account for the observed number of cones is low and does not require the presence of ground water or ice.

Geology, tectonics, and the 2002–2003 eruption of the Semeru volcano, Indonesia: Interpreted from high-spatial resolution satellite imagery

The paper illustrates the application of high-spatial resolution satellite images in interpreting volcanic structures and eruption impacts in the Tengger–Semeru massif in east Java, Indonesia. We use high-spatial resolution images (IKONOS and SPOT 5) and aerial photos in order to analyze the structures of Semeru volcano and map the deposits. Geological and tectonic mapping is based on two DEMs and on the interpretation of aerial photos and four SPOT and IKONOS optical satellite images acquired between 1996 and 2002. We also compared two thermal Surface Kinetic Temperature ASTER images before and after the 2002–2003 eruption in order to delineate and evaluate the impacts of the pyroclastic density currents. Semeru's principal structural features are probably due to the tectonic setting of the volcano. A structural map of the Tengger–Semeru massif shows four groups of faults orientated N40, N160, N75, and N105 to N140. Conspicuous structures, such as the SE-trending horseshoe-shaped scar on Semeru's summit cone, coincide with the N160-trending faults. The direction of minor scars on the east flank parallels the first and second groups of faults. The Semeru composite cone hosts the currently active Jonggring-Seloko vent. This is located on, and buttressed against, the Mahameru edifice at the head of a large scar that may reflect a failure plane at shallow depth. Dipping 35° towards the SE, this failure plane may correspond to a weak basal layer of weathered volcaniclastic rocks of Tertiary age. We suggest that the deformation pattern of Semeru and its large scar may be induced by flank spreading over the weak basal layer of the volcano. It is therefore necessary to consider the potential for flank and summit collapse in the future. The last major eruption took place in December 2002–January 2003, and involved emplacement of block-and-ash flows. We have used the 2003 ASTER Surface Kinetic Temperature image to map the 2002–2003 pyroclastic density current deposits. We have also compared two 10 m-pixel images acquired before and after the event to describe the extent and impact of an estimated volume of 5.45 × 10 6 m 3 of block-and-ash flow deposits. An ash-rich pyroclastic surge escaped from one of the valley-confined block-and ash flows at 5 to 8 km distance from the crater and swept across the forest and tilled land on the SW side of the Bang River Valley. Downvalley, the temperature of the pyroclastic surge decreased and a mud-rich deposit coated the banks of the Bang River Valley. Thus, hazard mitigation at Semeru should combine: (1) continuous monitoring of the eruptive activity through an early-warning system, and (2) continuous remote sensing of the morphological changes in the drainage system due to the impact of frequent pyroclastic density currents and lahars.

Pyroclastic deposits from Sarychev Peak, Matua Island discharged in June 2009

We report the first results from a study of pyroclastic material discharged by Sarychev Peak in June 2009 (Matua I., Kuril Is.). We describe the deposits of pyroclastic flows and pyroclastic surges, the ash deposited from the plume of pyroclastic flows, and tephra.

Human corpses as time capsules: new perspectives in the study of past mass disasters.

Looking at the corpses of past natural catastrophes can change completely the conception of how to study human bone remains. The recovery of the Herculaneum victims of the 79 AD Vesuvius eruption was an opportunity for me to adopt a new approach in the study of human skeletons and their context of discovery. During two years of field work, my first aim was to investigate the effects of pyroclastic surges on people and things. The conservation of skeletons and their replacement by fiberglass casts were also provided. This "field laboratory" has developed into a palaeoforensic investigation of the mass disaster caused by the 79 AD natural event. Field and laboratory research, later extended to Pompeii plaster-cast corpses, were also carried out on the victims' remains, footprints, huts and objects found in the sites buried by the prehistoric "Avellino pumices" eruption (3780 ± 100 BP). The new results obtained from the study of the causes of death of people hit by pyroclastic surges produced by past Vesuvius eruptions have proved essential in hazard evaluation in the Neapolitan district and other volcanic areas.

Deposition from pyroclastic surges partially blocked by a topographic obstacle: an example from the Ilchulbong tuff cone, Jeju Island, Korea

Ilchulbong (Jeju Island, Korea) is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has outstanding coastal exposures of a tuff cone formed by a phreatomagmatic eruption of basaltic magma in a shallow sea. Wet fallout and subsequent resedimentation processes were predominant means of emplacement of the tuff cone. The marginal deposits of the tuff cone show, however, peculiar deposit features which resulted from the interaction of wet pyroclastic surges and a topographic obstacle, a ∼30 m-high dissected scoria cone. These features include steeply dipping, inversely graded strata, a breccia bed composed of thin-laminated fine tuff clasts, and isolated tuff clasts within some lapilli tuff beds. These features indicate that the depositional system (underflow or bedload layer) and the transport system (overlying suspension current) of the pyroclastic surges underwent different responses upon colliding with the topographic obstacle. The coarse-grained materials in the depositional system were mostly blocked by the obstacle, producing a scree-like wedge of deposits containing inversely graded grain-flow strata. In contrast, the transport system was not significantly affected by the obstacle, maintaining its momentum and original flow direction after passing over the dissected scoria cone. Some of the fine-grained load in the transport system was, however, plastered onto the cliff wall. The plastered tuffs were later detached and fell from the wall, resulting in an intraformational breccia bed and exotic tuff clasts within some lapilli tuff beds. The studied site, located within a scenic World Natural Heritage site, can be utilized as an important geosite for the education of the processes which occur during the collision of a pyroclastic density current with a topographic obstacle and the different fates of the depositional and transport systems of a pyroclastic density current.

Rocas piroclásticas asociadas conla formación de la caldera de Guayabo, Cordillera de Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The volcanic depression of the Guayabo calderas was emplaced during several collapses between 1.5 to 0.6 m.y. ago. These eruptions are recorded in a series of pumice-ash flows, pyroclastic surges and air-falls tuffs, called Guayabo Formation, that are exposed in the western and southern part of the Guayabo caldera rim. The pyroclastic-flow sheets represent more than 30 km3 of dacitic to rhyolitic magma associated to crystal fractionation processes. The volumen and also the energy of the eruptions decrease in the time. Microprobe and geobarometric analyses of amphiobole suggest that the level of the magma chamber was less than 5 km.

Physical volcanology of the post-twelfth-century activity at Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador: Behavior of an andesitic central volcano

Cotopaxi volcano, situated in the Eastern Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The volcano is well known for the magnificence of its almost perfectly symmetrical cone topped by ice and snow and for the destructive power of its large-scale, syneruptive lahars. This paper presents a stratigraphic study of the post–twelfth-century eruptive products that reveals the existence of 21 continuous tephra beds. Most of them were characterized from both a physical (dispersal areas, deposit volumes, peak Mass Discharge Rate [MDR] of the eruptions) and compositional point of view. New 14 C dates, linked with a new examination of historical chronicles, allow us to create a new chronostratigraphic scheme for this period of activity, which is bracketed by the emplacement of a regional tephra marker (A.D. 1140 ash bed from Quilotoa volcano) and the present day. The first period (A.D. 1150–1742) included only two moderate-intensity explosive eruptions, the oldest being possibly related to a dome disruption. In contrast, the period A.D. 1742–1880 started with two high-intensity, Plinian eruptions (maximum column heights of 25 and 29 km), followed by several short-lived but sustained, convective episodes. Deposits of pyroclastic surges and scoria flows were emplaced during some of these short-lived events and may have been related to column collapse and boiling over activity, respectively. Post-1880 activity, reported in 1904, 1906, and 1912, likely consisted of minor explosions that affected only the crater area. Our study of recent activity at Cotopaxi shows that high dispersive power (peak mass discharge rates from 1.1 to 9.3 × 10 7 kg/s) is associated with the eruption of only moderate amounts of magma (1.1 × 10 10 –6.0 × 10 11 kg, or ∼0.005–0.2 km 3 , Dense Rock Equivalent [DRE]). Additionally, al-though the past 2000 yr of activity at Cotopaxi have been interpreted to reflect a fairly uniform magma supply rate, detailed analysis of the past centuries, and a reanalysis of data from the past 2000 yr show that Cotopaxi9s eruptive activity is characterized by clusters of eruptive events that are separated by periods of long quiescence punctuated by isolated eruptions, often of slightly more evolved magma. No systematic variations in composition emerge in the time sequence. Although new magmatic phases commonly start with the eruption of mafic magma, this is not always observed. Additionally, eruption clusters may show either compositional trends of increasing SiO 2 content or abrupt compositional changes within a cluster. We interpret the temporal and compositional variations in eruptive activity to reflect the complex interplay of deep versus shallow magmatic processes. An important result from the perspective of volcanic hazards is our conclusion that, over the studied period, no clear relation exists among repose time, eruption magnitude, and magma composition. This conclusion contrasts with the periodic eruptive behavior that has been postulated at many central volcanoes worldwide, thus inviting a reexamination of other intermediate-composition volcanic systems and a reassessment of the assumption of periodic activity.

The formation and evolution of Hule and Río Cuarto maars, Costa Rica

The Hule and Río Cuarto maars are respectively located 11 and 18 km northward of the active crater of Poás volcano, on the Caribbean side of the Central Volcanic Range of Costa Rica. They lie on the northern part of Poás volcano massif, along a N–S trending, ~ 27 km-long volcanic fracture crossing the Poás volcano. The volcanic products from Hule maar (2.3 km × 1.8 km, area ~ 3.5 km 2) are mainly pyroclastic surges (poorly vesiculated andesites with very small plagioclases), silica-rich andesitic pumice flows, air-fall deposits, ballistic blocks, and reworked deposits that overlie the regional Pleistocene volcanic basement. They were produced during three main explosive phases. Two overlapping pyroclastic cones have developed within the Hule maar, and at least three lava fields are related to them (high-Al basalt to basaltic andesite). Another maar, Pata de Gallo (400 m across), is located less than 1 km off the SE rim of Hule. Río Cuarto is a nearly circular maar (700–850 m across) with a surface area of 0.33 km 2. Río Cuarto products include surges, ballistics and air-fall tephra, produced during three main explosive phases. These deposits show a narrow fan oriented westward, according to westerly wind direction. They indicate a westerly-directed surge (first 2 km), followed by air-fall deposits (up to 5 km away). Radiocarbon dating has shown that Hule was formed ~ 6.2 ka ago and Pata de Gallo probably formed ~ 2.8 ka ago, while the intra-maar products could have ages of ~ 1.7 ka or ~ 0.7 ka, indicating that Hule is a polygenetic maar. There are no radiocarbon ages yet for dating the formation of Río Cuarto maar, but archaeological data suggest that it erupted between 3–4 ka ago. The volume of pyroclastic deposits associated to Hule maar is estimated to be 0.51–0.53 km 3, from which ~ 20% is juvenile material, therefore 0.07–0.08 km 3 of new dense rock equivalent (DRE) magma, after subtracting 20–30% of porosity. The tephra from Río Cuarto is estimated to be 4.4 × 10 7 m 3, of which 0.008 m 3 correspond to DRE magma. The Hule and Río Cuarto maars are occupied by lakes and, in the last decades, several lake-overturn events have taken place, with a repeat cycle of six to seven years. The main outcome of these events has been the mass death of fish accompanied by changes in the lake color. In these systems, the hazard related to the possible occurrence of Nyos-type gas eruptions can be considered negligible or very local, but significant for tourists who camp by the lakes.

Traveling distance of pyroclastic surge as shown on a volcano hazard map

Traveling distance of pyroclastic surge as shown on a volcano hazard map

Drivers of explosivity and elevated hazard in basaltic fissure eruptions: The 1913 eruption of Ambrym Volcano, Vanuatu (SW-Pacific)

Fissure-eruptions along linear structures can extend for several tens of kilometres with distinct separate manifestations of volcanism along their length. They typically involve low-viscosity mafic magmas forming long lava flows and cinder cones. Eruptions in 1894 and 1913 on Ambrym volcano, Vanuatu, showed how these mildly explosive eruptions can rapidly transform into violent explosive events, producing significant hazard and widespread volcanic ash clouds. During the 1913 episode, a fissure began in the central caldera and basaltic magmas broke out in a series of locations down the island's western flank. In all sites over 100 m in elevation, fissure outbreaks produced vigorous lava fountains and highly fluid lava flows that travelled rapidly to the shoreline. When the outbreaks propagated along the island's axis into coastal plain areas, a climactic series of explosive eruptions occurred, producing a 1.2 km long by 600 m wide maar and tephra ring. A further small tuff ring was formed later, creating a temporary island 400 m offshore. The onshore tephra ring destroyed a hospital and associated buildings. Its last evacuating occupants were close witnesses to the eruption processes. Deposits exposed in the lower portion of the tephra ring show that this part of the eruption began with a mild phreatomagmatic explosive eruption from a narrow vent, followed by a magmatic scoria-producing phase. Subsequently a complex sequence of highly explosive phreatomagmatic eruptions occurred, producing pyroclastic surges, along with repeated distinctive breccia-horizons, rich in coral and lava country rock. These features tally with eye-witness accounts to indicate that the main eruption phase was produced by a periodically shifting locus of phreatomagmatic fragmentation and eruption along a single E-W fissure. The glassy and vesicle-poor pyroclasts produced during this eruption phase were dominantly fragmented in a brittle manner by magma water interaction. Low volatile content of the magma upon fragmentation is confirmed by FTIR analysis showing < 0.5% H 2O in chilled glass. These findings highlight that a degassed, mafic, fissure-fed eruption can under certain circumstances pose a major volcanic hazard if dykes intersect substrates with abundant available water.

The 7–8 August 2008 eruption of Kasatochi Volcano, central Aleutian Islands, Alaska

Kasatochi volcano in the central Aleutian Islands erupted unexpectedly on 7–8 August 2008. Kasatochi has received little study by volcanologists and has had no confirmed historical eruptions. The island is an important nesting area for seabirds and a long‐term biological study site of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After a notably energetic preeruptive earthquake swarm, the volcano erupted violently in a series of explosive events beginning in the early afternoon of 7 August. Each event produced ash‐gas plumes that reached 14–18 km above sea level. The volcanic plume contained large amounts of SO2 and was tracked around the globe by satellite observations. The cumulative volcanic cloud interfered with air travel across the North Pacific, causing many flight cancelations that affected thousands of travelers. Visits to the volcano in 2008–2009 indicated that the eruption generated pyroclastic flows and surges that swept all flanks of the island, accumulated several tens of meters of pyroclastic debris, and increased the diameter of the island by about 800 m. Pyroclastic flow deposits contain abundant accidental lithic debris derived from the inner walls of the Kasatochi crater. Juvenile material is crystal‐rich silicic andesite that ranges from slightly pumiceous to frothy pumice. Fine‐grained pyroclastic surge and fall deposits with accretionary lapilli cover the lithic‐rich pyroclastic flow deposits and mark a change in eruptive style from episodic explosive activity to more continuous ash emission with smaller intermittent explosions. Pyroclastic deposits completely cover the island, but wave erosion and gully development on the flanks have begun to modify the surface mantle of volcanic deposits.

The ultimate summit eruption of Puy de Dôme volcano (Chaîne des Puys, French Massif Central) about 10,700 years ago

The Puy de Dôme volcano is a trachytic lava dome, about 11,000 y old. New pyroclastic layers originating from the volcano itself were discovered covering the summit and the flanks of the volcano. These pyroclastic layers do not fit with the previous interpretation, assuming a non-explosive dome-forming eruption. The tephra display pyroclastic surge features and exhibit fresh trachytic lapilli, basement lithics, allogeneous basaltic lava and clinker fragments requiring an open vent eruption. This ultimate eruption occurred after a period of rest, long enough for vegetation to develop on the volcano, as evidenced by carbonized plant fragments. Radiocarbon dating of some of these fragments gave an age of c.10,700 y also suggesting a significant rest duration.

Reconstruction of the most recent volcanic eruptions from the Valles caldera, New Mexico

Products of the latest eruptions from the Valles caldera, New Mexico, consist of the El Cajete Pyroclastic Beds and Battleship Rock Ignimbrite, a sequence of pyroclastic fall and density current deposits erupted at ~ 55 ka, capped by the later Banco Bonito Flow erupted at ~ 40 ka, and collectively named the East Fork Member of the Valles Rhyolite. The stratigraphy of the East Fork Member has been the subject of conflicting interpretations in the past; a long-running investigation of short-lived exposures over a period of many years enables us to present a more complete event stratigraphy for these eruptions than has hitherto been possible. The volume of rhyolitic magma erupted during the 55 ka event may have been more than 10 km 3, and for the 40 ka event can be estimated with rather more confidence at 4 km 3. During the earlier event, plinian eruptions dispersed fallout pumice over much of the Valles caldera, the southern Jemez Mountains, and the Rio Grande rift. We infer a fallout thickness of several decimeters at the site of the city of Santa Fe, and significant ash fall in eastern New Mexico. In contrast, pyroclastic density currents were channeled within the caldera moat and southwestward into the head of Cañon de San Diego, the principal drainage from the caldera. Simultaneous (or rapidly alternating) pyroclastic fallout and density current activity characterized the ~ 55 ka event, with density currents becoming more frequent as the eruption progressed through two distinct stages separated by a brief hiatus. One early pyroclastic surge razed a forest in the southern caldera moat, in a similar manner to the initial blast of the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Ignimbrite outflow from the caldera through the drainage notch may have been restricted in runout distance due to steep, rugged topography in this vicinity promoting mixing between flows and air, and the formation of phoenix clouds. Lavas erupted during both the ~ 55 and ~ 40 ka events were largely confined to the caldera moat. Any future rhyolitic eruptions of similar magnitude in the southern or western parts of the Valles caldera will likely affect similar areas.

2-A03 箱根火山大涌谷に分布する火砕サージ堆積物から見つかった2種類の火山ガラス(爆発・破砕,口頭発表)

2-A03 箱根火山大涌谷に分布する火砕サージ堆積物から見つかった2種類の火山ガラス(爆発・破砕,口頭発表)

Characterization and facies analysis of the hydrovolcanic deposits of Montaña Pelada tuff ring: Tenerife, Canary Islands

Montaña Pelada is a basaltic Pleistocene tuff ring located in the SE of Tenerife and it is composed of two edifices each with its distinct internal depositional distribution. A detailed stratigraphic analysis was carried out and ten facies were recognized. Deposits interpretation has revealed that water/magma ratio changes controlled the eruptive evolution, distinguishing three main stages of the eruption. Pyroclastic density currents were formed during the initial phreatomagmatic stages depositing the proximal facies, and transformed into turbulent dry surges during the second stage, indicating a reduction in the water/magma ratio. After deposition of these surges, the opening of an N–S fracture drove the eruption northwards creating a new edifice. The new hydrological conditions allowed the input of phreatic water, which resulted in high proportion of accidental lithics within characteristic of the deposits, increasing the water/magma ratio and reducing the fragmentation degree as can be recognized in the third stage. The evolution of the second tuff was similar, starting with radial-diluted pyroclastic surges and finishing with base surges deposits, suggesting lower water/magma ratio and higher fragmentation degree. Whereas the south cone originates dry pyroclastic surges and many tuff facies, northern one does not go beyond the deposition of a laminated tuff.

Shallow-marine records of pyroclastic surges and fallouts over water in Jeju Island, Korea, and their stratigraphic implications

Research Article| August 01, 2010 Shallow-marine records of pyroclastic surges and fallouts over water in Jeju Island, Korea, and their stratigraphic implications Y.K. Sohn; Y.K. Sohn 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S.-H. Yoon S.-H. Yoon 2Faculty of Ocean Science, Marine and Environmental Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Republic of Korea Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Y.K. Sohn 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea S.-H. Yoon 2Faculty of Ocean Science, Marine and Environmental Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Republic of Korea Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 10 Dec 2009 Revision Received: 24 Mar 2010 Accepted: 26 Mar 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2010 Geological Society of America Geology (2010) 38 (8): 763–766. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30952.1 Article history Received: 10 Dec 2009 Revision Received: 24 Mar 2010 Accepted: 26 Mar 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Y.K. Sohn, S.-H. Yoon; Shallow-marine records of pyroclastic surges and fallouts over water in Jeju Island, Korea, and their stratigraphic implications. Geology 2010;; 38 (8): 763–766. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30952.1 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 Explosive volcanism results in a wide range of volcaniclastic deposits in many of Earth's subaerial and subaqueous environments. In this paper, we introduce a unique, shallow-marine volcaniclastic deposit from Jeju Island, Korea, for which the materials were transported to the water surface by pyroclastic clouds and then settled from the surface as they were entrained in the water. The deposition occurred under alternating currents and still waters, which is most plausibly attributed to tidal processes. Mud flasers or drapes intercalated in the deposit, which indicate periods of slack water during tidal cycles, suggest that the deposit accumulated in a very short period of a fortnight or a month, about a million times faster than the adjacent sedimentary strata. Because of the unusually high sedimentation rate, the volcaniclastic deposit could record the “usual” fair-weather processes in the depositional site at a resolution that is almost never provided by ordinary sedimentary deposits. This finding highlights the biases in Earth's stratigraphic records and teaches us that volcanic deposits, commonly regarded as the products of catastrophic events, can in some cases record more faithfully the ordinary and usual processes that nonvolcanic deposits cannot. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Quantitative hazard assessment of phreatomagmatic eruptions at Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Southern Italy) as obtained by combining stratigraphy, event statistics and physical modelling

The detailed analysis of stratigraphy allowed the reconstruction of the complex volcanic history of La Fossa di Vulcano. An eruptive activity mainly driven by superficial phreatomagmatic explosions emerged. A statistical analysis of the pyroclastic Successions led to the identification of dilute pyroclastic density currents (base surges) as the most recurrent events, followed by fallout of dense ballistic blocks. The scale of events is related to the amount of magma involved in each explosion. Events involving about 1 million cm 3 of magma occurred during recent eruptions. They led to the formation of hundreds of meters thick dilute pyroclastic density currents, moving down the volcano slope at velocities exceeding 50 m/s. The dispersion of density currents affected the whole Vulcano Porto area, the Vulcanello area. They also overrode the Fossa Caldera's rim, spreading over the Piano area. For the aim of hazard assessment, deposits from La Fossa Cone and La Fossa Caldera were studied in detail, to depict the eruptive scenarios at short-term and at long-term. By means of physical models that make use of deposit particle features, the impact parameters have been calculated. They are dynamic pressure and particle volumetric concentration of density currents, and impact energy of ballistic blocks. A quantitative hazard map, based on these impact parameters, is presented. It could be useful for territory planning and for the calculation of the expected damage.

Contemporaneous phreatomagmatic and effusive activity along the Hverfjall eruptive fissure, north Iceland: Eruption chronology and resulting deposits

The 2500 BP Hverfjall eruption in northern Iceland produced pyroclastic and effusive deposits of widely different characteristics along the length of the eruptive fissure. The southern half of the fissure was located in a shallow lake, whereas the northern part of the fissure extended onto dry land. This specific setting, with overlapping periods of activity at the different vents, resulted in various mingling features between fine-grained phreatomagmatic deposits and lava flows. Here we reconstruct the course of events during this eruption based on field observations and granulometric analyses of the resulting deposits. The eruption can be divided into three main phases depending on the main depositional characteristics and vent locations. The initial phase is dominated by phreatomagmatic fall deposits which are attributed to an overall high eruption rate in a shallow lacustrine setting. The second phases involved opening of two new vents on dry ground, and deposition of scoria and lava flows. The third and final phase of the eruption is associated with a lowering of the eruption rate in the southernmost vent, with a shift in the activity from continuous uprush and fall deposits to discrete explosions and emplacement of base surges. These surges display features consistent with drying up with increasing distance from the vent, suggesting that their dynamics changed during emplacement. Most wet surges were channelized within a preexisting graben structure close to the vent, but some more dilute (i.e., dry) surges were able to flow over this obstacle and continued to flow for more than 5 km away from the vent and 100 m uphill before stopping.

Lethal thermal impact at periphery of pyroclastic surges: evidences at Pompeii.

BackgroundThe evaluation of mortality of pyroclastic surges and flows (PDCs) produced by explosive eruptions is a major goal in risk assessment and mitigation, particularly in distal reaches of flows that are often heavily urbanized. Pompeii and the nearby archaeological sites preserve the most complete set of evidence of the 79 AD catastrophic eruption recording its effects on structures and people.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we investigate the causes of mortality in PDCs at Pompeii and surroundings on the bases of a multidisciplinary volcanological and bio-anthropological study. Field and laboratory study of the eruption products and victims merged with numerical simulations and experiments indicate that heat was the main cause of death of people, heretofore supposed to have died by ash suffocation. Our results show that exposure to at least 250°C hot surges at a distance of 10 kilometres from the vent was sufficient to cause instant death, even if people were sheltered within buildings. Despite the fact that impact force and exposure time to dusty gas declined toward PDCs periphery up to the survival conditions, lethal temperatures were maintained up to the PDCs extreme depositional limits.Conclusions/SignificanceThis evidence indicates that the risk in flow marginal zones could be underestimated by simply assuming that very thin distal deposits, resulting from PDCs with poor total particle load, correspond to negligible effects. Therefore our findings are essential for hazard plans development and for actions aimed to risk mitigation at Vesuvius and other explosive volcanoes.