The Recent Volcanic Eruption in New Zealand
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Vulcanian eruption
Abstract The level of lava within a volcanic conduit reflects the overpressure within a connected magma reservoir. Continuous monitoring of lava level can therefore provide critical insights into volcanic processes and aid hazard assessment. However, accurate measurements of lava level are not easy to make, partly owing to the often dense fumes that hinder optical techniques. Here we present the first radar instrument designed for the purpose of monitoring lava level and report on its successful operation at Erebus volcano, Antarctica. We describe the hardware and data‐processing steps followed to extract a time series of lava lake level, demonstrating that we can readily resolve ∼1 m cyclic variations in lake level that have previously been recognized at Erebus volcano. The performance of the radar (continuous, automated data collection in temperatures of around −30 °C) indicates the suitability of this approach for sustained automated measurements at Erebus and other volcanoes with lava lakes.
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In April and since June, a red glow has been visible on top of Nyamulagira, the most western volcano of the Virunga Volcanic Province, in the western branch of the East African Rift. Helicopter flights and field observations quickly confirmed the presence of lava fountains that might evolve into what could become a new lava lake inside a 400‐ by 600‐meter‐wide pit crater, in the northeast sector of the central caldera (see Figure 1).
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In 1891, the Virunga Mountains of Eastern Zaire were first acknowledged as volcanoes, and since then, the Virunga Mountain chain has demonstrated its potentially violent volcanic nature. The Virunga Mountains lie across the Eastern African Rift in an E-W direction located north of Lake Kivu. Mt. Nyamuragira and Mt. Nyiragongo present the most hazard of the eight mountains making up Virunga volcanic field, with the most recent activity during the 1970-90's. In 1977, after almost eighty years of moderate activity and periods of quiescence, Mt. Nyamuragira became highly active with lava flows that extruded from fissures on flanks circumscribing the volcano. The flows destroyed vast areas of vegetation and Zairian National Park areas, but no casualties were reported. Mt. Nyiragongo exhibited the same type volcanic activity, in association with regional tectonics that effected Mt. Nyamuragira, with variations of lava lake levels, lava fountains, and lava flows that resided in Lake Kivu. Mt. Nyiragongo, recently named a Decade volcano, presents both a direct and an indirect hazard to the inhabitants and properties located near the volcano. The Virunga volcanoes pose four major threats: volcanic eruptions, lava flows, toxic gas emission (CH4 and CO2), and earthquakes. Thus, the volcanoes of the Eastern African volcanic field emanate harm to the surrounding area by the forecast of volcanic eruptions. During the JSC Summer Fellowship program, we will acquire and collate remote sensing, photographic (Space Shuttle images), topographic and field data. In addition, maps of the extent and morphology(ies) of the features will be constructed using digital image information. The database generated will serve to create a Geographic Information System for easy access of information of the Eastem African volcanic field. The analysis of volcanism in Eastern Africa will permit a comparison for those areas from which we have field data. Results from this summer's work will permit further study and monitoring of the volcanic activity in the area. This is of concern due to the large numbers of refugees fleeing into Zaire where they are being positioned at the base of Mt. Nyiragongo. The refugees located at the base of the volcano are in direct hazard of suffocation by gas emission and destruction by lava flow. The results from this summer study will be used to secure future funding to enable continuation of this project.
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This paper is the first to compile the accounts of Western explorers to Hawai‘i who used volcanic heat. During the 1800s, Western explorers used volcanic heat when climbing and surveying Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawai‘i. The explorers cooked food on steam vents and lava streams. They drank condensed water from volcanic steam and bathed in a warm basin and warm springs. They warmed themselves near steam cracks and a lava stream, lit cigarettes with Kīlauea’s lava lake, and collected rocks. To confirm the presence of volcanic heat, this study uses geothermal resource maps and data from the Hawai‘i Play Fairway project. The areas where the explorers used volcanic heat have a probability of volcanic heat of 0.7 to 1.0, and elevated temperatures in nearby water wells indicate heat sources. Kīlauea and Mauna Loa erupted numerous times, and the surrounding areas experienced volcanic steam releases and lava flows. The explorers used volcanic heat to facilitate not only their survival but also the Western exploration and scientific investigation of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
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Electrical conduit
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Volcanic Gases
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The effects of chemical composition of the lava, physical processes of volcanic formation, and lava flow lengths on the morphology of Earth volcanoes were investigated. Difficulties in investigating volcanic morphology are discussed.
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Lava field
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Analysis of Active Lava Flows on Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, Using SIR-C Radar Correlation Measurements
Precise eruption rates of active pahoehoe lava flows on Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, have been determined using spaceborne radar data acquired by the Space Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C). Measurement of the rate of lava flow advance, and the determination of the volume of new material erupted in a given period of time, are among the most important observations that can be made when studying a volcano.
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Lava field
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