First in-situ observation of a moving natural pyroclastic density current using Doppler radar
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Abstract Pyroclastic density currents are one of the most devastating volcanic hazards. Understanding their dynamics is a key to develop successful hazard mitigation strategies. The hazard associated with pyroclastic density currents is commonly investigated a posteriori from their deposits or a priori using analogue and numerical experiments. Despite the low probability of observing a natural moving pyroclastic density current, we present the first in-situ analysis of the internal particle velocities of pyroclastic density currents at Volcán de Colima using a Doppler radar. Our data show two Vulcanian explosions, immediately followed by column collapse and a first pyroclastic density current travelling down the south flank with an average speed of 30 m/s (>50 m/s maximum speed) to a distance of 3 km from the crater rim. The direction of the pyroclastic density current coincided with that of the radar beam enabling measurement of velocity spectra (histogram of particle velocities within the radar beam). The measurement geometry enables the simultaneous measurement of the dense undercurrent at the crater rim (with <20 m/s and an increasing echo power over 20 s) and the dilute cloud higher above the topography approaching the radar (with >20 m/s and approximately constant echo power). The presented data set may be used as a benchmark for future experimental and numerical models that simulate the dynamics of pyroclastic density currents. Using the measured velocities of the collapsing column as input for numerical models will permit the validation of the models for the prediction of the true run-out distance, and thus provide valuable information for hazard assessments.Keywords:
Pyroclastic fall
Pyroclastic fall
Peléan eruption
Volcanic hazards
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Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are hot and fast ground-hugging mixtures of volcanic fragments and gases, which represent a major threat to people living near explosive volcanoes. Mechanisms causing the separation into the concentrated (the pyroclastic flow) and dilute (the pyroclastic surge) layers, as well as the mechanism causing their remarkably high mobility are still unclear. Here, we present a conceptual model based on field observations of lava dome collapses, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling that unifies these mechanisms. Our model shows that they are caused by the fall of fine volcanic particles onto steep, irregular topography. The ambient air entrapped during the fall both creates the pyroclastic surge through elutriation and induces high fluidity in the pyroclastic flow by increasing its pore pressure. Our conclusion reveals the importance of topography in the destructive capacity of PDCs.
Pyroclastic fall
Peléan eruption
Lava dome
Fluidization
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"Pyroclastic fallout" is the process of fallout of the particles, which is one of the most common processes in volcanology and is generally associated with all types of explosive eruptions. This chapter shows how the study and monitoring of pyroclastic fallout products play a key role in volcanic risk assessment. The pyroclastic fallout process is, in its simplest formulation, the sedimentation of pyroclasts through the atmosphere and their deposition on the Earth's surface. For fallout deposits, the subdivision into proximal, medial or distal deposits depends on the size of the eruption considered. During eruptive crises a sampling of the eruptive products is generally carried out in the hours following the beginning of each eruption. Geochemical and petrographic analysis of pyroclasts can constrain the initial conditions from the magma chamber to the surface via the conduit. Total grain size distribution represents the theoretical eruptive mixture injected into the atmosphere during volcanic explosive eruptions.
Pyroclastic fall
Peléan eruption
Volcanology
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Phreatomagmatic eruption
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Pyroclastic fall
Phreatomagmatic eruption
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This article deals with the mechanism of eruption and transportation of the pyroclastic material and the nature of the resultant deposits from the geological standpoint.In Japan, the method of tephrochronology is best applied to pyroclastic deposits of the Quaternary central volcanoes and those related to the Krakatoan calderas. Most of the rocks are andesitic in composition with subordinate amount of basalt and dacite.Three modes of volcanic eruption may be distinguished: 1) projection of pyroclastic materials which form pyroclastic fall deposits, 2) eruption of pyroclastic flows, and 3) outflow of lava flows or extrusion of dome and spine. Table 1 shows characteristic features of the deposits formed by the three modes of volcanic eruption.Tephra, as originally defined by Thorarinsson, signifies only the air-fall pyroclastic materials and its relation to pyroclastic flow is not clear. In this article, all the pyroclastic materials directly connected with volcanic eruptions, irrespective of their origin (i. e. essential, accessory, or accidental) and of their mode of emplacement, are included in the term tephra. The chronology using the deposits of pyroclastic flows are included in the tephrochronology.The small-scale vesiculation occurring at or close to the top of the magma column results in the so-called Strombolian and Vulcanian eruptions. Larger scale vesiculation with longer time duration leads to the Plinian eruption. The greatest vesiculation takes place within the magma reservoir resulting in the formation of a depression caldera. The larger the size of eruption column, the more effective the sorting of the erupted pyroclastic fragments. The larger and denser particles fall first and closer to the vent while the smaller and more vesicular fragments fall farther away. Consequently the deposits of pyroclastic falls are well sorted and exhibit pronounced lateral regular grading in texture and composition. This is in strong contrast with the poorly sorted character of pyroclastic flow deposits, in which all particles travel en masse in a state of turbulent flow.Welding of the deposit is not uncommon in the pyroclastic flow deposits while it is rare in pyroclastic fall deposits except those deposited near the vents of basaltic eruptions.To reconstruct past eruptions from volcanic deposits, it may be necessary to establish definite correlation between stratigraphic units by which volcanic deposits are grouped and time duration by which specific eruptive activity is grouped. A single eruptive cycle, the deposits of which represent such a time unit, is defined as a series of eruptive events limited by fairly long intervals of quiescence. Historic examples indicate that the duration of a single eruptive cycle ranges from a day to several years in most cases. The intervening periods are generally far longer than the duration of single eruptive cycle.From many examples of single eruptive cycles, a rule has been established: the degree of vesiculation of magma gradually decreases toward the end of the cycle. This is expressed in successive eruption of pyroclastic fall, pyroclastic flow, and lava flow from the same vent in case of felsic magma, and of pyroclastic fall and lava flow in case of mafic magma, which fact may indicate that the original magma column responsible for the eruptive cycle was more enriched in volatiles in the upper part than the lower.The close correlation between the recorded sequence of single eruptive cycles and the reultant beds of volcanic materials is described for a few examples. The beds produced by a single cycle of witnessed eruption conformably superpose each other and do not include a layer representing weathering break. It is stressed that such a group of beds of volcanic ejecta, volcanic deposits of a single eruptive cycle, should be taken into account as a stratigraphic unit when precise tephrochronology is undertaken.
Peléan eruption
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Strombolian eruption
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Dense-rock equivalent
Tephrochronology
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Silicic tuffs infilling an ancient submarine caldera, at Mineral King in California, show microscopic fabrics indicative of welding of glass shards and pumice at temperatures >500 degrees C. The occurrence indicates that subaqueous explosive eruption and emplacement of pyroclastic materials can occur without substantial admixture of the ambient water, which would cause chilling. Intracaldera progressive aggradation of pumice and ash from a thick, fast-moving pyroclastic flow occurred during a short-lived explosive eruption of approximately 26 cubic kilometers of magma in water >/=150 meters deep. The thickness, high velocity, and abundant fine material of the erupted gas-solids mixture prevented substantial incorporation of ambient water into the flow. Stripping of pyroclasts from upper surfaces of subaqueous pyroclastic flows in general, both above the vent and along any flow path, may be the main process giving rise to buoyant-convective subaqueous eruption columns and attendant fallout deposits.
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Pumice
Pyroclastic fall
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Pumice
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