Fluid-dynamics of the 1997 Boxing Day volcanic blast on Montserrat, W.I.

Directed volcanic blasts are powerful explosions with a significant laterally¬directed component, which can generate devastating, high-energy pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). Such blasts are an important class of eruptive phenomena, but quantified understanding of their dynamics and effects is still incomplete. Here we use 2D and 3D multiparticle thermofluid dynamic flow codes to examine a powerful volcanic blast that occurred on Montserrat in December 1997. Based on the simulations, we divide the blast into three phases; an initial burst phase lasts roughly 5 s and involves rapid expansion of the gas-pyroclast mixture, a gravitational collapse phase which occurs when the erupted material fails to mix with sufficient air to form a buoyant column and thus collapses asymmetrically, and a PDC phase which is dominated by motion parallel to the ground surface and is influenced by topography. We vary key input parameters such as total gas energy and total solid mass to understand their influence on simulations, and compare the simulations with independent field observations of damage and deposits, demonstrating that the models generally capture important large-scale features of the natural phenomenon. We also examine the 2D and 3D model results to estimate the flow Mach number and conclude that the range of damage sustained at villages on Montserrat can be reasonably explained by the spatial and temporal distribution of the dynamic pressure associated with subsonic PDCs

Understanding cyclic seismicity and ground deformation patterns at volcanoes: intriguing lessons from Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador

Cyclic seismicity and ground deformation patterns are observed on many volcanoes worldwide where seismic swarms and the tilt of the volcanic flanks provide sensitive tools to assess the state of volcanic activity. Ground deformation at active volcanoes is often interpreted as pressure changes in a magmatic reservoir, and tilt is simply translated accordingly into inflation and deflation of such a reservoir. Tilt data recorded by an instrument in the summit area of Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador, however, show an intriguing and unexpected behaviour on several occasions: prior to a Vulcanian explosion when a pressurisation of the system would be expected, the tilt signal declines significantly, hence indicating depressurisation. At the same time, seismicity increases drastically. Envisaging that such a pattern could carry the potential to forecast Vulcanian explosions on Tungurahua, we use numerical modelling and reproduce the observed tilt patterns in both space and time. We demonstrate that the tilt signal can be more easily explained as caused by shear stress due to viscous flow resistance, rather than by pressurization of the magmatic plumbing system. In general, our numerical models prove that if magma shear viscosity and ascent rate are high enough, the resulting shear stress is sufficient to generate a tilt signal as observed on Tungurahua. Furthermore, we address the interdependence of tilt and seismicity through shear stress partitioning and suggest that a joint interpretation of tilt and seismicity can shed new light on the eruption potential of silicic volcanoes

Databases in Volcanology

International audienceThe varied and episodic nature of volcanic eruptions requires numerous and diverse observations for study and successful forecasting. Volcanological databases are important resources for the community because they enable investigation of questions that are not answerable by single datasets. Large-scale or synoptic studies are increasingly accessible through the use of machine learning applied to those often complex databases. In this paper, we describe the existing volcanological database landscape, the complexity of linking between various resources, the challenges of data standardization, and the challenges associated with long-term growth and sustainability of databases. Many challenges to database interoperability can be addressed through use of global unique identifiers and standardized data formats when populating databases and when publishing scientific studies

Fluid dynamics of the 1997 Boxing Day volcanic blast on Montserrat, West Indies

Directed volcanic blasts are powerful explosions with a significant laterally directed component, which can generate devastating, high-energy pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). Such blasts are an important class of eruptive phenomena, but quantified understanding of their dynamics and effects is still incomplete. Here we use 2-D and 3-D multiparticle thermofluid dynamic flow codes to examine a powerful volcanic blast that occurred on Montserrat in December 1997. On the basis of the simulations, we divide the blast into three phases: an initial burst phase that lasts roughly 5 s and involves rapid expansion of the gas-pyroclast mixture, a gravitational collapse phase that occurs when the erupted material fails to mix with sufficient air to form a buoyant column and thus collapses asymmetrically, and a PDC phase that is dominated by motion parallel to the ground surface and is influenced by topography. We vary key input parameters such as total gas energy and total solid mass to understand their influence on simulations, and we compare the simulations with independent field observations of damage and deposits, demonstrating that the models generally capture important large-scale features of the natural phenomenon. We also examine the 2-D and 3-D model results to estimate the flow Mach number and conclude that the range of damage sustained at villages on Montserrat can be reasonably explained by the spatial and temporal distribution of the dynamic pressure associated with subsonic PDCs

Fluid dynamics of the 1997 Boxing Day volcanic blast on Montserrat, West Indies

Directed volcanic blasts are powerful explosions with a significant laterally directed component, which can generate devastating, high-energy pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). Such blasts are an important class of eruptive phenomena, but quantified understanding of their dynamics and effects is still incomplete. Here we use 2-D and 3-D multiparticle thermofluid dynamic flow codes to examine a powerful volcanic blast that occurred on Montserrat in December 1997. On the basis of the simulations, we divide the blast into three phases: an initial burst phase that lasts roughly 5 s and involves rapid expansion of the gas-pyroclast mixture, a gravitational collapse phase that occurs when the erupted material fails to mix with sufficient air to form a buoyant column and thus collapses asymmetrically, and a PDC phase that is dominated by motion parallel to the ground surface and is influenced by topography. We vary key input parameters such as total gas energy and total solid mass to understand their influence on simulations, and we compare the simulations with independent field observations of damage and deposits, demonstrating that the models generally capture important large-scale features of the natural phenomenon. We also examine the 2-D and 3-D model results to estimate the flow Mach number and conclude that the range of damage sustained at villages on Montserrat can be reasonably explained by the spatial and temporal distribution of the dynamic pressure associated with subsonic PDCs.PublishedB032113.6. Fisica del vulcanismoJCR Journalreserve

Fluid-dynamics of the 1997 Boxing Day volcanic blast on Montserrat, W.I.

Directed volcanic blasts are powerful explosions with a significant laterally¬directed component, which can generate devastating, high-energy pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). Such blasts are an important class of eruptive phenomena, but quantified understanding of their dynamics and effects is still incomplete. Here we use 2D and 3D multiparticle thermofluid dynamic flow codes to examine a powerful volcanic blast that occurred on Montserrat in December 1997. Based on the simulations, we divide the blast into three phases; an initial burst phase lasts roughly 5 s and involves rapid expansion of the gas-pyroclast mixture, a gravitational collapse phase which occurs when the erupted material fails to mix with sufficient air to form a buoyant column and thus collapses asymmetrically, and a PDC phase which is dominated by motion parallel to the ground surface and is influenced by topography. We vary key input parameters such as total gas energy and total solid mass to understand their influence on simulations, and compare the simulations with independent field observations of damage and deposits, demonstrating that the models generally capture important large-scale features of the natural phenomenon. We also examine the 2D and 3D model results to estimate the flow Mach number and conclude that the range of damage sustained at villages on Montserrat can be reasonably explained by the spatial and temporal distribution of the dynamic pressure associated with subsonic PDCs.In press3.6. Fisica del vulcanismoJCR Journalope

Multiphase-flow numerical modeling of the 18 May 1980 lateral blast at Mount St. Helens, USA

Volcanic lateral blasts are among the most spectacular and devastating of natural phenomena, but their dynamics are still poorly understood. Here we investigate the best documented and most controversial blast at Mount St. Helens (Washington State, United States), on 18 May 1980. By means of three-dimensional multiphase numerical simulations we demonstrate that the blast front propagation, final runout, and damage can be explained by the emplacement of an unsteady, stratified pyroclastic density current, controlled by gravity and terrain morphology. Such an interpretation is quantitatively supported by large-scale observations at Mount St. Helens and will influence the definition and predictive mapping of hazards on blast-dangerous volcanoes worldwide

Analysis and forward modeling of seismic anisotropy during the ongoing eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, 1996-2007

Volcanic stress field analysis has been lauded as a potentially powerful tool for midterm to long-term eruption forecasting. However, because tectonic processes can also produce localized stress field reorientations, evidence for a direct causal link between observed stress field reorientations and magmatic activity is of critical importance. In this study, we show that local stress field reorientations preceding changes in volcanic activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, are observable using two independent measures of crustal stress (local (volcano-tectonic) earthquake fault plane solutions and measurements of shear wave splitting in regional earthquakes). We further demonstrate that the local stress field orientation during a 6 month period preceding the onset of eruptive activity at Soufrière Hills in 1999 is highly localized and spatiotemporally variable and that the spatial pattern of precursory local stress orientations is consistent with numerically modeled patterns of stress resulting from pressurization of a vertical dike. These observations provide compelling evidence for a direct causal link between pressurization of midlevel volcanic conduit systems by ascending magma and precursory local stress field reorientations and demonstrate that seismological analysis can be used to detect subtle local changes in stress that herald eruptive activity

Active source seismic experiment peers under Soufrière Hills volcano

Characterizing internal structures of active volcanoes remains an enigmatic issue in geosciences. Yet studies of such structures can greatly improve hazard assessments, helping scientists to better monitor seismic signatures, geodetic deformation, and gas emissions, data that can be used to improve models and forecasts of future eruptions. Several passive seismic tomography experiments—which use travel times of seismic waves from natural earthquakes to image underground structures—have been conducted at active volcanoes (Hawaii's Kilauea, Washington's Mount St. Helens, Italy's Etna, and Japan's Unzen), but an inhomogeneous distribution of earthquakes compromises resolution. Further, if volcanic earthquakes are dominantly shallow at a given location, passive methods are limited to studying only shallow features. Thus, active source experiments—where seismic waves from the explosion of deliberately set charges are used to image below the surface—hold great potential to illuminate structures not readily seen through passive measures

Explosion dynamics from strainmeter and microbarometer observations, Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat: 2008-2009

International audienceVulcanian explosions with plumes to 12 km occurred at Soufrière Hills volcano (SHV) between July 2008 and January 2009. We report strainmeter and barometric data, featuring quasi-linear strain changes that correlate with explosive evacuation of the conduit at rates of ∼0.9-2 × 107 kg s-1. July and January explosion-generated strains were similar, ∼20 nanostrain at ∼5 km, and interpreted as contractions of a quasi-cylindrical conduit, with release of magmastatic pressure, and exsolution-generated overpressure of order 10 MPa. The 3 December 2008 event was distinctive with larger signals (∼140-200 nanostrain at 5-6 km) indicating that a rapid pressurization preceded and triggered the explosion. Modeling suggests a dike with ENE trend, implying that feeder dikes at SHV had diverse attitudes at different times during the eruption. All explosions were associated with acoustic pulses and remarkable atmospheric gravity waves