Detecting, Modelling and Responding to Effusive Eruptions
CONTAINS OPEN ACCESS
For effusive volcanoes in resource-poor regions, there is a pressing need for a crisis response-chain bridging the global scientific community to allow provision of standard products for timely humanitarian response. As a first step in attaining this need, this Special Publication provides a complete directory of current operational capabilities for monitoring effusive eruptions. This volume also reviews the state-of-the-art in terms of satellite-based volcano hot-spot tracking and lava-flow simulation. These capabilities are demonstrated using case studies taken from well-known effusive events that have occurred worldwide over the last two decades at volcanoes such as Piton de la Fournaise, Etna, Stromboli and Kilauea. We also provide case-type response models implemented at the same volcanoes, as well as the results of a community-wide drill used to test a fully-integrated response focused on an operational hazard-GIS. Finally, the objectives and recommendations of the ‘Risk Evaluation, Detection and Simulation during Effusive Eruption Disasters’ working group are laid out in a statement of community needs by its members.
VolcFlow capabilities and potential development for the simulation of lava flows
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Published:January 01, 2016
Abstract
VolcFlow is a finite-difference Eulerian code based on the depth-averaged approach and developed for the simulation of isothermal geophysical flows. Its capability for reproducing lava flows is tested here for the first time. The field example chosen is the 2010 lava flow of Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador), the emplacement of which is tracked by projecting thermal images onto a georeferenced digital topography. Results show that, at least for this case study, the isothermal approach of VolcFlow is able to simulate the velocity of the lava through time, as well as the extent of the solidified lava. However, the good fit between the modelled and the natural flow may be explained by the short emplacement time (c. 20 h) of a thick lava (c. 5 m), which could limit the influence of cooling on the flow dynamics, thus favouring the use of an isothermal rheology.
- Andes
- applications
- computer programs
- cooling
- data processing
- digital data
- digital terrain models
- Ecuador
- emplacement
- equations
- flow mechanism
- geologic hazards
- geophysical methods
- geophysical surveys
- infrared methods
- isotherms
- lava flows
- mathematical methods
- natural hazards
- numerical models
- photogrammetry
- rheology
- simulation
- South America
- statistical analysis
- surveys
- thermal emission
- topography
- Tungurahua
- volcanology
- VolcFlow
- depth-averaged method