Topographic reflection of the Socompa debris avalanche,Chile

One of the most remarkable features of the exceptionally well preserved 26 km³ Socompa debris avalanche deposit is the evidence for topographically driven secondary flow. The avalanche formed by sector collapse of Socompa stratovolcano and spread 40 km across a pre-existing basin, forming a sheet of ∼50 m average thickness. As the avalanche impinged on the western and northern margins of the basin, it was reflected back, forming a secondary flow that continued to travel 15 km down a gentle slope at an oblique angle to the primary flow, the front of the return wave being preserved frozen on the surface of the deposit as a prominent escarpment. Satellite images, aerial photos, digital elevation models and field observations were used to reconstruct the sequence of events during avalanche emplacement, and in particular during secondary flow. The avalanche sheet was divided into distinct terrane groups, each believed to have experienced a particular strain history during emplacement. Evidence for avalanche reflection includes clearly recognizable secondary slide masses, sub-parallel sets of curvilinear shear zones, headwall scarps separating the (primary) levée from the secondary terranes, extensional jigsaw breakup of surface lithologies during return flow, and cross cutting, or deflection, of primary flow fabrics by secondary terranes. Reflection off the basin margin took place in an essentially continuous manner, most major return motions being simultaneous with, or shortly following, primary flow. The secondary flow occurred as a wave that swept obliquely across the primary avalanche direction, remobilizing the primary material, which was first compressed, then stretched, as it passed over and rearward of the wave front. As return flow occurred, surface lithologies were rifted in a brittle manner, and the slabs were sheared pervasively as they glided and rotated back into the basin; some sank into the more fluidal interior of the avalanche, which drained out into a prominent distal lobe. Extension by factors of up to 1.8 took place during return flow. Secondary flow took place on slopes of only a few degrees, and the distal lobe flowed 8 km on a slope of ∼1°. Overall the avalanche is inferred to have slid into place as a fast-moving sheet of fragmental rock debris, with a leading edge and crust with near-normal friction and an almost frictionless, fluidal interior and base. The avalanche emplacement history deduced from field evidence is consistent with the results of a previously published numerical model of the Socompa avalanche.     

Runout of the Socompa volcanic debris avalanche, Chile: a mechanical explanation for low basal shear resistance

We propose a mechanical explanation for the low basal shear resistance (about 50 kPa) previously used to simulate successfully the complex, well-documented deposit morphology and lithological distribution produced by emplacement of the 25 km³ Socompa volcanic debris avalanche deposit, Chile. Stratigraphic evidence for intense basal comminution indicates the occurrence of dynamic rock fragmentation in the basal region of this large granular mass flow, and we show that such fragmentation generates a basal shear stress, retarding motion of the avalanche, that is a function of the flow thickness and intact rock strength. The topography of the Socompa deposit is realistically simulated using this fragmentation-derived resistance function. Basal fragmentation is also compatible with the evidence from the deposit that reflection of the avalanche from topography caused a secondary wave that interacted with the primary flow.     

Relationships between volcano gravitational spreading and magma intrusion

Volcano spreading, with its characteristic sector grabens, is caused by outward flow of weak substrata due to gravitational loading. This process is now known to affect many present-day edifices. A volcano intrusive complex can form an important component of an edifice and may induce deformation while it develops. Such intrusions are clearly observed in ancient eroded volcanoes, like the Scottish Palaeocene centres, or in geophysical studies such as in La Réunion, or inferred from large calderas, such as in Hawaii, the Canaries or Galapagos volcanoes. Volcano gravitational spreading and intrusive complex emplacement may act simultaneously within an edifice. We explore the coupling and interactions between these two processes. We use scaled analogue models, where an intrusive complex made of Golden syrup is emplaced within a granular model volcano based on a substratum of a ductile silicone layer overlain by a brittle granular layer. We model specifically the large intrusive complex growth and do not model small-scale and short-lived events, such as dyke intrusion, that develop above the intrusive complex. The models show that the intrusive complex develops in continual competition between upward bulging and lateral gravity spreading. The brittle substratum strongly controls the deformation style, the intrusion shape and also controls the balance between intrusive complex spreading and ductile layer-related gravitational spreading. In the models, intrusive complex emplacement and spreading produce similar structures to those formed during volcano gravitational spreading alone (i.e. grabens, folds, en échelon fractures). Therefore, simple analysis of fault geometry and fault kinetic indicators is not sufficient to distinguish gravitational from intrusive complex spreading, except when the intrusive complex is eccentric from the volcano centre. However, the displacement fields obtained for (1) a solely gravitational spreading volcano and for (2) a gravitational spreading volcano with a growing and spreading intrusive complex are very different. Consequently, deformation fields (like those obtained from geodetic monitoring) can give a strong indication of the presence of a spreading intrusive complex. We compare the models with field observations and geophysical evidence on active volcanoes such as La Réunion Island (Indian Ocean), Ometepe Island (Nicaragua) and eroded volcanic remnants such as Ardnamurchan (Scotland) and suggest that a combination between gravitational and intrusive complex spreading has been active.     

Landsat Thematic Mapper observations of debris avalanche deposits in the Central Andes

Remote sensing studies of the Central Andean volcanic province between 18°–27°S with the Landsat Thematic Mapper have revealed the presence of 28 previously undescribed breached volcanic cones and 14 major volcanic debris avalanche deposits, of which only 3 had previously been identified. Several of the debris avalanche deposits cover areas in excess of 100 km² and have volumes of the order of 10 km³. H/L ratios for the deposits have a median of 0.1 and a mean of 0.11, values similar to those determined for deposits described in other regions. Surface morphologies commonly include the hummocky topography of small hillocks and enclosed basins that is typical of avalanche deposits, but some examples exhibit smoother surfaces characterised by longitudinal grooves and ridges. These differences may result from the effects of flow confinement by topography or from variations in resistance to shearing in the materials involved. Breached composite cones and debris avalanche deposits tend to occur at right angles to regional tectonic elements, suggesting possible seismic involvement in triggering collapse and providing an additional consideration for assessment of areas at risk from collapse. The low denudation rate in the Central Andes, coupled with the predominance of viscous dacite lavas in volcanic edifices, produces unusually steep cones which may result in a higher incidence of volcano collapse than in other regions. A statistical survey of 578 composite volcanoes in the study area indicates that a majority of cones which achieve edifice heights between 2000–3000 m may undergo sector collapse.     

High velocity debris avalanche at Lastarria volcano in the north Chilean Andes

A pre-historic collapse of the southeast flank of Lastarria volcano ( 5700 m) in the north Chilean Andes (25° 10 S), produced a fluidized volcanic debris avalanche whose morphology and surface structures are exceptionally well preserved. The avalanche travelled to the east-south-east, covering an area of 9.3 km², and came to rest after climbing and over-riding a 125 m high older scoria cone. The 0.091 km³ avalanche has an apparent coefficient of friction (H/L) of 0.15 and an excessive travel distance index (Le) of 5.1 km, indicating high emplacement velocity, perhaps of the order of 80 m s^–1. An important cause of the high mobility may have been the predominance of low-density, poorly cohesive scoriaceous and pumiceous layers in the source region. The flow may have had properties similar to those of a small ignimbrite.     

A model for the relation between spreading rate and oblique spreading

Atwater and Macdonald have suggested that oblique spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges which spread slowly (half rate less than 3 cm/yr), while the spreading is perpendicular at faster-spreading ridges. This paper explores this relation using the ratio of the power dissipated at ridges to that on transform faults to find the angle of oblique spreading (θ). The dependence of the energy dissipation rate on spreading rate is included in simple models of a ridge and transform. These arguments suggest that θ is related to the half spreading rate approximately by sin θ ～ V^?1.     

Chilling statistics indicate an ocean-floor spreading origin for the Troodos complex,Cyprus

Different models for the generation of ophiolite complexes lead to differing predictions of the nature, extent and consistency of one way chilling (see text) of dykes in the sheeted unit of such complexes. Measurements of the degree of one way chilling were made on a number of transects of the Diabase (sheeted) unit of the Troodos complex. Statistical analysis of the results strongly favours an ocean-floor spreading model over the other models considered for the generation of the complex, with the spreading axis lying to the west of the complex in its present orientation. In addition, the analysis shows that the stratigraphically central portion of the sheeted unit must be composed entirely of dykes. This method can be used to determine the origin of other ophiolite complexes that have sheeted dyke units.     

Mixed-magma pyroclastic surge deposits associated with debris avalanche deposits at Colima volcanoes,Mexico

The transition between the terminal cones and the ancestral edifices of Nevado de Colima and Fuego de Colima volcanoes is marked by the deposits of gigantic volcanic debris avalanches of the Mount St. Helens (MSH) or Bezymianny type. Unusual mafic juvenile fragments and cauliflower bombs as well as juvenile fragments of mixed and more evolved composition are abundant in dune-bedded pyroclastic-surge deposits directly associated with these catastrophic events at both volcanoes. At Nevado, these mafic juvenile fragments represent the most primitive magma ever erupted by the volcano (SiO₂52.50%). The lavas directly preceding and following the debris-avalanche event are silicic andesites (SiO₂59%). At Fuego these juvenile fregments have 56% SiO₂. The lavas from the upper parts of the caldera wall are dacites (65% SiO₂), whereas the terminal cone is composed of andesites (57% to 62% SiO₂). At Nevado, petrologic evidence for interaction of mafic magma with andesitic or dacitic magma in a high-level magma chamber, just before the eruption of pyroclastic surge deposits, consists of: (1) banded juvenile bombs of intermediate composition; (2) the range of composition of these bombs from SiO₂52% to 58%; (3) the presence of highly magnesian olivine with reaction rims; (4) inverse zoning in clinopyroxene with strong Mg enrichment towards the rim; (5) resorption of plagioclase; and (6) significant compositional heterogeneity in the vitric phase. Volcanic debris-avalanche events at Nevado and Fuego de Colima may thus correspond with major breaks in the petrological evolution of the volcanoes and the start of a new magmatic cycle. Injection of mafic magma into the presently perched viscous surface dome of the active Fuego cone, as occurred in 1818 and 1913, could enhance the likelihood of southward collapse of the flank of an already unstable edifice, and it must be considered in future hazard assessment of this active volcano. Risk to life and property for the entire Colima region associated with such catastrophic phenomena would be immeasurably greater in comparison with hazards related to the last explosive outburst in 1913, which resulted in emplacement of pyroclastic flows over uninhabited areas of the upper flanks of the volcano.     

Paleomagnetic estimate of the emplacement temperature of the long-runout Nevado de Colima volcanic debris avalanche deposit, Mexico

Stoopes and Sheridan have mapped a volcanic debris avalanche of Nevado de Colima which has an exceptionally long runout (120 km) and low fall-height to length ratio (H/L = 0.04). We present paleomagnetic results from this volcanic debris avalanche deposit which provide evidence that this avalanche was emplaced at elevated temperatures. The majority of samples, collected from lithic clasts in the volcanic debris avalanche deposit, exhibit two-component remanent magnetizations with a low-temperature component (25–350°C) which is well grouped about the geomagnetic field direction at Colima and a high-temperature component (350–580°C) which is randomly oriented. Although the temperature of the deposit most likely varied with distance from the volcanic source and the thickness of the deposit, our results suggest an emplacement temperature of approximately 350°C at intermediate distances (18–26 km) from the source. In order for the rock clasts (20–40 cm diameter) to be heated to these temperatures, the avalanche was most likely the results of a magmatic, Bezymianny-type eruption. The mixing of hot, juvenile gases with the clasts provides an explanation for the high degree of fluidization of this material, as evidenced by the long runout of this avalanche deposit.     

Volcanic dry avalanche deposits — Identification and comparison with nonvolcanic debris stream deposits

A “volcanic dry avalanche deposit” is defined as a volcaniclastic deposit formed as a result of a large-scale sector collapse of a volcanic cone associated with some form of volcanic activity. Avalanche transport occurred in response to the gravitational field, in a manner similar to the transport of nonvolcanic debris streams (e.g. Hsü, 1975). Such deposits are characterized by megablock structure — deformed and fractured large blocks up to several hundreds meters in diameter. A megablock preserves original layering, intrusive contacts or weathered surfaces of the source volcanic edifice. Surface topography of the deposit is characterised with hummocky relief. Ratios of fell height to travel distance for volcanic dry avalanche deposits are between 0.18 and 0.06. This range is similar but smaller than the value of 0.58 to 0.08 for nonvolcanic debris stream deposit. This similarity suggests similar transportation mechanisms. Excessive travel distances as defined by Hsü (1975), calculated for volcanic dry avalanche deposits, give values larger than for debris stream deposits of the same volume. The difference is explained by lower rigidity of the collapsing mass due to the existence of soft pyroclastic layers, alteration around the vent, development of fractures owing to new cryptodome intrusion, and boiling of supercritical fluid contained within the collapsed mass.     

The Chimborazo sector collapse and debris avalanche: Deposit characteristics as evidence of emplacement mechanisms

Chimborazo is a Late Pleistocene to Holocene stratovolcano located at the southwest end of the main Ecuadorian volcanic arc. It experienced a large sector collapse and debris avalanche (DA) of the initial edifice (CH-I). This left a 4 km wide scar, removing 8.0 ± 0.5 km³ of the edifice. The debris avalanche deposit (DAD) is abundantly exposed throughout the Riobamba Basin to the Río Chambo, more than 35 km southeast of the volcano. The DAD averages a thickness of 40 m, covers about 280 km², and has a volume of > 11 km³. Two main DAD facies are recognized: block and mixed facies. The block facies is derived predominantly from edifice lava and forms > 80 vol.% of the DAD, with a probable volume increase of 15–25 vol.%. The mixed facies was essentially created by mixing brecciated edifice rock with substratum and is found mainly in distal and marginal areas. The DAD has clear surface ridges and hummocks, and internal structures such as jigsaw cracks, injections, and shear-zone features are widespread. Structures such as stretched blocks along the base contact indicate high basal shear. Substratum incorporation is directly observed at the base and is inferred from the presence of substratum-derived material in the DAD body. Based on the facies and structural interpretation, we propose an emplacement model of a lava-rich avalanche strongly cataclased before and/or during failure initiation. The flow mobilises and incorporates significant substrata (10–14 vol.%) while developing a fine lubricating basal layer. The substrata-dominated mixed facies is transported to the DAD interior and top in dykes invading previously-formed fractures.     

Distinguishing volcanic debris avalanche deposits from their reworked products: the Perrier sequence (French Massif Central)

Debris avalanches associated with volcanic sector collapse are usually high-volume high-mobility phenomena. Debris avalanche deposit remobilisation by cohesive debris flows and landslides is common, so they can share textural characteristics such as hummocks and jigsaw cracks. Distinguishing original deposits from reworked products is critical for geological understanding and hazard assessment because of their different origin, frequency and environmental impact. We present a methodology based on field evidence to differentiate such epiclastic breccias. Basal contact mapping constrained by accurate altitude and location data allows the reconstruction of deposit stratigraphy and geometry. Lithological analysis helps to distinguish the different units. Incorporation structures, kinematic indicators and component mingling textures are used to characterise erosion and transport mechanisms. We apply this method to the enigmatic sequence at Perrier (French Massif Central), where four units (U1–U4) have been interpreted either as debris flow or debris avalanche deposits. The sequence results from activity on the Monts Dore Volcano about 2 Ma ago. The epiclastic units are matrix supported with an almost flat top. U2 and U3 have clear debris flow deposit affinities such as rounded clasts and intact blocks (no jigsaw cracks). U1 and U4 have jigsaw cracked blocks with matrix injection and stretched sediment blocks. U1 lacks large blocks (>10 m wide) and has a homogenous matrix with an upward increase of trapped air vesicle content and size. This unit is interpreted as a cohesive debris flow deposit spawned from a debris avalanche upstream. In contrast, U4 has large mega-blocks (up to 40 m wide), sharp contacts between mixed facies zones with different colours and numerous jigsaw fit blocks (open jigsaw cracks filled by monogenic intra-clast matrix). Mega-blocks are concentrated near the deposit base and are spatially associated with major substratum erosion. This deposit has a debris avalanche distal facies with local debris flow affinities due to partial water saturation. We also identify two landslide deposits (L1 and L2) resulting from recent reworking that has produced a similar facies to U1 and U4. These are distinguishable from the original deposits, as they contain blocks of mixed U1/U4 facies, a distinctly less consolidated and more porous matrix and a fresh hummocky topography. This work shows how to differentiate epiclastic deposits with similar characteristics, but different origins. In doing so, we improve understanding of present and past instability of the Monts Dore and identify present landslide hazards at Perrier.     

A nonpendular gravitational variometer

A conceptual scheme and the theory of a new variometer (without a torsion system) with four precision two-axis tiltmeters are presented. It is shown that the variometer makes it possible to measure all 6 independent components of a second derivative tensor of gravitational potential with an error of about ±1 E and at the same time to increase the efficiency of survey work and also to measure all 10 independent components of a third derivative tensor of the gravitational potential.     

Caldera formation at Volcán Colima, Mexico, by a large large holocene volcanic debris avalanche

About 4,300 years ago, 10 km³ of the upper cone of ancestral Volcán Colima collapsed to the southwest leaving a horseshoe-shaped caldera 4 km in diameter. The collapse produced a massive volcanic debris avalanche deposit covering over 1550 km² on the southern flanks of the volcano and extending at least 70 km from the former summit. The avalanche followed a steep topographic gradient unobstructed by barriers, resulting in an unusually high area/volume ratio for the Colima deposit. The apparent coefficient of friction (fall height/distance traveled) for the Colima avalanche is 0.06, a low value similar to those of other large-volume deposits. The debris avalanche deposit contains 40–75% angular volcanic clasts from the ancestral cone, a small proportion of vesicular blocks that may be juvenile, and in distal exposures, rare carbonate clasts plucked from the underlying surface by the moving avalanche. Clasts range in size to over 20 m in diameter and are brecciated to different degrees, pulverized, and surrounded by a rock-flour matrix. The upper surface of the deposit shows prominent hummocky topography with closed depressions and surface boulders. A thick, coarse-grained, compositionally zoned scoria-fall layer on the upper northeastern slope of the volcano may have erupted at the time of collapse. A fine-grained surge layer is present beneath the avalanche deposit at one locality, apparently representing an initial blast event. Most of the missing volume of the ancestral volcano has since been restored at an average rate of 0.002 km³/yr through repeated eruptions from the post-caldera cone. As a result, the southern slope of Volcán Colima may again be susceptible to collapse. Over 200,000 people are now living on primary or secondary deposits of the debris avalanche, and a repetition of this event would constitute a volcanic disaster of great magnitude.Ancestral Volcán Colima grew on the southern, trenchward flank of the earlier and larger volcano Nevado de Colima. Trenchward collapse was favored by the buttressing effect of Nevado, the rapid elevation drop to the south, and the intrusion of magma into the southern flank of the ancestral volcano. Other such trenchward-younging, paired volcanoes are known from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, and Japan. The trenchward slopes of the younger cones are common sites for cone collapse to form avalanche deposits, as occurred at Colima and Popocatepetl in Mexico and at San Pedro Volcano in Chile.     

Simulation of scree‐slope dynamics: investigating the distribution of debris avalanche events in an idealized two‐dimensional model

We present a two‐dimensional model of the development of scree slopes using the discrete‐element method. We concentrate on the dynamics of the accumulating debris at the cliff foot rather than on the failure modes of the cliff‐face or shape of the underlying rock surface. The evolution of this unconsolidated material is intermittent and systematically changing over time, with an early high disturbance regime, dominated by a characteristic event size (where 65% of particles in the debris are in motion to some extent), replaced at later times by many shallow slides interspersed with infrequent large events that involve motion through almost the full scree depth. These large slides lead to a stratigraphy in which the layers of material are stretched almost horizontal near the base of the slope. The scree surface thus shows a gradient in age with most recent rock‐fall close to the cliff and the oldest rock‐fall debris outcropping at the foot. The final surface slope tends to show little curvature, and the final mean slope is well correlated with the angle of internal friction of the particles, although the change is very small over a wide range of friction angles [final slope (in degrees relative to horizontal) ~ 0.043 × internal friction angle + 17.49, with a correlation coefficient of 0.89, p‐value 0.0001]. Some weak size‐segregation of the debris is found, but this seems to have little to do with individual particles bounding down the slope. The shape of the rock core agrees largely with the analytic forms given by Fisher–Lehmann and Bakker–Le Heux expressions, but the original simple Fisher quadratic can give the best fit. Overall the evolution shows a remarkable insensitivity to the model parameters, suggesting that the controls on dry scree‐slope evolution are primarily geometric in character. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A depth-averaged two-phase model for debris flows over fixed beds

A depth-averaged two-phase model is proposed for debris flows over fixed beds, explicitly incorporating interphase and particle-particle interactions, fluid and solid fluctuations and multi grain sizes. A first-order model based on the kinetic theory of granular flows is employed to determine the stresses due to solid fluctuations, while the turbulent kinetic energy - dissipation rate model is used to determine the stresses from fluid fluctuations. A well-balanced numerical algorithm is applied to solve the governing equations. The present model is benchmarked against USGS experimental debris flows over fixed beds. Incorporating the stresses due to fluid and solid fluctuations and properly estimating the bed shear stresses are shown to be crucial for reproducing the debris flows. Longitudinal particle segregation is resolved, demonstrating coarser sediments around the fronts and finer grains trailing the head. Based on extended modeling exercises, debris flow efficiency is shown to increase with initial volume, which is underpinned by observed datasets.     

A chart for the computation of the gravitational attraction of a right rectangular prism

Summary The gravity effect of a right rectangular prism is calculated by a graphical procedure. The basis of the calculation is an algorithm for the linear combination of readings taken from a chart which has as ordinates and abscissas the body coordinates of the prism normalized with respect to the depth to the top and bottom surfaces.Gravity Division, Earth Physics Branch, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Canada. Contribution No. 425.     

A mass movement origin for cirques

The glacial process of cirque initiation, whereby small initial hillslope hollows grow by nivation until snow can form glacier ice, and ice motion then enlarges the hollow to a fully developed cirque, appears to have difficulty explaining the creation of large cirques in the time available during Quaternary glaciations, at the rates at which glaciers are reported to erode rock, and in rapidly uplifting mountain ranges. It also has difficulty explaining the striking proliferation of cirques in Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand, an area of harder rock and less glaciation than the nearby cirque‐poor area of South Westland. Here we show that cirques can be initiated as large, deep‐seated, often coseismic rock slope failure source area depressions in which snow may accumulate to form cirque glaciers, which can then remove detritus from, smooth, and enlarge the cirque. We present an example of a classically shaped cirque that has never held a glacier. We show that many similarities between the locations, sizes and shapes of rock slope failure source area depressions and cirques are understandable on this basis, as is the occurrence of cirques in presently aseismic intraplate locations and their relative paucity in actively uplifting ranges. The extent to which cirques may be of mass movement origin has implications for their value as palaeoclimatic indicators. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.