The changing morphology of an open lava channel on Mt. Etna |
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Authors: | John E Bailey Andrew J L Harris Jonathan Dehn Sonia Calvari Scott K Rowland |
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Institution: | (1) Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA;(2) Alaska Volcano Observatory, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA;(3) Instituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Sezione di Catania, Piazza Roma 2, 95123 Catania, Italy |
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Abstract: | An open channel lava flow on Mt. Etna (Sicily) was observed during May 30–31, 2001. Data collected using a forward looking
infrared (FLIR) thermal camera and a Minolta-Land Cyclops 300 thermal infrared thermometer showed that the bulk volume flux
of lava flowing in the channel varied greatly over time. Cyclic changes in the channel's volumetric flow rate occurred over
several hours, with cycle durations of 113–190 min, and discharges peaking at 0.7 m3 s−1 and waning to 0.1 m3 s−1. Each cycle was characterized by a relatively short, high-volume flux phase during which a pulse of lava, with a well-defined
flow front, would propagate down-channel, followed by a period of waning flow during which volume flux lowered. Pulses involved
lava moving at relatively high velocities (up to 0.29 m s−1) and were related to some change in the flow conditions occurring up-channel, possibly at the vent. They implied either a
change in the dense rock effusion rate at the source vent and/or cyclic-variation in the vesicle content of the lava changing
its bulk volume flux. Pulses would generally overspill the channel to emplace pāhoehoe overflows. During periods of waning
flow, velocities fell to 0.05 m s–1. Blockages forming during such phases caused lava to back up. Occasionally backup resulted in overflows of slow moving ‘a‘ā
that would advance a few tens of meters down the levee flank. Compound levees were thus a symptom of unsteady flow, where
overflow levees were emplaced as relatively fast moving pāhoehoe sheets during pulses, and as slow-moving ‘a‘ā units during
backup. Small, localized fluctuations in channel volume flux also occurred on timescales of minutes. Volumes of lava backed
up behind blockages that formed at constrictions in the channel. Blockage collapse and/or enhanced flow under/around the blockage
would then feed short-lived, wave-like, down-channel surges. Real fluctuations in channel volume flux, due to pulses and surges,
can lead to significant errors in effusion rate calculations.
Editorial responsibility: A. Woods |
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Keywords: | Etna FLIR Lava channel ‘ a‘ ā Thermal Unsteady flow Morphology |
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