Abstract
THE aggregation of fine ash particles has an important role in controlling the deposition of widely dispersed volcanic ash. Here we report measurements of electrical charge on ash particles falling from the eruption columns of Sakurajima volcano in Japan. Absolute charge to mass (q/m) ratios ranged from +3 to +6x10-4C kg-1 and from -2 to -5 x 10-4 C kg-1. The average q/m ratio ranged from +2 to +5x10-5 C kg-1. The generation of electrostatic charge may result from triboelectric effects in the plume, or from fracture-induced charging. Charge on ash particles provides attractive forces large enough to cause the aggregation of smaller particles and the adhesion of dust to larger particles. Particle aggregation may explain the polymodal grain-size distributions commonly found in ash-fall deposits, and the proximal deposition of fine ash, as well as the distal deposition of coarse particles in these deposits. Our data suggest that electrostatic effects greatly influence the dispersal and deposition of ash during explosive volcanic eruptions.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Moore, J. B. & Peck, D. L. J. Geol. 70, 182–193 (1962).
Hobbs, P. V., Radke, L. F., Eltgroth, M. W. & Hegg, D. A. Science 211, 816–818 (1981).
Sorem, R. K. J. Volcanol. geotherm. Res. 13, 63–71 (1982).
Carey, S. N. & Sigurdsson, H. J. geophys. Res. 87, 7061–7072 (1982).
Armienti, P., Macedonio, G. & Pareschi, M. T. J. geophys Res. 93, 6463–6476 (1988).
Slaughter, M. & Hamil, M. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 81, 961–968 (1970).
Self, S. & Sparks, R. S. J. S. Bull. Volcanol. 41, 196–212 (1978).
Brazier, S., Davis, A. N., Sigurdsson, H. & Sparks, R. S. J. S. J. Volcanol. geotherm. Res. 14, 335–359 (1982).
Brazier, S., Sparks, R. S. J. S., Carey, S. N., Sigurdsson, H. & Westgate, J. A. Nature 310, 115–119 (1983).
Walker, G. P. L. Geol. Rundsch. 62, 431 (1973).
Walker, G. P. L. & Croasdale, R. Bull. volcanol. 35, 303–317 (1972).
Rampino, M. R. & Self, S. Quat. Res. 18, 127–143 (1982).
Varekamp, J. C., Luhr, J. F. & Prestegaard, K. L. J. Volcanol. geotherm. Res. 23, 39–68 (1984).
Mercalli, G. l Vulcani Attivi delta Terra. 421 (Ulrico Hoepli, Milan, 1907).
Blythe, A. R. & Reddish, W. Inst. Phys. Conf. Ser. 48, 107–124 (1979).
Kikuchi, K. & Endoh, T. J. met. Soc. Japan 60, 548–561 (1982).
Enomoto, Y. & Hashimoto, H. Nature 346, 641–643 (1990).
Donaldson, E. E., Dickinson, J. T. & Bhattacharya, S. K. J. Adhesion 25, 281–302 (1988).
Mathison, J. P., Langford, S. C. & Dickinson, J. T. J. appl. Phys. 65, 1923–1928 (1989).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gilbert, J., Lane, S., Sparks, R. et al. Charge measurements on particle fallout from a volcanic plume. Nature 349, 598–600 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/349598a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/349598a0
This article is cited by
-
Insights into the sticking probability of volcanic ash particles from laboratory experiments
Scientific Reports (2023)
-
In-conduit capture of sub-micron volcanic ash particles via turbophoresis and sintering
Nature Communications (2022)
-
Aerodynamic characteristics and genesis of aggregates at Sakurajima Volcano, Japan
Scientific Reports (2022)
-
The fate of volcanic ash: premature or delayed sedimentation?
Nature Communications (2021)
-
Sedimentation process of ashfall during a Vulcanian eruption as revealed by high-temporal-resolution grain size analysis and high-speed camera imaging
Progress in Earth and Planetary Science (2020)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.