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Transient dynamics of vulcanian explosions and column collapse

Nature volume 415, pages 897–901 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Several analytical and numerical eruption models have provided insight into volcanic eruption behaviour1,2,3,4,5, but most address plinian-type eruptions where vent conditions are quasi-steady. Only a few studies have explored the physics of short-duration vulcanian explosions6,7,8,9 with unsteady vent conditions and blast events10,11. Here we present a technique that links unsteady vent flux of vulcanian explosions to the resulting dispersal of volcanic ejecta, using a numerical, axisymmetric model with multiple particle sizes. We use observational data from well documented explosions in 1997 at the Soufrière Hills volcano in Montserrat, West Indies, to constrain pre-eruptive subsurface initial conditions and to compare with our simulation results. The resulting simulations duplicate many features of the observed explosions, showing transitional behaviour where mass is divided between a buoyant plume and hazardous radial pyroclastic currents fed by a collapsing fountain12. We find that leakage of volcanic gas from the conduit through surrounding rocks over a short period (of the order of 10 hours) or retarded exsolution can dictate the style of explosion. Our simulations also reveal the internal plume dynamics and particle-size segregation mechanisms that may occur in such eruptions.

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Figure 1: Examples of overhang and boil-over styles of vulcanian fountain collapse.
Figure 2: Particle concentration and trajectories of simulated vulcanian explosion (SimB).
Figure 3: Particle concentrations and trajectories of simulated vulcanian explosions (SimA and SimC).
Figure 4: Comparison of real and simulated vulcanian explosions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank our colleagues at Montserrat Volcano Observatory for their assistance, especially C. Bonadonna, T. Druitt, C. Harford, R. Herd, R. Luckett and R.E.A. Robertson, our colleagues during the August explosions. Support for monitoring was provided by the Department for International Development (UK), the British Geological Survey (BGS), the Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies, and the US Geological Survey (USGS). A.C. and B.V. acknowledge support from the US NSF. A.N. and G.M. were assisted by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, and Gruppo Nazionale per la Vulcanologia INGV, Italy. B.V. was a Senior Scientist at Montserrat in 1997 with BGS, and was also affiliated with the USGS Volcano Hazards Program. We thank M. Rutherford for comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, Penn State University, University Park, 16802, Pennsylvania, USA

    A. B. Clarke & B. Voight

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy

    A. Neri

  3. Osservatorio Vesuviano, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Napoli, Italy

    G. Macedonio

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Correspondence to A. B. Clarke.

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Clarke, A., Voight, B., Neri, A. et al. Transient dynamics of vulcanian explosions and column collapse. Nature 415, 897–901 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/415897a

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