Environmental hazards of pyroclastic flows determined by numerical models

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Geology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0641:EHOPFD>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:7000886

Valentine, G A; Wholetz, K H ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)

Numerical solutions of the compressible, multiphase Navier-Stokes equations are applied to conditions appropriate for the development of pyroclastic flows from collapsing Plinian eruption columns. Temporal and spatial variations in horizontal velocity, dynamic pressure, solid volume fraction, and temperature are analyzed for three experiments that model variations in behavior due to differing eruption conditions. Pyroclastic flows display a complex evolution with time and runout distance for the vent. Evolution of flow parameters is most generally manifested by alternating periods of erosion and deposition. Velocities of flow heads decrease and solid concentrations in the flow heads increase with distance from vent. Application of numerical modeling to such phenomena can help in assessing volcanic hazards and pyroclastic transport processes.

• OSTI ID: 7000886
• Journal Information: Geology; (USA), Vol. 17:7; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
LAVA
FLUID FLOW
VOLCANOES
DEPOSITION
EROSION
FLOW RATE
KINETIC EQUATIONS
SOLIDIFICATION
SPACE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TIME DEPENDENCE
EQUATIONS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
580000* - Geosciences