Deep and Rapid Thermo-mechanical Erosion by a Small-volume Lava Flow

Authors

Elisabeth Gallant, University of South FloridaFollow
Fanghui Deng, University of South FloridaFollow
Charles Connor, University of South FloridaFollow
Timothy H. Dixon, University of South FloridaFollow
Surui Xie, University of South FloridaFollow
J. A. Saballos, Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales
C. Gutiérrez, Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales
Doug Myhre, University of South FloridaFollow
Laura Connor, University of South FloridaFollow
Sylvain J. Charbonnier, University of South FloridaFollow
Rocco Malservisi, University of South FloridaFollow
Glenn Thompson, University of South FloridaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2020

Keywords

heat transfer modeling, planetary analogues, lava flow channel, volcano morphology, Momotombo

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116163

Abstract

We document remarkably efficient thermo-mechanical erosion by a small-volume lava flow. Downcutting by a basaltic-andesite lava flow on the steep-sided Momotombo volcano, Nicaragua, occurred at 100 times the rate commonly reported for thermal erosion in lava flow fields, even though this flow was small-volume (0.02 km3) and effused at a low rate for <1 week. The lava flow incised into the pyroclastic substrate up to 30 m, with erosion depth controlled primarily by thermal reduction of substrate hardness. We show that incision depth decreases, approximately exponentially, with distance along the flow path, until erosion stopped and the flow became constructional. This transition occurs 650 m from the vent on a slope averaging a 32∘ incline. Results indicate that syn-eruptive erosion is an important morphological process on some steep-sided volcanoes that are predominantly composed of layered pyroclasts. Rapid erosion and incision increased flow run-out for the 1905 flow, which in turn directed the flow and run-out of the 2015 lava flow. Mapping and understanding these features is critical for improving lava flow hazard assessments and provides insight into the construction and growth of composite cones.

Comments

Complete list of authors: J. Zayac, P. LaFemina, J. Richardson

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 537, art. 116163

Scholar Commons Citation

Gallant, Elisabeth; Deng, Fanghui; Connor, Charles; Dixon, Timothy H.; Xie, Surui; Saballos, J. A.; Gutiérrez, C.; Myhre, Doug; Connor, Laura; Charbonnier, Sylvain J.; Malservisi, Rocco; and Thompson, Glenn, "Deep and Rapid Thermo-mechanical Erosion by a Small-volume Lava Flow" (2020). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 2288.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/2288