Enigmatic processes in volcanic eruptions: uncovering the dynamics of large explosive eruptions using sensors, deposits, and simulations

Presented by Dr. Josef Dufek: University of Oregoon

Explosive volcanic eruptions produce high energy flows that encompass a range of particle-fluid interactions. While hazards and impacts from these events can be felt 10s to 100s of kilometers from their source, fundamental particle-particle and particle-fluid interactions at the particle scale dictate momentum transfer and much of the dynamics of these flows. This presentation will focus on two types of flows from explosive volcanic eruptions that encompass a range of particle concentration, flow compressibility, and energies. Specifically, the presentation will focus on the dynamics of pyroclastic density currents (a type of particle-laden gravity current), and the near vent dynamics of volcanic jets. In each case both experiments and numerical simulations will be used to assess the role of particle-scale interactions on macro-scale dynamics.