Investigating explosive eruption dynamics with field-, laboratory- and computer-based methods

How do I study explosive eruptions?

First, I review the literature on specific eruptions and, when possible, I go to volcanoes to study their deposits and observe eruptions visually and with Doppler radar (Fig. 1). Just like a police officer detecting the speed of your car or a meteorologist detecting rain in the atmosphere, we can use Doppler radar to measure the speed and mass of volcanic rocks erupting from a volcano to improve forecasts of volcanic hazards. 

Second, with the data and insights gathered from the literature and field work, I go to the lab to conduct fluid dynamics experiments with water and particles to investigate how volcanic jets, plumes and ash clouds rise, collapse and spread in the atmosphere (Fig. 2). 

Third, I use the controlled datasets from the lab experiments and eruption datasets from the field to ensure computer simulations are capturing complex multiphase physical processes accurately, which govern how eruptions behave, so that we can develop them further to simulate real eruptions (Fig. 3).

It is not always possible to follow this exact workflow and field-, laboratory- and computer-based methods are all powerful methods on their own. However, where one method is limited another method may be well-suited, therefore combining all three in a single study is desirable.

Research goals

Using this multi-method research approach I aim to:

1. Provide a better fundamental understanding of the complex multiphase fluid dynamics governing explosive eruption behavior

   • Example: Characterize the particle-fluid coupling effects, such as two-way momentum transfer, on the larger-scale flow behavior

   • Example: Characterize the effect of rapidly changing source parameters on the turbulent structure of multiphase flows

2. Address uncertainties in reconstructions of volcano-climate effects for ancient and historic eruptions and, in turn, forecasts of volcano-climate effects for future eruptions

   • Example:  Improve estimates of volcanic ash-gas mass delivered to the stratosphere for specific ranges of eruption source parameters

3. Develop more detailed models for gravitationally unstable eruption columns 

   • Example: Catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions that destroyed entire civilizations such as the Bronze-age eruption of Santorini, Greece (3.6 ka) and Toba, Indonesia (73 ka)

4. Improve ash cloud hazard forecasting for ongoing and future eruptions

   • Example: Improve predictions of ash cloud spreading heights and rates, which pose threats to aviation, for specific ranges of eruption source parameters

Why study explosive eruptions? Click here to find out!