New insights into the deposit architecture and emplacement mechanisms of block-and-ash flows using ground penetrating radar
Lead Research Organisation:
Keele University
Department Name: Institute Env Physical Sci & App Maths
Abstract
Block-and-ash flows (BAFs) are amongst the most dangerous volcanic phenomena on the planet. Generated by gravitational or explosive collapses of viscous lava domes or by the collapse of vulcanian-type eruption columns, BAFs are common at many active subduction zone volcanoes, including Colima (Mexico), Unzen (Japan), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat), Arenal (Costa Rica) and Merapi (Indonesia), where they pose a severe threat to the surrounding population and infrastructure. Merapi, an andesitic composite volcano located in Central Java (Indonesia), is one of the most frequently erupting volcanoes in Indonesia with nearly persistent volcanic activity. Of the 1.1 million people living on the flanks of the volcano, almost half live in high-risk areas. It is estimated that property worth tens of millions of U.S. dollars lies in the vulnerability zone of the volcano and this amount is likely to increase given a population growth rate of 3% per year in the local area. Since the mid-1500s, eruptions of Merapi have caused ~7000 fatalities. More recently, BAFs from a small-scale eruption in 1994 killed 66 people, whilst the renewed activity of 2006, which, for the first time in more than a century affected densely populated areas on the volcano's southern flank, led to more fatalities. These eruptions illustrate the unpredictable and still poorly understood behaviour of BAFs, which caused havoc in areas considered relatively save from BAFs and related hazards. Furthermore, they have demonstrated the urgent need for an improved physical understanding of the mobility, transport and deposition processes of BAFs in order to improve assessments of their local hazard potential. Traditionally, qualitative models of BAF transport and deposition have been developed based on interpretations of the internal structure from resulting deposits. Unfortunately, a combination of poor exposure and rapid lateral facies variations, controlled by unknown palaeo-topography, have often complicated such field-based studies and have hindered the detailed assessment of emplacement mechanisms and, hence, the hazard potential of such flows. This proposal aims to overcome the inherent limitations of these traditional studies through the application of ground penetrating radar (GPR) to the 2006 Merapi BAF deposits, which provide a unique and ideal natural laboratory for this type of research. The application of GPR to pyroclastic deposits is relatively new and the technique is capable of allowing systematic and rapid collection of sub-surface information independently from the presence of exposures. This opens a unique perspective that, when combined with detailed sedimentological studies along exposed sections, will provide the most complete picture yet of the three-dimensional deposit architecture of BAF deposits and how this type of pyroclastic flows is emplaced. Such a level of interpretational sophistication is impossible to achieve with direct observation techniques alone. The results of this study will be instrumental in formulating a new, improved understanding of BAF-related hazards and help provide sustainable technology solutions to the challenges associated with hazard mitigation (a priority area highlighted in the NERC Strategic Plan for Science). One of the key outcomes of the project is to create a unique, well-constrained data set that has important applications to the numerical modelling of mass flows and the emplacement dynamics of multi-phase granular deposits. Consequently, the work will be of immediate benefit to all groups involved in assessing volcano hazards either directly (at observatories on some of the most active volcanoes around the world) or through remote sensing and numerical modelling techniques.
People |
ORCID iD |
Ralf Gertisser (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Charbonnier S
(2009)
Numerical simulations of block-and-ash flows using the Titan2D flow model: examples from the 2006 eruption of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia
in Bulletin of Volcanology
CHARBONNIER S
(2011)
Deposit architecture and dynamics of the 2006 block-and-ash flows of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia
in Sedimentology
Charbonnier S
(2008)
Field observations and surface characteristics of pristine block-and-ash flow deposits from the 2006 eruption of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Charbonnier S
(2012)
Evaluation of geophysical mass flow models using the 2006 block-and-ash flows of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia: Towards a short-term hazard assessment tool
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Charbonnier S
(2013)
Evaluation of the impact of the 2010 pyroclastic density currents at Merapi volcano from high-resolution satellite imagery, field investigations and numerical simulations
in Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
Charbonnier S.J.
(2011)
Application of numerical models to block-and-ash flow hazard assessment: example from Merapi, Central Java, Indonesia
in Abstract volume
Charbonnier, S.J.
(2011)
Application of numerical models to block-and-ash flow hazard assessment: example from Merapi, Central Java, Indonesia
in Abstract volume
Charbonnier, S.J.
(2011)
Re-assessment of the geological evolution and associated hazards of Merapi Volcano
in Abstract volume
Gertisser R
(2012)
The geological evolution of Merapi volcano, Central Java, Indonesia
in Bulletin of Volcanology
Gertisser R
(2011)
Overbank block-and-ash flow deposits and the impact of valley-derived, unconfined flows on populated areas at Merapi volcano, Java, Indonesia
in Natural Hazards
Description | Volcanic eruptions can produce fast-moving flows of lava blocks and ash, which are typically confined to valleys. But when they breach the valley confines they can cover large and often populated areas, with devastating results. It turns out that protective structures like dams, which are built to protect land and people from volcanic landslides called lahars, might actually be adding to the risk that these block-and-ash flows could spill over valley margins. In addition, minute details of surface topography can influence the route these dangerous flows follow. |
Exploitation Route | To aid volcanologists, decision makers and authorities in improving pyroclastic flow hazard assessment and risk mitigation. |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | http://www.esci.keele.ac.uk/merapi/index.htm |
Description | To improve our understanding of hazardous volcanic flows and to mitigate the risk associated with this deadly volcanic phenomenon. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland Senior Bursary |
Amount | £200 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2010 |
End | 07/2010 |
Description | Research project, AXA Foundation |
Organisation | State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Named project partner and collaborator in AXA Foundation research project "Sediment-related disasters following the 2010 centennial eruption of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia (SEDIMER)"; Project led and coordinated by Prof. Franck Lavigne (University of Paris, France). Project website: http://www.lgp.cnrs-bellevue.fr/sedimer/index.html. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Research project, National Science Foundation (NSF), USA |
Organisation | University of South Florida |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Named project partner and collaborator in NSF grant "Collection of a high-resolution spatial and ground-based dataset from the 2010 explosive events at Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia "; Principal investigator: Prof. Charles Connor, University of South Florida, USA |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | European Higher Education Fair Indonesia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Given my experience of conducting research in Indonesia, I was chosen by my University (Keele University) to represent my institution at the European Higher Education Fair Indonesia (Surabaya (9 Oct. 2013) and Jakarta (12-13 Oct. 2013)). Attendance was mainly by Indonesian college students interested in studying in the UK, and undergraduate students interested in UK postgraduate Masters courses. Increased interest in study in the UK by Indonesian students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Short course Volcanic Hazards |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | workshop facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Due to contact established earlier, an opportunity has arisen to give a 2-day short course to an international cohort of MSc and PhD students and staff of the Department of Geological Engineering at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The short course entitled "Volcanic hazards" provided an introduction to volcanic hazards on day 1, which was followed by another set of lectures on volcanic hazards of Merapi volcano situated about 25 km north of Yogyakarta on day 2. Participants asked about reaearch collaborations, possibilities for studying in the UK and help in own project work (e.g., in numerical modelling of pyroclastic density currents) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |