Do the fractal dimensions of evolved lava-flow margins distinguish endogenous and exogenous growth?

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

5480 Volcanism (8450), 8400 Volcanology, 8429 Lava Rheology And Morphology, 8450 Planetary Volcanism (5480)

Scientific paper

Although there are recorded observations of active dacitic domes at Mount St. Helens, Soufriere, St. Vincent and Santiaguito, there is as yet no direct observation of an active rhyolite flow, dome or coulee. Thus, we must use numerical models and/or laboratory simulations to constrain the emplacement of evolved lavas. We have used fractals to describe the planforms of evolved flows and domes (both naturally occurring and simulated laboratory flows) in an attempt to quantify their emplacement styles. Bruno et al. [1994] used fractal analysis of basaltic lava flow margins and determined that a\'{ }a flows correspond to a fractal dimension (D) of 1.05-1.09 and pahoehoe flow margins display D = 1.13-1.23. Based on only a few examples, they concluded that evolved flow margins are not fractal. However, only a small number of evolved flows were examined and these were emplaced on relatively steep (>5° ) slopes. More recently it has been suggested that the D ranges allocated to a\'{ }a and pahoehoe actually describe simple or complex emplacement, respectively. We have measured aerial images of evolved lava flows in the Cascades, the Inyo domes and the Andean Central Volcanic Zone to test the hypothesis that D values for lava flow margins reflect emplacement style rather than surface morphology. Preliminary results indicate that some evolved flows and domes do indeed exhibit a fractal behavior. A flow margin is determined to show fractal behavior if the R2 value calculated on a Richardson plot of the margin is >0.95. The flows/domes that do exhibit fractal behavior fall within the range of 1.055 and 1.097. This range is almost identical to that of the simple flow emplacement (a\'{ }a-like), which may be indictative of endogenous (rather than exogenous) growth. Analyses of simulated flows in the laboratory will be used to further test this hypothesis.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Do the fractal dimensions of evolved lava-flow margins distinguish endogenous and exogenous growth? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Do the fractal dimensions of evolved lava-flow margins distinguish endogenous and exogenous growth?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Do the fractal dimensions of evolved lava-flow margins distinguish endogenous and exogenous growth? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1426630

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.