Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1981
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1981e%26psl..54..139l&link_type=abstract
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Volume 54, Issue 1, p. 139-143.
Physics
23
Scientific paper
Many volcanic edifices have a remarkably symmetric geometrical form. An example is Mount Fuji in Japan. We model this form assuming that the surface of the volcano is a surface of uniform hydraulic potential; that an erupting magma will follow the path of minimum resistance to the surface. In order to model the resistance to fluid flow we assume the volcanic edifice is a uniform porous medium. The vertical flow of magma is also resisted by the gravitational body force. If the volcano becomes too tall flank eruptions will widen it; if the volcano becomes too wide summit eruptions will increase its elevation. Using the Dupuit approximation for an unconfined aquifer it is shown that the percolation equation is applicable. As magma reaches the surface it is assumed to extend the solid, porous matrix. A similarity solution is obtained to this moving boundary problem. The solution predicts a uniform shape for all volcanoes. This shape is shown to be in excellent agreement with the geometrical form of Mount Fuji.
Lacey A.
Ockendon John R.
Turcotte Donald L.
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