Ejection speed of pyroclasts

• Applicant: Dr. Ulrich Küppers
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2009 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 162576833

A rapidly increasing number of people is threatened by natural hazards as e.g. volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, or storms. Volcanic eruptions do not only have an impact on their direct neighbourhood but may also affect aviation, infrastructure and climate. Although the recurrence time of large eruptions may be long and the exact onset of the next eruption badly constrained, volcanoes still exhibit a unique advantage compared to any other natural threat. The “location” of most disaster is known. Understanding the dynamics of volcanic eruptions is therefore the key to a successful hazard mitigation strategy. We will perform rapid decompression experiments with natural rock samples from Colima volcano (Mexico) to simulate explosive volcanic eruptions. The experiments will be thoroughly monitored with 1) Doppler-Radar, 2) High-speed and video camera, 3) acoustic and infrasonic sensors, and 4) Laser Scanner to shed light on fragmentation, ejection, and deposition characteristics of volcanic pyroclasts. We are positive that this link of experimental volcanology and novel monitoring techniques will enhance our understanding of the behaviour of active volcanoes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Donald Bruce Dingwell