| Abstract: | A variety of hydrovolcanic explosions may occur as basaltic lava flows into the ocean. Observations and measurements were made during a two-year span of unusually explosive littoral activity as tube-fed pahoehoe from Kilauea Volcano inundated the southeast coastline of the island of Hawai‘i. Our observations suggest that explosive interactions require high entrance fluxes (??? 4 m3/s) and are most often initiated by collapse of a developing lava delta. Two types of interactions were observed. "Open mixing" of lava and seawater occurred when delta collapse exposed the mouth of a severed lava tube or incandescent fault scarp to wave action. The ensuing explosions produced unconsolidated deposits of glassy lava fragments or lithic debris. Interactions under "confined mixing" conditions occurred when a lava tube situated at or below sea level fractured. Explosions ruptured the roof of the tube and produced circular mounds of welded spatter. We estimate a water/rock mass ratio of 0.15 for the most common type of littoral explosion and a kinetic energy release of 0.07-1.3 kJ/kg for the range of events witnessed. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70020243 |
| Citation Author: | Mattox, T. N.; Mangan, M. T. |
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| Citation End Page: | 17 |
| Citation Issue: | 1-2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 17 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Littoral hydrovolcanic explosions: A case study of lava-seawater interaction at Kilauea Volcano; 1997; Article; Journal; Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research; Mattox, T. N.; Mangan, M. T. |
| Citation Start Page: | 1 |
| Citation Volume: | 75 |
| Citation Year: | 1997 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Littoral hydrovolcanic explosions: A case study of lava-seawater interaction at Kilauea Volcano; 1997; Article; Journal; Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research; Mattox, T. N.; Mangan, M. T. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 1997 00:00 -0600 |
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