Volcanic eruptions; energy and size
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Abstract
The Earth is a dynamic planet. Many different processes are continuously developing, creating a delicate balance between the energy stored and generated in its interior and the heat lost into space. The heat in continuously transferred through complex self-regulating convection mechanisms on a planetary scale. The distribution of terrestrial heat flow reveals some of the fine structure of the energy transport mechanisms in the outer layers of the Earth. Of these mechanisms in the outer layers of the Earth. Of these mechanisms, volcanism is indeed the most remarkable, for it allows energy to be transported in rapid bursts to the surface. In order to maintain the subtle balance of the terrestrial heat machine, one may expect that some law or principle restricts the ways in which these volcanic bursts affect the overall energy transfer of the Earth. For instance, we know that the geothermal flux of the planet amounts to 1028 erg/year. On the other hand, a single large event like the Lava Creek Tuff eruption that formed Yellowstone caldera over half a million years ago may release the same amount of energy in a very small area, over a short period of time.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Volcanic eruptions; energy and size |
| Series title | Earthquakes & Volcanoes (USGS) |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1991 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S Geological Survey |
| Description | 2 p. |
| First page | 140 |
| Last page | 141 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |