Have you ever wondered what makes some volcanic eruptions more explosive and unpredictable than others? In 2018, Kīlauea volcano in Hawai'i baffled scientists with a series of unusual eruptions. By reading this post, you'll uncover the groundbreaking research that explains these "stomp-rocket" eruptions and gain a deeper understanding of volcanic behavior.
The lava flow from Kīlauea devastated the town below, but it also appears to have created the conditions for the eruptions 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. Image Credit: United States Geological Survey
Unveiling the Mystery of Kīlauea's 2018 Eruptions
In May 2018, Kīlauea volcano erupted repeatedly, sending ash over 9,000 meters (30,000 feet) into the sky. While the damage to the towns below was tragically familiar, the eruptions themselves were so unusual that volcanologists have been studying them for years, eventually identifying a new cause.
A Unique Eruption Mechanism
When the Halema’uma’u crater erupted, it was initially compared to Kīlauea's 1924 eruption. However, the 2018 events were distinct, featuring pyrocumulus clouds and blue fire from escaping methane gas. Unlike typical explosive eruptions driven by magma fragmentation or vaporized groundwater, these eruptions didn't fit the usual patterns.
Dr. Josh Crozier, who studied the Kīlauea event for his PhD at the University of Oregon, noted, “These eruptions are quite interesting in that they don’t really seem to involve either of those. The eruptive material contained very little fresh magma, and there’s no evidence of significant groundwater involvement.”
The Stomp-Rocket Effect
Kīlauea's extensive sensor network and the repeatability of the eruptions provided a unique opportunity for study. The lava flows that caused significant damage originated from magma draining from an underground reservoir 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. This draining magma caused a series of earthquakes, averaging a magnitude of 4.7, which increased pressure in the reservoir.
The reservoir, containing magmatic gas and rubble, blasted through a vent into the crater above, a phenomenon researchers dubbed the “stomp-rocket” effect. Crozier explained, “The ‘stomp’ is this whole kilometer-thick chunk of rock dropping down, pressurizing the pocket, and then forcing material directly up.” This mechanism propelled around 3,000 cubic meters (106,000 cubic feet) of particles per second, equivalent to the volume of an Olympic swimming pool.
Implications for Future Eruptions
While proving the stomp-rocket effect definitively may be challenging, Crozier and his team’s modeling supports its plausibility. This mechanism likely occurred in past eruptions, including Kīlauea's 1924 event, and could happen again under similar conditions.
The combination of extensive monitoring and repeated events allowed scientists to link the eruption's plume properties with geophysical observations, providing a new understanding of volcanic behavior.
Conclusion:
The 2018 Kīlauea eruptions have provided invaluable insights into volcanic mechanisms, particularly the stomp-rocket effect. This research not only enhances our understanding of Kīlauea but also offers a new perspective on volcanic eruptions worldwide. By staying informed and leveraging advanced monitoring techniques, we can better predict and prepare for future volcanic events.
The study is published in Nature Geoscience.
This blog post was crafted by FreeAstroScience.com, where we simplify complex scientific principles for enthusiasts like you. Stay curious and keep exploring!
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