Lava flows are common at volcanoes around the world and on other terrestrial planets, but their behavior is not fully understood. In Hawai`i, advances in remote sensing are offering new insights into lava flow emplacement. In this dissertation, I develop new techniques using satellite-based synthetic aperature radar, aerial photographs, and airborne lidar to produce three-dimensional high-resolution maps of lava flows from data collected before, during, and after emplacement. These new datasets highlight complex lava channel networks within these flows, which are not incorporated into current predictive or probabilistic lava flow models yet may affect flow behavior. I investigate the origin and influence of these channel networks through morphologic analysis of underlying topography, network topology, and flow morphology and volume. Channel network geometries range from distributary systems dominated by flow branching around local obstacles to tributary systems constricted by topography. I find that flow branching occurs where the flow thins over steeper slopes and that the degree of flow branching, network connectivity, and longevity of flow segments all influence the final flow morphology. Furthermore, because channel networks govern the distribution of lava supply within a flow, changes in the channel topology can dramatically alter the effective volumetric flux in any one branch, which affects both flow length and advance rate. Specifically, branching will slow and shorten flows, while merging can accelerate and lengthen them. To test these observations from historic eruptions and morphologic analysis, I use analogue experiments to simulate the interaction of a lava flow with a topographic obstacle and determine the conditions under which the flow branches and the effects of the bifurcation on flow advance rate. These experiments support the earlier results but also demonstrate the importance of flow dynamics and obstacle morphology on governing when flows may overtop obstacles. Consideration of channel networks is thus important for predicting lava flow behavior and mitigating flow hazards with diversion barriers. One video of Kilauea lava flow activity from 2003-2010 accompanies this dissertation as a supplemental file. This dissertation includes both previously published and unpublished co-authored material.

In order to estimate the oxygen fugacity of Hawaiian lavas I have measured the ferric/ferrous ratios of samples from the 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa volcano and from the ongoing (1983-2017) Puu Oo eruption of Kilauea volcano. Fifteen samples were studied from the 21 day Mauna Loa eruption and 86 samples, erupted between 1983 and 2004, of the 34 year long Kilauea eruption. Both studies show that, in order to obtain reliable estimates of oxygen fugacity when, where, and how basaltic lava is sampled is of critical importance. Water-quenched lavas and spatter sampled at, or near vents, are less oxidized than water-quenched samples taken from open flow channels several kilometers away from the vent, or from slowly-cooled solidified flows. Additionally, samples of water-quenched lava traveling in lava tubes are less prone to oxidation than lava flowing in open channels, with oxygen fugacities similar to those of near vent quenched samples. The oxidation state of the rapidly quenched near vent or lava tube samples is at or below magnetite-wüstite (MW). This contrasts with the oxidation state of previously reported values for Hawaiian lavas, which are closer to fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) or nickel-nickel oxide (NNO). From this I conclude that the initial oxygen fugacity of Hawaiian parental magmas is close to MW and not FMQ, and that previous estimates of the oxidation state of Hawaiian magmas, based on data from solidified lava flows, were too high. This implies that the plume source of both Mauna Loa and Kilauea magmas is also close to MW, but not as reduced as the mantle source of mid-ocean ridge basalts.

In 1960, Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii erupted, destroying most of the village of Kapoho and forcing evacuation of its approximately 300 residents. A large and unprecedented social science survey was undertaken during the eruption to develop an understanding of human behavior, beliefs, and coping strategies among the adult evacuees (n = 160). Identical studies were also performed in three control towns located at varying distances from the eruption site (n = 478). During these studies data were collected that characterized ethnic grouping and attitudes toward Hawaiian cultural issues such as belief in Pele and two lava flow mitigation measures-use of barriers and bombs to influence the flow of lava, but the data were never published. Using these forgotten data, we examined the relationship between Hawaiian cultural issues and attitudes toward the use of barriers and bombs as mitigation strategies to protect Kapoho. On average, 72% of respondents favored the construction of earthen barriers to hold back or divert lava and protect Kapoho, but far fewer agreed with the military's use of bombs (14%) to protect Kapoho. In contrast, about one-third of respondents conditionally agreed with the use of bombs. It is suggested that local participation in the bombing strategy may explain the increased conditional acceptance of bombs as a mitigation tool, although this can not be conclusively demonstrated. Belief in Pele and being of Hawaiian ethnicity did not reduce support for the use of barriers, but did reduce support for bombs in both bombing scenarios. The disparity in levels of acceptance of barriers versus bombing and of one bombing strategy versus another suggests that historically public attitudes toward lava flow hazard mitigation strategies were complex. A modern comparative study is needed before the next damaging eruption to inform debates and decisions about whether or not to interfere with the flow of lava. Recent changes in the current eruption of Kīlauea make this a timely topic.

The 28 March to 22 April 1999 eruption of Mount Cameroon volcano in southwest Cameroon occurred from multiple vents along fissures at two sites. Vents opened first at the upper site 1 (2650 m) and were more explosive than vents at the lower site 2 (1500 m), which were more effusive. Earthquakes, lava flows, tephra fall, ballistics and gas emissions affected the volcano's west and south flanks, including forests, plantations, stock animals, water supplies, coastal communities and their people. Through an analysis of existing published data and new interview data, we provide an overview of the environmental, social and economic consequences of these hazards on infrastructure, human health, and socio-economic and agricultural activities of the four coastal communities most affected by the eruption: Batoke, Bakingili, Debundscha and Idenau. The collected data provide a more detailed description of the short- and long-term direct and indirect effects of the eruption and response than has been provided to date. Sedimentation of tephra and ballistics from site 1 produced both short-term and long-lasting impacts on people, through the contamination of plants and water supplies, which induced impacts on human health and commercial activities. A ~9.2 km long lava flow erupted from site 2 received significant short-term attention as it severed the only arterial coastal highway, forced the evacuation of some 600 residents of Bakingili, and interrupted commerce between communities. The agricultural sector also suffered due to burning of crops and soils. The only obvious significant benefit of the eruption appears to be that the long lava flow has become a tourist attraction, responsible for bringing in money for food, drink and lodging. However, the long-term cascading effects caused by the hazards have proven to be more severe than the immediate direct and indirect effects during the eruption.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 556-580). / Microfiche. / 2 v. (xv, 580 leaves, bound) ill., maps, col. photos. 29 cm

Volcanic eruptions pose hazards to life and insfrastructure, and contribute to the resurfacing of earth and other planetary bodies. Lavas and magmas are multi-phase suspensions of silicate melts (liquids), solid crystals, and vapor bubbles, and solidify into glass and rock upon cooling. The interactions between phases place important controls on the dynamics and timescales of magma and lava transport and emplacement. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the role of multiphase interactions in controlling eruption dynamics and inform conceptual and numerical models for hazard prediction. In Chapters 1 and 2, centimeter to meter scale analog experiments are used to explore the multi-phase rheological properties and flow behaviors of bubble- and particle-bearing suspensions. Optical imaging of dam-break experiments presented in Chapter 1 expand existing experimental parameter ranges for lava analogs to higher bubble concentrations than existing datasets (up to 82% by volume bubbles and 37% by volume particles). I develop a constitutive relationship for threephase relative viscosity, and demonstrate that at the low strain-rate conditions relevant to many natural lava flows, accounting for the rheological effect of bubbles can result in the prediction of slower runout speeds. Chapter 2 expands upon the work of Chapter 1 using different analog materials observed using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phase-contrast velocimetry (PCV) to measure velocity in the flow interior of three-phase dam-break experiments. I find that for high-aspect ratio particles (sesame seeds), phase segregation into shear bands readily occurs, even at low particle fraction (20%) and results in strain localization. I suggest that the presence of shear bands can lead to faster flow runout than predicted using assumptions of bulk rheology. Chapter 3 analyzes thermal infrared (IR) time-lapse photography and videography of Hawaiian to Strombolian explosive activity during the 2021 eruption of Cumbre Vieja volcano, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. Images are analyzed to find time series of apparent plume radius, velocity, and apparent volume flux of high-temperature gas and lava. I compare with other measures of eruptive activity, including remote observations of plume height, SO₂ flux, effusive flux, tremor, and events at the volcano edifice including edifice collapses and the opening of new vents. I find correlations between tremor and explosive flux, but no correlation with SO2 flux or effusive flux, which I interpret as evidence of bubble segregation, highlighting the role of phase segregation and temporal variability in material properties in natural systems. Finally, in Chapter 4, I develop a novel finite element model to explore the interaction between a viscous flow with a solidified crust, and the effect of these interactions on lava flow and lava dome emplacement. I develop a model that couples a temperature-dependent viscous interior with an elastic shell flowing into air, water, or dense atmospheres. The model expands upon existing numerical simulations used in volcanology to have direct applications to lava flows and domes on the sea floor, which accounts for a large portion of the volcanism on Earth, and volcanism on other planetary bodies. Additionally, the formation of levees or solidified flow fronts that fracture and lead to a restart of flow. These lava flow breakouts pose a significant hazard, but there are currently no volcanological community codes capable of using a physics-based approach to predict the timing or location of breakouts. The model in Chapter 4 is the first to allow for assessment of the likelihood of failure at the scale of a flow lobe. Chapter 4 describes the model formulation and verification, and validation against centimeter-scale molten basalt experiments. The dissertation as a whole integrates work using a variety of methods including analog experiments, observations of natural eruptions, and numerical simulations to contribute to our understanding of the effects of multi-phase interactions on volcanic eruptions.

Nos derrames basálticos da Formação Serra Geral são reconhecidas numerosas ocorrências de fraturas sub-horizontais de grande continuidade lateral. Tais fraturas, de até centenas de metros de extensão, foram consideradas estruturas típicas em derrames e constituem importantes descontinuidades na estabilidade de obras de engenharia e como rotas de percolação de fluídos. Descritas inicialmente no final da década de 60, as fraturas sub-horizontais em derrames basálticos foram intensamente estudadas até o início da década de 90, por ocasião da construção de grandes barragens sobre os derrames basálticos da Formação Serra Geral. No presente trabalho, a reunião das informações disponíveis sobre as fraturas sub-horizontais em basaltos permitiu estabelecer as relações entre suas formas de ocorrência e seus processos geradores, bem como a análise crítica dos modelos apresentados na literatura no que diz respeito a movimentações sobre fraturas sub-horizontais. As fraturas sub-horizontais possuem uma ampla variação de características, atribuída a diferentes processos genéticos e atuação de agentes secundários. Tais estruturas podem ocorrer como simples juntas sub-horizontais bastante contínuas, de abertura milimétrica, ou constituírem horizontes fraturados com espessura decimétrica a métrica (até 2 metros), apresentando fortes ondulações. Esses horizontes são caracterizados por fraturas pouco persistentes, que delimitam blocos tabulares com terminações em cunha e em forma de lentes. As fraturas sub-horizontais ocorrem em porções específicas dos derrames: abaixo da zona vesiculo-amigdaloidal do topo; em meio ao basalto maciço, normalmente no limite entre diferentes níveis de disjunções colunares; ou próximo à base do derrame. Os diferentes tipos de fraturas sub-horizontais foram classificados dentro do quadro de eventos sin-, tardi- e pós-magmáticos. As fraturas sub-horizontais sin-magmáticas correspondem a feições de fluxo formadas devido a esforços cisalhantes gerados pela diferença de velocidade de fluxo da lava. As fraturas sub-horizontais tardi-magmáticas correspondem a juntas de resfriamento geradas pelo avanço das frentes de resfriamento que se deslocam das periferias para o centro do derrame. As fraturas sub-horizontais pós-magmáticas correspondem a dois principais tipos de estruturas: juntas de alívio e fraturas de cisalhamento. Tais estruturas podem ser neoformadas, ocorrendo em qualquer porção do derrame, ou se desenvolverem sobre fraturas sub-horizontais preexistentes. Na literatura, as fraturas sub-horizontais foram denominadas como juntasfalhas, devido a variedade de estruturas que apresentavam correlações com feições primárias do derrame e sinais de movimentações como estrias de atrito e deslocamentos de diques e fraturas verticais. Os deslocamentos observados nas fraturas sub-horizontais podem estar associados ao processo de alívio de tensões laterais em taludes, pelo entalhamento de vales fluviais, bem como a movimentações decorrentes de esforços tectônicos regionais. Estrias de fricção ao longo de fraturas sub-horizontais preexistentes têm indicado que tais deslocamentos são compatíveis com movimentações transcorrentes na bacia. Fraturas no fundo dos vales apresentam um padrão conjugado com fraturas sub-horizontais podendo apresentar feições de cisalhamento. / In the basaltic lava flows of Serra Geral Formation, numerous occurrences of subhorizontal fractures of extensive continuity are recognized. Such fractures, of up to hundreds of meters long, were considered typical structures in lava flows and are relevant discontinuities in the stability of engineering works and as fluid percolation routes. Described initially in the late 60s, the subhorizontal fractures in basaltic lava flows were intensely studied until the early 90s, when large dams were built over the rocks of Serra Geral Formation. In this work, a reunion of available information on subhorizontal fractures in basalts allowed to establish the relations between the ways they take place and their genetic processes, as well as the critical analysis of the models presented in the literature with respect to movements on such subhorizontal fractures. Subhorizontal fractures have a wide variety of characteristics, due to different genetic processes and action of secondary agents. Such structures may occur as quite continuous simple subhorizontal joints, of millimetric opening, or fractured undulate horizons with decimetric to metric (up to 2 meters) thickness. Such horizons are characterized by low lateral continuity, limiting tabular blocks with wedge and lensshaped endings. The subhorizontal fractures occur in specific portions of the flows: below the upper crust zone; in the massive basalt, usually at the boundaries between different levels of columnar joints; or near the base of the flow. The different types of subhorizontal fractures were classified within the syn-, late- and post-magmatic events. The synmagmatic subhorizontal fractures correspond to features of flow formed due to shear stress generated by lava flow speed difference. The late magmatic subhorizontal fractures correspond to cooling joints generated by moving forward of those cooling fronts displacing from the peripheral areas to the middle of the flow. The postmagmatic subhorizontal fractures correspond to two different types of structures: release joints and shear fractures. Such structures may be neoformed, and occur in any portion of the flow, or being developed over the preexisting subhorizontal fractures. In the literature, the subhorizontal fractures were named as joint-faults, due to the variety of structures that presented correlations with the flow primary features and signs of movements such as friction striae and displacement of vertical dikes and fractures. The displacements observed in the subhorizontal fractures may be associated with the process of lateral stress release in slopes, by erosion in river valleys, as well as regional tectonic movements. Friction striae along preexisting subhorizontal fractures have shown that displacements are compatible with transcurrent movements in the basin. Fractures in the valley bottoms present a pattern of conjugate subhorizontal fractures and it may also present shear features.

Nos derrames basálticos da Formação Serra Geral são reconhecidas numerosas ocorrências de fraturas sub-horizontais de grande continuidade lateral. Tais fraturas, de até centenas de metros de extensão, foram consideradas estruturas típicas em derrames e constituem importantes descontinuidades na estabilidade de obras de engenharia e como rotas de percolação de fluídos. Descritas inicialmente no final da década de 60, as fraturas sub-horizontais em derrames basálticos foram intensamente estudadas até o início da década de 90, por ocasião da construção de grandes barragens sobre os derrames basálticos da Formação Serra Geral. No presente trabalho, a reunião das informações disponíveis sobre as fraturas sub-horizontais em basaltos permitiu estabelecer as relações entre suas formas de ocorrência e seus processos geradores, bem como a análise crítica dos modelos apresentados na literatura no que diz respeito a movimentações sobre fraturas sub-horizontais. As fraturas sub-horizontais possuem uma ampla variação de características, atribuída a diferentes processos genéticos e atuação de agentes secundários. Tais estruturas podem ocorrer como simples juntas sub-horizontais bastante contínuas, de abertura milimétrica, ou constituírem horizontes fraturados com espessura decimétrica a métrica (até 2 metros), apresentando fortes ondulações. Esses horizontes são caracterizados por fraturas pouco persistentes, que delimitam blocos tabulares com terminações em cunha e em forma de lentes. As fraturas sub-horizontais ocorrem em porções específicas dos derrames: abaixo da zona vesiculo-amigdaloidal do topo; em meio ao basalto maciço, normalmente no limite entre diferentes níveis de disjunções colunares; ou próximo à base do derrame. Os diferentes tipos de fraturas sub-horizontais foram classificados dentro do quadro de eventos sin-, tardi- e pós-magmáticos. As fraturas sub-horizontais sin-magmáticas correspondem a feições de fluxo formadas devido a esforços cisalhantes gerados pela diferença de velocidade de fluxo da lava. As fraturas sub-horizontais tardi-magmáticas correspondem a juntas de resfriamento geradas pelo avanço das frentes de resfriamento que se deslocam das periferias para o centro do derrame. As fraturas sub-horizontais pós-magmáticas correspondem a dois principais tipos de estruturas: juntas de alívio e fraturas de cisalhamento. Tais estruturas podem ser neoformadas, ocorrendo em qualquer porção do derrame, ou se desenvolverem sobre fraturas sub-horizontais preexistentes. Na literatura, as fraturas sub-horizontais foram denominadas como juntasfalhas, devido a variedade de estruturas que apresentavam correlações com feições primárias do derrame e sinais de movimentações como estrias de atrito e deslocamentos de diques e fraturas verticais. Os deslocamentos observados nas fraturas sub-horizontais podem estar associados ao processo de alívio de tensões laterais em taludes, pelo entalhamento de vales fluviais, bem como a movimentações decorrentes de esforços tectônicos regionais. Estrias de fricção ao longo de fraturas sub-horizontais preexistentes têm indicado que tais deslocamentos são compatíveis com movimentações transcorrentes na bacia. Fraturas no fundo dos vales apresentam um padrão conjugado com fraturas sub-horizontais podendo apresentar feições de cisalhamento. / In the basaltic lava flows of Serra Geral Formation, numerous occurrences of subhorizontal fractures of extensive continuity are recognized. Such fractures, of up to hundreds of meters long, were considered typical structures in lava flows and are relevant discontinuities in the stability of engineering works and as fluid percolation routes. Described initially in the late 60s, the subhorizontal fractures in basaltic lava flows were intensely studied until the early 90s, when large dams were built over the rocks of Serra Geral Formation. In this work, a reunion of available information on subhorizontal fractures in basalts allowed to establish the relations between the ways they take place and their genetic processes, as well as the critical analysis of the models presented in the literature with respect to movements on such subhorizontal fractures. Subhorizontal fractures have a wide variety of characteristics, due to different genetic processes and action of secondary agents. Such structures may occur as quite continuous simple subhorizontal joints, of millimetric opening, or fractured undulate horizons with decimetric to metric (up to 2 meters) thickness. Such horizons are characterized by low lateral continuity, limiting tabular blocks with wedge and lensshaped endings. The subhorizontal fractures occur in specific portions of the flows: below the upper crust zone; in the massive basalt, usually at the boundaries between different levels of columnar joints; or near the base of the flow. The different types of subhorizontal fractures were classified within the syn-, late- and post-magmatic events. The synmagmatic subhorizontal fractures correspond to features of flow formed due to shear stress generated by lava flow speed difference. The late magmatic subhorizontal fractures correspond to cooling joints generated by moving forward of those cooling fronts displacing from the peripheral areas to the middle of the flow. The postmagmatic subhorizontal fractures correspond to two different types of structures: release joints and shear fractures. Such structures may be neoformed, and occur in any portion of the flow, or being developed over the preexisting subhorizontal fractures. In the literature, the subhorizontal fractures were named as joint-faults, due to the variety of structures that presented correlations with the flow primary features and signs of movements such as friction striae and displacement of vertical dikes and fractures. The displacements observed in the subhorizontal fractures may be associated with the process of lateral stress release in slopes, by erosion in river valleys, as well as regional tectonic movements. Friction striae along preexisting subhorizontal fractures have shown that displacements are compatible with transcurrent movements in the basin. Fractures in the valley bottoms present a pattern of conjugate subhorizontal fractures and it may also present shear features.

No description available.

This thesis presents a new template for multidisciplinary habitat mapping that combines the analyses of seafloor geomorphology, oceanographic proxies and modelling of associated biologic features. High resolution swath bathymetry of the Faial and western Pico shelves is used to present the first state-of-the-art geomorphologic assessment of submerged island shelves in the Azores. Solid seafloor structures are described in previously unreported detail together with associated volcanic, tectonic and erosion processes. The large sedimentary expanses identified in the area are also investigated and the large bedforms identified are discussed in view of new data on the local hydrodynamic conditions. Coarse-sediment zones of types hitherto unreported for volcanic island shelves are described using swath data and in situ imagery together with sub-bottom profiles and grainsize information. The hydrodynamic and geological processes producing these features are discussed. New oceanographic information extracted from satellite imagery is presented including yearly and seasonal sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration fields. These are used as proxies to understand the spatio-temporal variability of water temperature and primary productivity in the immediate island vicinity. The patterns observed are discussed, including onshore-offshore gradients and the prevalence of colder/more productive waters in the Faial-Pico passage and shelf areas in general. Furthermore, oceanographic proxies for swell exposure and tidal currents are derived from GIS analyses and shallow-water hydrographic modelling. Finally, environmental variables that potentially regulate the distribution of benthic organisms (seafloor nature, depth, slope, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, swell exposure and maximum tidal currents) are brought together and used to develop innovative statistical models of the distribution of six macroalgae taxa dominant in the infralittoral (articulated Corallinaceae, Codium elisabethae, Dictyota spp., Halopteris filicina, Padina pavonica and Zonaria tournefortii). Predictive distributions of these macroalgae are spatialized around Faial island using ordered logistic regression equations and raster fields of the explanatory variables found to be statistically significant. This new approach represents a potentially highly significant step forward in modelling benthic communities not only in the Azores but also in other oceanic island shelves where the management of benthic species and biotopes is critical to preserve ecosystem health.