4D simulation of explosive eruption dynamics at Vesuvius

We applied a new simulation model, based on multiphase transport laws, to describe the 4D (3D spatial coordinates plus time) dynamics of explosive eruptions. Numerical experiments, carried out on a parallel supercomputer, describe the collapse of the volcanic eruption column and the propagation of pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), for selected medium scale (sub‐Plinian) eruptive scenarios at Vesuvius, Italy. Simulations provide crucial insights into the effects of the generation mechanism of the flows ‐ partial collapse vs boiling‐over ‐ on their evolution and hazard potential, the unstable dynamics of the fountain, and the influence of Mount Somma on the propagation of PDCs into the circum‐Vesuvian area, one of the world's most hazardous volcanic settings. Results also show that it is possible to characterize the volcanic column behavior in terms of percentage of the mass of pyroclasts collapsed to the ground and how this parameter strongly influences the dynamics and hazard of the associated PDCs.

[1]  B. Voight,et al.  A new high-performance 3D multiphase flow code to simulate volcanic blasts and pyroclastic density currents: example from the Boxing Day event, Montserrat , 2005 .

[2]  Izumi Hachisu,et al.  A numerical study of turbulent mixing in eruption clouds using a three-dimensional fluid dynamics model , 2005 .

[3]  R. Sulpizio,et al.  A complex, Subplinian-type eruption from low-viscosity, phonolitic to tephri-phonolitic magma: the AD 472 (Pollena) eruption of Somma-Vesuvius, Italy , 2005 .

[4]  A. Neri,et al.  The impacts of pyroclastic surges on buildings at the eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat , 2005 .

[5]  Y. Ishimine.  Numerical study of pyroclastic surges , 2005 .

[6]  Colin J. N. Wilson,et al.  Pyroclastic Density Currents and the Sedimentation of Ignimbrites , 2005 .

[7]  Willy P Aspinall,et al.  Volcanic Activity: Frontiers and Challenges in Forecasting, Prediction and Risk Assessment , 2013 .

[8]  William I. Rose,et al.  Numerical modeling of geophysical granular flows: 2. Computer simulations of plinian clouds and pyroclastic flows and surges , 2004 .

[9]  R. Isaia,et al.  Turbulent boundary layer shear flows as an approximation of base surges at Campi Flegrei (Southern Italy) , 2004 .

[10]  Robin Spence,et al.  Resistance of Buildings to Pyroclastic Flows: Analytical and Experimental Studies and Their Application to Vesuvius , 2004 .

[11]  R. Cioni,et al.  Variability of the eruption dynamics during a Subplinian event: the Greenish Pumice eruption of Somma–Vesuvius (Italy) , 2003 .

[12]  Dimitri Gidaspow,et al.  Multiparticle simulation of collapsing volcanic columns and pyroclastic flow , 2003 .

[13]  A. Neri,et al.  Pyroclastic flow hazard assessment at Vesuvius (Italy) by using numerical modeling. I. Large-scale dynamics , 2002 .

[14]  B. Voight,et al.  Transient dynamics of vulcanian explosions and column collapse , 2002, Nature.

[15]  R. Blong,et al.  Volcano Fatalities--Lessons from the Historical Record , 2001, Science.

[16]  Michael Herzog,et al.  Volcanic plume simulation on large scales , 1998 .

[17]  R. Sparks,et al.  The Physics of Explosive Volcanic Eruptions , 1998 .

[18]  T. Druitt.  Pyroclastic density currents , 1998, Geological Society, London, Special Publications.

[19]  A. Woods,et al.  The dynamics and thermodynamics of large ash flows , 1996 .

[20]  D. Gidaspow.  Multiphase Flow and Fluidization: Continuum and Kinetic Theory Descriptions , 1994 .

[21]  Micol Todesco,et al.  Assessing the pyroclastic flow hazard at Vesuvius , 1994, Nature.

[22]  M. Rosi,et al.  The 1631 Vesuvius eruption. A reconstruction based on historical and stratigraphical data , 1993 .

[23]  Augusto Neri,et al.  NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF COLLAPSING VOLCANIC COLUMNS , 1993 .

[24]  Greg A. Valentine,et al.  Numerical models of Plinian eruption columns and pyroclastic flows , 1989 .

[25]  E. M. Jones,et al.  Hydrodynamic aspects of caldera‐forming eruptions: Numerical models , 1984 .

[26]  M C Malin,et al.  Computer-Assisted Mapping of Pyroclastic Surges , 1982, Science.

[27]  L. Wilson,et al.  THEORETICAL MODELING OF THE GENERATION, MOVEMENT, AND EMPLACEMENT , 1978 .