ISSN:
1432-0819
Keywords:
Key words: Lava flow field
;
Landsat Thematic Mapper
;
flux density map
;
Kilauea
;
lava tubes
;
east rift zone
;
flow emplacement chronology
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
Notes:
Abstract. A Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image acquired on 23 July 1991 recorded widespread activity associated with the Episode 48 of the Pu'u 'O'o–Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. The scene contains a very large number (〉3500) of thermally elevated near infrared (0.8–2.35 μm) pixels (each ∼900 m2), which enable the spatial distribution of volcanic activity to be identified. This activity includes a lava lake within Pu'u 'O'o cone, an active lava tube system (∼7.9 km in length) with skylights between the Kupaianaha lava shield and several ocean entry points, and extensive active surface flows (total area of ∼1.3 km2) within a much larger area of cooling flows (total ∼16 km2). The production of an 'average flux density map' from the TM data of the flow field, wherein the average flux density is defined in units of W m–2, allows for the chronology of emplacement of active and cooling flows to be determined. The flux density map reveals that there were at least three breakouts (〉5000 W m–2) feeding active flows, but on the day that the data were collected the TM recorded a waning phase of surface activity in this area, based on the relatively large amount of intermediate power-emitting (cooling) flows compared to high power-emitting (active) flows. The production of a comparable flux density map for future eruptions would aid in the assessment of volcanic hazards if the data were available in near-real time.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00302081
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