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Roof-rock contamination of magma along the top of the reservoir for the Bishop Tuff Roof-rock contamination of magma along the top of the reservoir for the Bishop Tuff

The Bishop Tuff, a Quaternary high-silica rhyolite in east-central California, is widely considered the type example of a vertically and monotonically zoned pyroclastic deposit that represents zoning in the source magma reservoir, inverted during the process of pyroclastic emplacement. However, the deposit of plinian pumice, which forms the base of the Bishop Tuff and represents the...
Authors
W. A. Duffield, J. Ruiz, J.D. Webster

Frequent outburst floods from South Tahoma Glacier, Mount Rainier, USA: Relation to debris flows, meteorological origin, and implications for subglacial hydrology Frequent outburst floods from South Tahoma Glacier, Mount Rainier, USA: Relation to debris flows, meteorological origin, and implications for subglacial hydrology

Destructive debris flows occur frequently at glacierized Mount Rainier volcano, Washington, U.S.A. Twenty-three such flows have occurred in the Tahoma Creek valley since 1967. Hydrologic and geomorphic evidence indicate that all or nearly all of these flows began as outburst floods from South Tahoma Glacier. Flood waters are stored subglacially. The volume of stored water discharged...
Authors
J. S. Walder, C. L. Driedger

The USGS/OFDA Volcano Disaster Assistance Program The USGS/OFDA Volcano Disaster Assistance Program

An erupting volcano is one of nature's truly spectacular sights. From a distance, or perhaps through the cameras of the news media, we often observe roiling mushroom clouds of ash or flows of incandescent lava issuing from the volcano's throat. If, however, you happen to live near that erupting volcano, your life or livelihood may be endangered and your property at risk of destruction a...
Authors
J.W. Ewert, C.D. Miller

Volcano seismology, hazards assessment Volcano seismology, hazards assessment

The last few years have seen several impressive examples of seismic monitoring at volcanoes to provide warnings that have saved lives and property. Changes in the rates and character of volcanic earthquakes provided precursory signs to explosive eruptions of moderate size at Redoubt volcano (Alaska), Mount Unzen (Japan), Mount Spurr (Alaska), and Rabaul caldera (Papua New Guinea), as...
Authors
J. Mori

Thermodynamics of gas and steam-blast eruptions Thermodynamics of gas and steam-blast eruptions

Eruptions of gas or steam and non-juvenile debris are common in volcanic and hydrothermal areas. From reports of non-juvenile eruptions or eruptive sequences world-wide, at least three types (or end-members) can be identified: (1) those involving rock and liquid water initially at boiling-point temperatures (‘boiling-point eruptions’); (2) those powered by gas (primarily water vapor) at...
Authors
L.G. Mastin

Episode 49 of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō-Kūpaianaha eruption of Kilauea volcano-breakdown of a steady-state eruptive era Episode 49 of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō-Kūpaianaha eruption of Kilauea volcano-breakdown of a steady-state eruptive era

The Pu'u 'O'o-Kupaianaha eruption (1983-present) is the longest lived rift eruption of either Kilauea or neighboring Mauna Loa in recorded history. The initial fissure opening in January 1983 was followed by three years of episodic fire fountaining at the Pu'u 'O'o vent on Kilauea's east rift zone ∼19km from the summit (episodes 4–47). These spectacular events gave way in July 1986 to...
Authors
M. T. Mangan, C. C. Heliker, T. N. Mattox, J. P. Kauahikaua, Rosalind Tuthill Helz

Giant blocks in the South Kona landslide, Hawaii Giant blocks in the South Kona landslide, Hawaii

A large field of blocky sea-floor hills, up to 10 km long and 500 m high, are gigantic slide blocks derived from the west flank of Mauna Loa volcano on the island of Hawaii. These megablocks are embedded in the toe of the South Kona landslide, which extends ∼80 km seaward from the present coastline to depths of nearly 5 km. A 10–15-km-wide belt of numerous, smaller, 1–3-km-long slide...
Authors
J.G. Moore, W.B. Bryan, M.H. Beeson, W. R. Normark
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