dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaLava channel formation during the 2001 eruption on Mount Etna: evidence for mechanical erosion
| Authors | Carmelo Ferlito, Jens Siewert |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0512125 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0512125 |
| DOI | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.028501 |
Abstract
We report the direct observation of a peculiar lava channel that was formed near the base of a parasitic cone during the 2001 eruption on Mount Etna. Erosive processes by flowing lava are commonly attributed to thermal erosion. However, field evidence strongly suggests that models of thermal erosion cannot explain the formation of this channel. Here, we put forward the idea that the essential erosion mechanism was abrasive wear. By applying a simple model from tribology we demonstrate that the available data agree favorably with our hypothesis. Consequently, we propose that erosional processes resembling the wear phenomena in glacial erosion are possible in a volcanic environment.
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"abstract": "We report the direct observation of a peculiar lava channel that was formed\nnear the base of a parasitic cone during the 2001 eruption on Mount Etna.\nErosive processes by flowing lava are commonly attributed to thermal erosion.\nHowever, field evidence strongly suggests that models of thermal erosion cannot\nexplain the formation of this channel. Here, we put forward the idea that the\nessential erosion mechanism was abrasive wear. By applying a simple model from\ntribology we demonstrate that the available data agree favorably with our\nhypothesis. Consequently, we propose that erosional processes resembling the\nwear phenomena in glacial erosion are possible in a volcanic environment.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0512125",
"authors": [
"Carmelo Ferlito",
"Jens Siewert"
],
"categories": [
"physics.geo-ph",
"cond-mat.other",
"physics.gen-ph"
],
"doi": "10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.028501",
"title": "Lava channel formation during the 2001 eruption on Mount Etna: evidence for mechanical erosion",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0512125"
},
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