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Numerical simulation of basaltic lava flows in the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand—implication for volcanic hazard assessment

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Abstract

Monogenetic volcanic fields, such as the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF), New Zealand, are common on the Earth’s surface and are typically dominated by basaltic lava flows up to 10 s of km long. In monogenetic volcanic fields located in close proximity to human population and infrastructure, lava flows are a significant threat. In this study, lava flow emplacement conditions for some basaltic eruptions of the AVF were reconstructed using the thermo-rheological MAGFLOW model. Eight existing lava flows in the AVF were simulated using MAGFLOW and eruptive volumes measured from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived digital terrain models (DTMs). Fitting the simulations to the dimensions of actual lava flows provides insight into their emplacement mechanisms and conditions, such as effusion rate, and probable eruption durations. By looking at emplacement in different settings, the likely magma ascent rate for studied AVF eruptions is calculated to have been on the order of 0.1 m/s. In the AVF, the typical estimated duration of past lava flows was from a minimum of 2 days for small-volume flows, such as Little Rangitoto (0.0015 km3), up to 83 days for large volume flows, such as Three Kings (0.078 km3). The three best-fitting simulations were used to establish eruption scenarios for future volcanic hazard mapping for the AVF. Inferences of eruption duration that will be useful for developing realistic emergency management plans and recovery scenarios for this densely populated volcanic field are also provided.

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Acknowledgments

GK thanks the Institute of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University (New Zealand) for a PhD research scholarship. This work was supported by the FRST-IIOF project ‘Facing the challenge of Auckland’s volcanism’, as well as the New Zealand Natural Hazards Research Platform project ‘Living with Volcanic Risk’. We also gratefully acknowledge funding support from Jan Lindsay and the DEtermining VOlcanic Risk in Auckland (DEVORA), project co-funded by the NZ Earthquake Commission (EQC) and the Auckland City Council. This work was also developed within the framework of TecnoLab, the Laboratory for Technological Advance in Volcano Geophysics at the INGV in Catania. GK is thankful for the support of his hosts at the INGV in Catania, Italy. The Executive Editor, James White, the Associate Editor, Michael Manga, one anonymous reviewer and Scott Rowland are acknowledged for their constructive and supportive comments that helped us significantly improve the manuscript.

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  1. Volcanic Risk Solutions, Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Gábor Kereszturi, Jonathan Procter, Károly Németh & Shane J. Cronin

  2. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Catania, Piazza Roma 2, 95125, Catania, Italy

    Annalisa Cappello, Gaetana Ganci & Ciro Del Negro

  3. New Zealand Centre for Precision Agriculture, Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Gábor Kereszturi

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  1. Gábor Kereszturi
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Kereszturi, G., Cappello, A., Ganci, G. et al. Numerical simulation of basaltic lava flows in the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand—implication for volcanic hazard assessment. Bull Volcanol 76, 879 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-014-0879-6

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