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The morphology and evolution of the Stromboli 2002–2003 lava flow field: an example of a basaltic flow field emplaced on a steep slope

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Abstract

The use of a hand-held thermal camera during the 2002–2003 Stromboli effusive eruption proved essential in tracking the development of flow field structures and in measuring related eruption parameters, such as the number of active vents and flow lengths. The steep underlying slope on which the flow field was emplaced resulted in a characteristic flow field morphology. This comprised a proximal shield, where flow stacking and inflation caused piling up of lava on the relatively flat ground of the vent zone, that fed a medial–distal lava flow field. This zone was characterized by the formation of lava tubes and tumuli forming a complex network of tumuli and flows linked by tubes. Most of the flow field was emplaced on extremely steep slopes and this had two effects. It caused flows to slide, as well as flow, and flow fronts to fail frequently, persistent flow front crumbling resulted in the production of an extensive debris field. Channel-fed flows were also characterized by development of excavated debris levees in this zone (Calvari et al. 2005). Collapse of lava flow fronts and inflation of the upper proximal lava shield made volume calculation very difficult. Comparison of the final field volume with that expecta by integrating the lava effusion rates through time suggests a loss of ~70% erupted lava by flow front crumbling and accumulation as debris flows below sea level. Derived relationships between effusion rate, flow length, and number of active vents showed systematic and correlated variations with time where spreading of volume between numerous flows caused an otherwise good correlation between effusion rate, flow length to break down. Observations collected during this eruption are useful in helping to understand lava flow processes on steep slopes, as well as in interpreting old lava–debris sequences found in other steep-sided volcanoes subject to effusive activity.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to all colleagues of INGV from Catania, Palermo, Napoli, Roma, and Milano that helped during monitoring as well as to Maurizio Ripepe (University of Florence) for extensive discussions, as well as the Air Walser and Civil Protection helicopter pilots that made our data collection possible. Massimo Cascone is thanked for his help with figure preparation. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the Italian Civil Protection Department to our activities. SC, LL, and LS wish to thank Alessandro Bonaccorso, Giovanni Macedonio, and Enzo Boschi for continuous support and encouragement throughout the eruption. AJLH, JD, and MP were funded by INGV-Catania, NSF grant EAR-0207734 and the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia–Sezione di Catania, Piazza Roma 2, 95123, Catania, Italy

    L. Lodato, L. Spampinato & S. Calvari

  2. Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    L. Spampinato

  3. HIGP/SOEST, University of Hawai’i, Honolulu, HI, USA

    A. Harris & M. Patrick

  4. Alaska Volcano Observatory, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, USA

    J. Dehn

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  1. L. Lodato
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  2. L. Spampinato
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  3. A. Harris
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  4. S. Calvari
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  5. J. Dehn
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  6. M. Patrick
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Correspondence to L. Lodato.

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Editorial responsibility: A. Woods

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Lodato, L., Spampinato, L., Harris, A. et al. The morphology and evolution of the Stromboli 2002–2003 lava flow field: an example of a basaltic flow field emplaced on a steep slope. Bull Volcanol 69, 661–679 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-006-0101-6

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