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Flow behavior of large-scale pyroclastic flows — Evidence obtained from petrofabric analysis

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Abstract

The grain orientations within the matrix of two large-scale welded, two small-scale nonwelded and two nonwelded low-aspect ratio pyroclastic flow deposits are measured to analyze flow behavior. Preferred grain alignments are especially apparent in the middle part of layer 2 of each deposit. Preferred grain alignments do not vary laterally within a 10 m interval. The grain alignments obtained are radial from the source caldera, especially in proximal to medial and plateau-forming facies of pyroclastic flow deposits. Grain alignments are controlled by valley-channel directions for the valley-ponded facies of pyroclastic flow deposits, especially at medial to distal locations. Such local topographic factors strongly affect the data for high-aspect ratio and smallscale deposits, and weakly affect the data for widespread low-aspect ratio pyroclastic flow deposits. This work suggests that grain alignment analysis should be used with care when attempting to determine the location of an unknown source.

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Author notes

  1. Rumi Matsusue

    Present address: Faculty of Education, Kobe University, 3-11, Tsurukabuto, Nada-ku, 657, Kobe, Japan

  2. Kei Fujita

    Present address: Nomura Securities Co. Ltd., 1-9-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, 103, Tokyo, Japan

  3. Hideya Metsugi

    Present address: Metal Mining Agency, 1-24-14, Toranomon, Minato-ku, 105, Tokyo, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kobe University, 1-1, Rokkodai, Nada-ku, 657, Kobe, Japan

    Tadahide Ui, Keiko Suzuki-Kamata, Rumi Matsusue, Kei Fujita, Hideya Metsugi & Mami Araki

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  1. Tadahide Ui
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  2. Keiko Suzuki-Kamata
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  3. Rumi Matsusue
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  4. Kei Fujita
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  5. Hideya Metsugi
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  6. Mami Araki
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Ui, T., Suzuki-Kamata, K., Matsusue, R. et al. Flow behavior of large-scale pyroclastic flows — Evidence obtained from petrofabric analysis. Bull Volcanol 51, 115–122 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01081980

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01081980

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