Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Base surge in recent volcanic eruptions

  • Deuxieme Partie Contribution Envoyées Au Bulletin Volcanologique
  • Published:
Bulletin Volcanologique Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A base surge, first identified at the Bikini thermonuclear undersea explosion, is a ring-shaped basal cloud that sweeps outward as a density flow from the base of a vertical explosion column. Base surges are also common in shallow underground test explosions and are formed by expanding gases which first vent vertically and then with continued expansion rush over the crater lip (represented by a large solitary wave in an underwater explosion), tear ejecta from it, and feed a gas-charged density flow, which is the surge cloud. This horizontally moving cloud commonly has an initial velocity of more than 50 meters per second and can carry clastic material many kilometers.

Base surges are a common feature of many recent shallow, submarine and phreatic volcanic eruptions. They transport ash, mud, lapilli, and blocks with great velocity and commonly sandblast and knock down trees and houses, coat the blast side with mud, and deposit ejecta at distances beyond the limits of throw-out trajectories. Close to the eruption center, the base surge can erode radial channels and deposit material with dune-type bedding.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Day, A. L., andAllen, E. T., 1925 —The volcanic activity and hot springs of Lassen Peak. Carnegie Inst. of Washington, 190 pp.

  • Glasstone, Samuel (Editor), 1950 —The effects of atomic weapons. Los Alamos, N. M., Los Alamos Sci. Lab., U. S. Atomic Energy Comm., 456 pp.

  • Knox, J. B., andRohrer, R., 1963 —Project Pre-Buggy-Base surgeanalysis. Calif. Univ., Livermore, Lawrence Radiation Lab., PNE-304, 37 pp.

  • Machado, Frederico, Parsons, W. H., Richards, A. F., andMulford, J. W., 1962 - Capelinhos eruption of Fayal Volcano, Azores, 1957–1958. Jour. Geophys. Research, vol. 67, no. 9, pp. 3519–3529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moure, J. G., 1966 -Base surge at 1965 eruption of Taal Volcano, Philippines (Abstract). Am. Geophy. Union Trans., vol. 47, no. 1, p. 194.

    Google Scholar 

  • —————, andAlcaraz, A., 1966-The 1965 eruption of Taal Volcano, Science, vol. 151, no. 3713, pp. 955–960.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • , andPeck, D. L., 1962 —Accretionary lapilli in volcanic rocks of the western United States. Jour. Geology, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 182–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morimoto, Rhyohei, 1960 -Submarine eruption of the Myojin reef. Bull. Volc., Ser. 2, t. 23, pp. 23, pp. 151-160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niino, Hiroshi, 1954 —Report on the submarine eruption of Myojin-sho. Tokyo Univ. Fisheries, printed by Kokusai Bunken Insatsusha, Tokyo, 32 pp.

  • Nordyke, M. D., andWilliamson, M. M., 1965 —The Sedan event. Calif. Univ., Livermore, Lawrence Radiation Lab., PNE-242F, 114 pp.

  • Richards, A. F., 1959 -Geology of the Islas Revillagigedo, Mexico, 1. Birth and development of Volcan Bárcena, Isla San Benedicto (1), Bull. Volc., ser. 2, t. 22, pp. 73–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, W. D., 1964 —Geologic study of the Sedan nuclear crater. Calif. Univ., Mercury, Nev., Lawrence radiation Lab., PNE-24OF, 44 pp.

  • Roberts, W. A., andCarlson, R. H., 1962 —Ejecta studies -Project Sedan, Calif. Univ., Livermore, Lawrence Radiation Lab., PNE-217P, 62 pp.

  • Rohrer, Robert, 1965 —Base surge and cloud formation — Project pre-Schooner, Calif. Univ., Lívermore, Lawrence Radiation Lab., PNE-503F, 10 pp.

  • Shoemaker, E. M. 1960 —Penetration mechanics of high velocity meteorites, illustrated by Meteor Crater, Arizona, 21st Internat. Geol. Congr. Rept., Copenhagen 1960, pt. 18, pp. 418–434.

  • Stehn, Ch. E., 1929 —The geology and volcanism of the Krakatan Group, pt. 1 inKrakatau. 4th Pacific Sci. Congr., Batavia and Bandong, pp. 1–55.

  • Thorarinsson, S., Einarsson, Th., Sigvaldason, G., andElisson, G., 1964 -The submarine cruption off the Vestmann Islands, 1963–64. Bull. Volc., v. 27, pp. 434–445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, G. A., 1965 a —Micrometeorological phenomena of underwater nuclear explasions. White Oak, Md., U.S. Naval Ordnance Lab., AD-614814, 37.

  • Young, G. A., 1965 b —The physics of the base-surge. White Oak, Md. U.S. Naval Ordnance Lab., AD-618733, 294 pp.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California

    J. G. Moore

Authors
  1. J. G. Moore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Publication authorized by the Director, U.S. Geological Survey.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Moore, J.G. Base surge in recent volcanic eruptions. Bull Volcanol 30, 337–363 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02597678

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02597678

Keywords

Search

Navigation