A step-by-step evaluation of empirical methods to quantify eruption source parameters from tephra-fall deposits

27Citations
Citations of this article
47Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

This paper describes the step-by-step process of characterizing tephra-fall deposits based on isopach, isomass and isopleth maps as well as thickness transects at different distances from their source. It covers the most frequently used empirical methods of integration (i.e., exponential, power-law and Weibull) and provides a description of the key physical parameters that can be retrieved from tephra-fall deposits. To streamline this process, a Matlab function called TephraFits is proposed, which is highly customizable and also guides the interpretation of the results. The function calculates parameters such as the deposit volume/mass, the VEI/magnitude, and the rates of thickness-decay away from the source and assists in eruption classification using deposit-based schemes. The function also contains a stochastic mode that can be used to propagate the uncertainty from field data to the quantification of eruption source parameters. The use of this function is demonstrated using the the 1180 ±80 years B.P. andesitic subplinian/Plinian tephra deposit Layer 5 of Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador. In addition, we constrain the often delicate choice of the distal integration limit of the power-law method from synthetic deposits produced with the advection-diffusion model Tephra2.

References Powered by Scopus

The volcanic explosivity index ( VEI): an estimate of explosive magnitude for historical volcanism.

1466Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The thickness, volume and grainsize of tephra fall deposits

670Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Quantitative models of the fallout and dispersal of tephra from volcanic eruption columns

579Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Physical Characterization of Long-Lasting Hybrid Eruptions: The 2021 Tajogaite Eruption of Cumbre Vieja (La Palma, Canary Islands)

51Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Evidence for geologically recent explosive volcanism in Elysium Planitia, Mars

50Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Remotely assessing tephra fall building damage and vulnerability: Kelud Volcano, Indonesia

25Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Biass, S., Bonadonna, C., & Houghton, B. F. (2019). A step-by-step evaluation of empirical methods to quantify eruption source parameters from tephra-fall deposits. Journal of Applied Volcanology, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-018-0081-1

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 21

55%

Researcher 14

37%

Professor / Associate Prof. 3

8%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Earth and Planetary Sciences 34

92%

Environmental Science 2

5%

Physics and Astronomy 1

3%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free