A laboratory volcano (1): application to Kilauea
1) Fire fountain:
Height H
gas velocity
duration
gas volume = velocity x surface x time
H: fire fountain
height
g: acceleration of
gravity
H = 400 m
velocity = 100 m/s
kinetic energy is transferred to
potential
energy (ballistic
approximation):
gas flux at vent
gas flux at vent = velocity x surface = gas volume / time
velocity = (2 g H)1/2
Fire fountain
during
Puu o’O
eruption
(Kilauea, Hawaii)