Constraining Heat Transfer and Melt Water Production Processes of Lava-Ice Interactions

Project Objectives

•Replicate surface and subglacial lava-ice interactions using small scale laboratory experiments.

•Measure heat transfer and meltwater production resulting from lava-ice interactions. Tests will also include adding varying basalt sediment grains to determine possible insulating effects.

•Analyze final lava texture to better understand geologic features associated with glaciovolcanic events.

Data and Results

•Basalt samples are either heated to 600℃ for preliminary “hot rock” tests or heated to 1200℃ until fully melted.  The samples are carefully placed or poured onto the ice block or placed on a steel plate which is inserted at at the bottom of the basket and the ice block placed on top

•Experiments will be conducted with both pure-ice and sediment bearing ice

•Temperature probes are applied to varying locations, commonly including: The meltwater collection bucket, the rock exterior, and the rock interior via drill hole

•Rock/lava temperatures and weight of melt water are recorded over time

Significance

•Glaciovolcanism has major implications for both human populations as well as landforms/land formation, but are impossible to study in their initial stages as they occur under ice cover. Studying these types of events in controlled lab settings can help us better understand the hazards (such as flooding from meltwater production) and subsequent landforms associated with lava-ice interactions.

Publication or Conference

None at this time

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Center for Geological and Climate Hazards

Interdisciplinary Research Experience for Undergraduates in Atmospheric and Geological Hazards