Forward Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) cameras offer a unique view of explosive volcanism by providing an image of calibrated temperatures. In this study, 344 eruptive events at Stromboli volcano, Italy, were imaged in 2001-2004 with a FLIR camera operating at up to 30 Hz. The FLIR was effective at revealing both ash plumes and coarse ballistic scoria, and a wide range of eruption styles was recorded. Eruptions at Stromboli can generally be classified into two groups: Type 1 eruptions, which are dominated by coarse ballistic particles, and Type 2 eruptions, which consist of an optically-thick, ash-rich plume, with (Type 2a) or without (Type 2b) large numbers of ballistic particles. Furthermore, Type 2a plumes exhibited gas thrust velocities (>15 m s −1 ) while Type 2b plumes were limited to buoyant velocities (<15 m s −1 ) above the crater rim. A given vent would normally maintain a particular gross eruption style (Type 1 vs. 2) for days to weeks, indicating stability of the uppermost conduit on these timescales. Velocities at the crater rim had a range of 3-101 m s −1 , with an overall mean value of 24 m s −1 . Mean crater rim velocities by eruption style were: Type 1= 34 m s −1 , Type 2a=31 m s −1 , Type 2b=7 m s −1 . Eruption durations had a range of 6-41 s, with a mean of 15 s, similar among eruption styles. The ash in Type 2 eruptions originates from either backfilled material (crater wall slumping or ejecta rollback) or rheological changes in the uppermost magma column. Type 2a and 2b behaviors are shown to be a function of the overpressure of the bursting slug. In general, our imaging data support a broadening of the current paradigm for strombolian behavior, incorporating an uppermost conduit that can be more variable than is commonly considered.

Measurement of effusion rate is a primary objective for studies that model lava flow and magma system dynamics, as well as for monitoring efforts during on-going eruptions. However, its exact definition remains a source of confusion, and problems occur when comparing volume flux values that are averaged over different time periods or spatial scales, or measured using different approaches. Thus our aims are to: (1) define effusion rate terminology; and (2) assess the various measurement methods and their results. We first distinguish between instantaneous effusion rate, and time-averaged discharge rate. Eruption rate is next defined as the total volume of lava emplaced since the beginning of the eruption divided by the time since the eruption began. The ultimate extension of this is mean output rate, this being the final volume of erupted lava divided by total eruption duration. Whether these values are total values, i.e. the flux feeding all flow units across the entire flow field, or local, i.e. the flux feeding a single active unit within a flow field across which many units are active, also needs to be specified. No approach is without its problems, and all can have large error (up to ∼50%). However, good agreement between diverse approaches shows that reliable estimates can be made if each approach is applied carefully and takes into account the caveats we detail here. There are three important factors to consider and state when measuring, giving or using an effusion rate. First, the time-period over which the value was averaged; second, whether the measurement applies to the entire active flow field, or a single lava flow within that field; and third, the measurement technique and its accompanying assumptions.

[1] Effusive activity at Stromboli is uncommon, and the 2002-2003 flank eruption gave us the opportunity to observe and analyze a number of complex volcanic processes. In particular, the use of a handheld thermal camera during the eruption allowed us to monitor the volcano even in difficult weather and operating conditions. Regular helicopter-borne surveys with the thermal camera throughout the eruption have significantly improved (1) mapping of active lava flows; (2) detection of new cracks, landslide scars, and obstructions forming within and on the flanks of active craters; (3) observation of active lava flow field features, such as location of new vents, tube systems, tumuli, and hornitos; (4) identification of active vent migration along the Sciara del Fuoco; (5) monitoring of crater's inner morphology and maximum temperature, revealing magma level changes within the feeding conduit; and (6) detection of lava flow field endogenous growth. Additionally, a new system developed by A. J. L. Harris and others has been applied to our thermal data, allowing daily calculation of effusion rate. These observations give us new insights on the mechanisms controlling the volcanic system.

An open channel lava flow on Mt. Etna (Sicily) was observed during May [30][31] 2001. Data collected using a forward looking infrared (FLIR) thermal camera and a Minolta-Land Cyclops 300 thermal infrared thermometer showed that the bulk volume flux of lava flowing in the channel varied greatly over time. Cyclic changes in the channel's volumetric flow rate occurred over several hours, with cycle durations of 113-190 min, and discharges peaking at 0.7 m 3 s −1 and waning to 0.1 m 3 s −1 . Each cycle was characterized by a relatively short, high-volume flux phase during which a pulse of lava, with a well-defined flow front, would propagate down-channel, followed by a period of waning flow during which volume flux lowered. Pulses involved lava moving at relatively high velocities (up to 0.29 m s −1 ) and were related to some change in the flow conditions occurring up-channel, possibly at the vent. They implied either a change in the dense rock effusion rate at the source vent and/or cyclic-variation in the vesicle content of the lava changing its bulk volume flux. Pulses would generally overspill the channel to emplace pāhoehoe overflows.Editorial responsibility: A. Woods During periods of waning flow, velocities fell to 0.05 m s -1 . Blockages forming during such phases caused lava to back up. Occasionally backup resulted in overflows of slow moving 'a'ā that would advance a few tens of meters down the levee flank. Compound levees were thus a symptom of unsteady flow, where overflow levees were emplaced as relatively fast moving pāhoehoe sheets during pulses, and as slow-moving 'a'ā units during backup. Small, localized fluctuations in channel volume flux also occurred on timescales of minutes. Volumes of lava backed up behind blockages that formed at constrictions in the channel. Blockage collapse and/or enhanced flow under/around the blockage would then feed short-lived, wave-like, downchannel surges. Real fluctuations in channel volume flux, due to pulses and surges, can lead to significant errors in effusion rate calculations.

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A tephrochronology of the past 5 Ma is constructed with ash layers recovered from Neogene sediments during drilling at ODP Leg 121 Site 758 on northern Ninetyeast Ridge. The several hundred tephra layers observed in the first 80 m of cores range in thickness from a few millimeters to 34 cm. Seventeen tephra layers, at least 1 cm thick, were sampled and analyzed for major elements. Relative ages for the ash layers are estimated from the paleomagnetic and δ 18 θ chronostratigraphy. The ash layers comprise about 1.7% by volume of the sediments recovered in the first 72 m. The median grain size of the ashes is about 75 µm, with a maximum of 150 µm. The ash consists of rhyolitic bubble junction and pumice glass shards. Blocky and platy shards are in even proportion (10%-30%) and are dominated by bubble wall shards (70%-90%). The crystal content of the layers is always less than 2%, with Plagioclase and alkali feldspar present in nearly every layer. Biotite was observed only in the thickest layers.The major element compositions of glass and feldspar reflect fractionation trends. Three groupings of ash layers suggest different provenances with distinct magmatic systems. Dating by δ 18 θ and paleomagnetic reversals suggests major marine ash-layer-producing eruptions (marine tephra layers > 1 cm in thickness) occur roughly every approximately 414,000 yr. This value correlates well with landbased studies and dates of Pleistocene Sumatran tuffs (average 375,000-yr eruptive interval). Residence times of the magmatic systems defined by geochemical trends are 1.583, 2.524, and 1.399 Ma. The longest time interval starts with the least differentiated magma.The Sunda Arc, specifically Sumatra, is inferred to be the source region for the ashes. Four of the youngest five ash layers recovered correlate in time and in major element chemistry to ashes observed on land at the Toba caldera.

The use of a hand-held thermal camera during the 2002-2003 Stromboli effusive eruption proved essential in tracking the development of flow field structures and in measuring related eruption parameters, such as the number of active vents and flow lengths. The steep underlying slope on which the flow field was emplaced resulted in a characteristic flow field morphology. This comprised a proximal shield, where flow stacking and inflation caused piling up of lava on the relatively flat ground of the vent zone, that fed a medial-distal lava flow field. This zone was characterized by the formation of lava tubes and tumuli forming a complex network of tumuli and flows linked by tubes. Most of the flow field was emplaced on extremely steep slopes and this had two effects. It caused flows to slide, as well as flow, and flow fronts to fail frequently, persistent flow front crumbling resulted in the production of an extensive debris field. Channel-fed flows were also characterized by development of excavated debris levees in this zone . Collapse of lava flow fronts and inflation of the upper proximal lava shield made volume calculation very difficult. Comparison of the final field volume with that expecta by integrating the lava effusion rates through time suggests a loss of~70% erupted lava by flow front crumbling and accumulation as debris flows below sea level. Derived relationships between effusion rate, flow length, and number of active vents showed systematic and correlated variations with time where spreading of volume between numerous flows caused an otherwise good correlation between effusion rate, flow length to break down. Observations collected during this eruption are useful in helping to understand lava flow processes on steep slopes, as well as in interpreting old lava-debris sequences found in other steep-sided volcanoes subject to effusive activity.

[1] Throughout February and March of 1997 Okmok Volcano, in the eastern Aleutian Islands of Alaska, erupted a 6 km long lava flow of basaltic 'a'a within its caldera. A numerical model for lava flow cooling was developed and applied to the flow to better understand the nature of its cooling. Radiation and convection from the surface, as well as conduction to the ground, were used to transport the flow's heat to its surroundings in the model. Internally, a conduction-only approach moved heat from the interior outward. Vesiculation, latent heat generation, and thermal conductivity changes with temperature are among the other factors that were dynamically accounted for. Results indicate that ambient temperature fluctuations, on the scale of days to weeks, must be taken into account to create an accurate short-term prediction of lava surface temperature. Daily data of rainfall and ambient temperature, as opposed to yearly averages, greatly increased the accuracy of the model. Furthermore, convective cooling of the lava surface was observed to be a dominant heat loss process during the first 200 days, indicating the convective heat transfer coefficient is a prime determinant of the accuracy of the model for predicting surface temperatures. Over a longer cooling period (2 years), thermal conductivity and porosity proved to be among the dominating factors for heat loss because of the limiting role of conductive heat flow in the interior. The model's flexibility allows application to flows other than the 1997 Okmok eruption.