Christopher Kilburn - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Christopher Kilburn

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2018

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Mar 1, 1995

Springer eBooks, 1985

Used in the nineteenth century as a cornerstone for the ‘Craters-of-Elevation’ hypothesis (Chapte... more Used in the nineteenth century as a cornerstone for the ‘Craters-of-Elevation’ hypothesis (Chapter 1), the fact that the fronts of some of Etna’s solidified lavas may be seen resting upon steep slopes, with dips of up to at least 35°, has since helped to initiate a fundamental advance in the understanding of lava flow evolution. Implicit in the earlier association between lava attitudes and ‘Craters-of-Elevation’ was the assumption that lavas, like large bodies of water, would continue to flow down an incline until being ponded behind an obstacle or within a depression, or until reaching a horizontal surface. In support of this contention, De Beaumont (1834) cited active Etnean lavas as examples of those which had been rarely observed to consolidate upon slopes with angles greater than 5° and which, in passing over steeper gradients, left behind only superficial veneers of solidified lava or coatings of scoriaceous debris. Hence the existence of old lavas lying on steep slopes was presented by De Beaumont as evidence that the underlying surface had been tilted to a higher angle after the emplacement of the flows.

Springer eBooks, 1996

Subaerial lava flows and flow fields show a restricted range of evolutionary sequences. The seque... more Subaerial lava flows and flow fields show a restricted range of evolutionary sequences. The sequences are related to the traditional classification of pahoehoe, aa and blocky lava, and each is distinguished by a characteristic association of morphological and dynamical features. These features, which include crustal growth and morphology, the formation of lava channels and tubes, the rate and style of flow advance, and the shape and emplacement time of a complete flow field, link processes operating over distances and time intervals that differ from each other by several orders of magnitude. Such links suggest that local observations on newly forming flows (e.g. styles of crustal development) might be sufficient for long-term forecasts of flow growth. The characteristic sequences reflect specific balances between the changing gravitational and pressure forces driving advance and increases in flow resistance due to solidification. The simplest emplacement regime is associated with aa flows, which persistently break their crusts during advance. Constrained by the condition for persistent crustal failure, first-order models provide good descriptions of aa growth trends, as well as a physical basis for forecasting flow behaviour. In particular, they permit estimates of maximum potential flow length and lengthening time from only the mean slope along the expected course of a flow.

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2016

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2016

The morphology of a lava flow is strongly influenced by its rheological structure. The rheologica... more The morphology of a lava flow is strongly influenced by its rheological structure. The rheological structure is, in turn, dependent on numerous factors including: (1) bulk composition, (2) crystallingity, (3) vesicularity, and (4) crustal development. Identifying which of the latter factors are most significant, and hence most readily investigated by remote-sensing techniques, is necessary to clarify short-term objectives and expectations from the study of Martian lava flows. Insights into the rheological controls on flow morphology are provided by variations in thickness of undrained lava streams on Etna and Vesuvius, Southern Italy. Both pahoehoe and aa lavas were studied.

Although Etna is best known for its outpourings of aa lava accompanied by strombolian explosions,... more Although Etna is best known for its outpourings of aa lava accompanied by strombolian explosions, a wide variety of volcanic phenomena have been exhibited by this volcano as indicated briefly in Chapter 1. Here each of the different types of activity is discussed, emphasis being placed on process rather than the overall importance of any one type of activity throughout the history of the volcano.

Routledge eBooks, Oct 11, 2022

Routledge eBooks, Jul 13, 2022

Mount Etna is the dominant feature in the landscape of eastern Sicily rising to a height of over ... more Mount Etna is the dominant feature in the landscape of eastern Sicily rising to a height of over 3300 m (Fig. 1.1). To a greater or lesser extent it is in an almost continuous state of activity and historical accounts of eruptions cover a period of more than 2500 years, providing a record of volcanism over a longer period than for most other volcanoes. Etna is relatively easy to reach, having an international airport near its foot, and, apart from a few areas which are remote and difficult of access, it has good road communications including drivable dirt tracks to the summit on both the northern and southern flanks. Amongst the basaltic volcanoes, therefore, it is virtually unrivalled as a place to study volcanic processes. As well as being an excellent laboratory in which to test out new techniques and ideas, Etna also has characteristics that are different from the more extensively monitored volcanoes such as Kilauea on Hawaii; thus new Etnean studies broaden volcanological experiences rather than just repeating those obtained elsewhere. In addition large parts of the volcano’s flanks are heavily populated and cultivated, giving volcanological studies a critical social value.

The development of the Etna region (Chapter 2) to its present position of economic pre-eminence w... more The development of the Etna region (Chapter 2) to its present position of economic pre-eminence within Sicily came about through the profitable exploitation of the resources of the volcano by man and, indeed, the definition of resources is bound up with the notion of interaction between man and environment, because ‘neither the environment nor parts of the environment are resources until they are … capable of satisfying mankind’s needs’ (Mitchell, 1979, p. 1). Hazards also involve the interplay of man and environment, because unless man is present, even the most extreme natural events cannot be said to be harmful; the continued occupation of a region like Etna involves a trade-off between the risks and benefits of a particular location. In the last chapter (Chapter 8) the nature and characteristics of the physical threat posed by volcanological phenomena — particularly lava flows — to various sectors and zones on the volcano were discussed; the present chapter seeks to examine this threat in relation to the inhabitants of the region.

Springer eBooks, 1985

Mount Etna is one of many active or recently active centres of volcanism in southern Italy and be... more Mount Etna is one of many active or recently active centres of volcanism in southern Italy and before going on to consider the geology of this volcano in detail it is necessary to place the volcano in a regional context. Throughout the late Tertiary and Quaternary there has been a remarkably diverse history of volcanism in the central Mediterranean region (Fig. 3.1). In mainland Italy, potassic and silicic volcanism has occurred along the western coast from Tuscany in the north to Vesuvius in the south from the Pliocene to the present, though most of this volcanism is less than 1 m.y.old. The Tyrrhenian Sea is floored in part by basalt and is usually interpreted as a marginal basin which has formed during the last 7 million years (Barberi et al., 1978). The Eolian Islands in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, an arcuate archipelago of volcanic islands of Quaternary age composed of calcalkaline and shoshonitic products, have been considered to represent an island arc in a senile stage of development (Keller, 1980).

UCL Press eBooks, 1995

Monitoring active volcanoes: an introduction, W.J. McGuire data acquisition and telemetry, P. Les... more Monitoring active volcanoes: an introduction, W.J. McGuire data acquisition and telemetry, P. Lesage, J. Vandemeulebrouck, M. Halbwachs seismic monitoring at active volcanoes, F. Ferrucci real-time ground deformation monitoring, J.P. Toutain, P. Bachelery, P.A. Blum, H. Delorme, P. Kowalski ground deformation surveying, J.B. Murray, A.D. Pullen, S. J. Saunders GPS - monitoring surface deformation from space, G. Nunnari, G. Puglisi Infrared thermal monitoring.

UCL Press eBooks, 1993

... Constitutive equation 258 10 Lava crusts, aa flow lengthening and the pahoehoe-aa transition ... more ... Constitutive equation 258 10 Lava crusts, aa flow lengthening and the pahoehoe-aa transition 263 Christopher RJ Kilburn Introduction 263 ... 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA Luongo, G., Dipartimento di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Universita di Napoli, Largo San ...

Open-file report /, 1993

INTRODUCTION AND GEOLOGIC SETTING The A.D. 1631 eruption of volcano Vesuvius, in Naples, Italy, b... more INTRODUCTION AND GEOLOGIC SETTING The A.D. 1631 eruption of volcano Vesuvius, in Naples, Italy, began more than 300 years of nearly constant eruptive activity. The succeeding activity was predominately effusive with only minor pyroclastic events usually at the end of an eruptive cycle. This continuous, relatively low energy activity made Vesuvius an ideal laboratory for volcanologists and petrologists until its last eruption in AD. 1944. The literature pertaining to Vesuvius begins with Pliny the Younger's letter to Tacitus describing the A.D. 79 "Pompei" eruption and continues today as new studies continue to add to the body of work used to interpret and model its past and perhaps future activity. Systematic study and chemical analysis of the Vesuvius products began with Johnston-Laves (1884) and Washington (1906), respectively. Recent studies are discussed by Barberi et al., (1981) and Santacroce (1983). Modern analytical work is reviewed by Joron et al. (1987). This report presents the comprehensive chemical database which has been determined as part of an ongoing study (Belkin et al., 1991; Belkin et al., 1993) of the petrogenesis of the recent AD. 1631-1944 Vesuvius activity. The data generated by such an analytical program will provide a base for use in petrologic analysis as well as in derivative and complementary studies such as detailed modal and chemical petrography and isotopic analysis. The importance and utility of such a unified data set arises from the fact that although Vesuvius has been extensively studied, few workers have presented complete analyses. Mt. Somma-Vesuvius is part of the Roman potassic province of Washington (1906) located east of Naples, at the southern boundary of the Campanian plain. Mt. Somma-Vesuvius is a composite volcano that has erupted silica-undersaturated and potassium-rich lavas and pyroclastics for at least 25,000 years. The eruptive history of Somma-Vesuvius can be divided into three periods; (1) the early historic period before the AD. 79 "Pompei" plinian eruption, (2) the middle period covering A.D. 79 to 1631 and (3) the recent period of activity from A.D. 1631 to 1944. The most recent eruptive period represents an almost continuous series of mild, mostly effusive lavas ranging in composition from phonolitic-leucitite to tephritic-leucitite. The average SiO2 content is 48.0 wt.% and the rocks are classified as tephriphonolites according to their alkali (I^O + Na2O) content. All of the lavas are silica-undersaturated and are nepheline, leucite, and olivine normative. The proximity of Vesuvius to the resources and study of renaissance and postrenaissance Europe plus recent detailed mapping (Rosi et al., 1987) has provided historical documentation for the reconstruction of this recent period. We have used as a base for sampling (figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4) the recent map of Rosi et al., (1987). A recent compilation and discussion of the eruptive history, chemistry, petrography, and geophysics of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius can be found in Santacroce (1987) and references therein. All the flows consist of moderately viscous lavas with either aa or pahoehoe surfaces. They are homogeneous in appearance, either vesicular or massive, and phaneritic with well developed leucite or pyroxene phenocrysts. Arno et al., (1987) has divided the recent period activity into 18 eruptive cycles. These cycles start with the A.D. 1638 effusive activity. The question of the existence of lavas erupted with the A.D.

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2018

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Mar 1, 1995

Springer eBooks, 1985

Used in the nineteenth century as a cornerstone for the ‘Craters-of-Elevation’ hypothesis (Chapte... more Used in the nineteenth century as a cornerstone for the ‘Craters-of-Elevation’ hypothesis (Chapter 1), the fact that the fronts of some of Etna’s solidified lavas may be seen resting upon steep slopes, with dips of up to at least 35°, has since helped to initiate a fundamental advance in the understanding of lava flow evolution. Implicit in the earlier association between lava attitudes and ‘Craters-of-Elevation’ was the assumption that lavas, like large bodies of water, would continue to flow down an incline until being ponded behind an obstacle or within a depression, or until reaching a horizontal surface. In support of this contention, De Beaumont (1834) cited active Etnean lavas as examples of those which had been rarely observed to consolidate upon slopes with angles greater than 5° and which, in passing over steeper gradients, left behind only superficial veneers of solidified lava or coatings of scoriaceous debris. Hence the existence of old lavas lying on steep slopes was presented by De Beaumont as evidence that the underlying surface had been tilted to a higher angle after the emplacement of the flows.

Springer eBooks, 1996

Subaerial lava flows and flow fields show a restricted range of evolutionary sequences. The seque... more Subaerial lava flows and flow fields show a restricted range of evolutionary sequences. The sequences are related to the traditional classification of pahoehoe, aa and blocky lava, and each is distinguished by a characteristic association of morphological and dynamical features. These features, which include crustal growth and morphology, the formation of lava channels and tubes, the rate and style of flow advance, and the shape and emplacement time of a complete flow field, link processes operating over distances and time intervals that differ from each other by several orders of magnitude. Such links suggest that local observations on newly forming flows (e.g. styles of crustal development) might be sufficient for long-term forecasts of flow growth. The characteristic sequences reflect specific balances between the changing gravitational and pressure forces driving advance and increases in flow resistance due to solidification. The simplest emplacement regime is associated with aa flows, which persistently break their crusts during advance. Constrained by the condition for persistent crustal failure, first-order models provide good descriptions of aa growth trends, as well as a physical basis for forecasting flow behaviour. In particular, they permit estimates of maximum potential flow length and lengthening time from only the mean slope along the expected course of a flow.

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2016

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2016

The morphology of a lava flow is strongly influenced by its rheological structure. The rheologica... more The morphology of a lava flow is strongly influenced by its rheological structure. The rheological structure is, in turn, dependent on numerous factors including: (1) bulk composition, (2) crystallingity, (3) vesicularity, and (4) crustal development. Identifying which of the latter factors are most significant, and hence most readily investigated by remote-sensing techniques, is necessary to clarify short-term objectives and expectations from the study of Martian lava flows. Insights into the rheological controls on flow morphology are provided by variations in thickness of undrained lava streams on Etna and Vesuvius, Southern Italy. Both pahoehoe and aa lavas were studied.

Although Etna is best known for its outpourings of aa lava accompanied by strombolian explosions,... more Although Etna is best known for its outpourings of aa lava accompanied by strombolian explosions, a wide variety of volcanic phenomena have been exhibited by this volcano as indicated briefly in Chapter 1. Here each of the different types of activity is discussed, emphasis being placed on process rather than the overall importance of any one type of activity throughout the history of the volcano.

Routledge eBooks, Oct 11, 2022

Routledge eBooks, Jul 13, 2022

Mount Etna is the dominant feature in the landscape of eastern Sicily rising to a height of over ... more Mount Etna is the dominant feature in the landscape of eastern Sicily rising to a height of over 3300 m (Fig. 1.1). To a greater or lesser extent it is in an almost continuous state of activity and historical accounts of eruptions cover a period of more than 2500 years, providing a record of volcanism over a longer period than for most other volcanoes. Etna is relatively easy to reach, having an international airport near its foot, and, apart from a few areas which are remote and difficult of access, it has good road communications including drivable dirt tracks to the summit on both the northern and southern flanks. Amongst the basaltic volcanoes, therefore, it is virtually unrivalled as a place to study volcanic processes. As well as being an excellent laboratory in which to test out new techniques and ideas, Etna also has characteristics that are different from the more extensively monitored volcanoes such as Kilauea on Hawaii; thus new Etnean studies broaden volcanological experiences rather than just repeating those obtained elsewhere. In addition large parts of the volcano’s flanks are heavily populated and cultivated, giving volcanological studies a critical social value.

The development of the Etna region (Chapter 2) to its present position of economic pre-eminence w... more The development of the Etna region (Chapter 2) to its present position of economic pre-eminence within Sicily came about through the profitable exploitation of the resources of the volcano by man and, indeed, the definition of resources is bound up with the notion of interaction between man and environment, because ‘neither the environment nor parts of the environment are resources until they are … capable of satisfying mankind’s needs’ (Mitchell, 1979, p. 1). Hazards also involve the interplay of man and environment, because unless man is present, even the most extreme natural events cannot be said to be harmful; the continued occupation of a region like Etna involves a trade-off between the risks and benefits of a particular location. In the last chapter (Chapter 8) the nature and characteristics of the physical threat posed by volcanological phenomena — particularly lava flows — to various sectors and zones on the volcano were discussed; the present chapter seeks to examine this threat in relation to the inhabitants of the region.

Springer eBooks, 1985

Mount Etna is one of many active or recently active centres of volcanism in southern Italy and be... more Mount Etna is one of many active or recently active centres of volcanism in southern Italy and before going on to consider the geology of this volcano in detail it is necessary to place the volcano in a regional context. Throughout the late Tertiary and Quaternary there has been a remarkably diverse history of volcanism in the central Mediterranean region (Fig. 3.1). In mainland Italy, potassic and silicic volcanism has occurred along the western coast from Tuscany in the north to Vesuvius in the south from the Pliocene to the present, though most of this volcanism is less than 1 m.y.old. The Tyrrhenian Sea is floored in part by basalt and is usually interpreted as a marginal basin which has formed during the last 7 million years (Barberi et al., 1978). The Eolian Islands in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, an arcuate archipelago of volcanic islands of Quaternary age composed of calcalkaline and shoshonitic products, have been considered to represent an island arc in a senile stage of development (Keller, 1980).

UCL Press eBooks, 1995

Monitoring active volcanoes: an introduction, W.J. McGuire data acquisition and telemetry, P. Les... more Monitoring active volcanoes: an introduction, W.J. McGuire data acquisition and telemetry, P. Lesage, J. Vandemeulebrouck, M. Halbwachs seismic monitoring at active volcanoes, F. Ferrucci real-time ground deformation monitoring, J.P. Toutain, P. Bachelery, P.A. Blum, H. Delorme, P. Kowalski ground deformation surveying, J.B. Murray, A.D. Pullen, S. J. Saunders GPS - monitoring surface deformation from space, G. Nunnari, G. Puglisi Infrared thermal monitoring.

UCL Press eBooks, 1993

... Constitutive equation 258 10 Lava crusts, aa flow lengthening and the pahoehoe-aa transition ... more ... Constitutive equation 258 10 Lava crusts, aa flow lengthening and the pahoehoe-aa transition 263 Christopher RJ Kilburn Introduction 263 ... 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA Luongo, G., Dipartimento di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Universita di Napoli, Largo San ...

Open-file report /, 1993

INTRODUCTION AND GEOLOGIC SETTING The A.D. 1631 eruption of volcano Vesuvius, in Naples, Italy, b... more INTRODUCTION AND GEOLOGIC SETTING The A.D. 1631 eruption of volcano Vesuvius, in Naples, Italy, began more than 300 years of nearly constant eruptive activity. The succeeding activity was predominately effusive with only minor pyroclastic events usually at the end of an eruptive cycle. This continuous, relatively low energy activity made Vesuvius an ideal laboratory for volcanologists and petrologists until its last eruption in AD. 1944. The literature pertaining to Vesuvius begins with Pliny the Younger's letter to Tacitus describing the A.D. 79 "Pompei" eruption and continues today as new studies continue to add to the body of work used to interpret and model its past and perhaps future activity. Systematic study and chemical analysis of the Vesuvius products began with Johnston-Laves (1884) and Washington (1906), respectively. Recent studies are discussed by Barberi et al., (1981) and Santacroce (1983). Modern analytical work is reviewed by Joron et al. (1987). This report presents the comprehensive chemical database which has been determined as part of an ongoing study (Belkin et al., 1991; Belkin et al., 1993) of the petrogenesis of the recent AD. 1631-1944 Vesuvius activity. The data generated by such an analytical program will provide a base for use in petrologic analysis as well as in derivative and complementary studies such as detailed modal and chemical petrography and isotopic analysis. The importance and utility of such a unified data set arises from the fact that although Vesuvius has been extensively studied, few workers have presented complete analyses. Mt. Somma-Vesuvius is part of the Roman potassic province of Washington (1906) located east of Naples, at the southern boundary of the Campanian plain. Mt. Somma-Vesuvius is a composite volcano that has erupted silica-undersaturated and potassium-rich lavas and pyroclastics for at least 25,000 years. The eruptive history of Somma-Vesuvius can be divided into three periods; (1) the early historic period before the AD. 79 "Pompei" plinian eruption, (2) the middle period covering A.D. 79 to 1631 and (3) the recent period of activity from A.D. 1631 to 1944. The most recent eruptive period represents an almost continuous series of mild, mostly effusive lavas ranging in composition from phonolitic-leucitite to tephritic-leucitite. The average SiO2 content is 48.0 wt.% and the rocks are classified as tephriphonolites according to their alkali (I^O + Na2O) content. All of the lavas are silica-undersaturated and are nepheline, leucite, and olivine normative. The proximity of Vesuvius to the resources and study of renaissance and postrenaissance Europe plus recent detailed mapping (Rosi et al., 1987) has provided historical documentation for the reconstruction of this recent period. We have used as a base for sampling (figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4) the recent map of Rosi et al., (1987). A recent compilation and discussion of the eruptive history, chemistry, petrography, and geophysics of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius can be found in Santacroce (1987) and references therein. All the flows consist of moderately viscous lavas with either aa or pahoehoe surfaces. They are homogeneous in appearance, either vesicular or massive, and phaneritic with well developed leucite or pyroxene phenocrysts. Arno et al., (1987) has divided the recent period activity into 18 eruptive cycles. These cycles start with the A.D. 1638 effusive activity. The question of the existence of lavas erupted with the A.D.