Ropy pahoehoe lava flows on Mauna Ulu, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii: investigating variations in surface textures through statistical analyses
Theng M. 2008. Ropy pahoehoe lava flows on Mauna Ulu, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii: investigating variations in surface textures through statistical analyses. University of Calgary. Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The investigation of ropy pahoehoe surface texture variations on Mauna Ulu lava flow field, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, was conducted through field measurements and statistical analyses. Field studies were carried out on the 1970 and 1974 aged flows. The wavelengths and amplitudes of individual small-scale (centimetre-scale) ropes were measured on several pahoehoe lobes within four main areas of the flow field. Distance from the crater was correlated with the changing viscosity of the lava flow. Statistical analyses of the field data was performed using the One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method. Three parameters were tested: wavelength, amplitude, and wavelength/amplitude. These three parameters were analyzed for any statistically significant variability in the ropiness of the surface textures in relation to the distance from the crater. The results of the analyses showed that there was no clear pattern of variability. Variations of ropiness existed both within and between the different locations. It was then inferred that ropiness varied due to localized occurrences rather than distance from the crater. Topography and slope angles appear to have a stronger influence on the ropiness of pahoehoe lava flows.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Theng, Molika
- Date of Issue
- 2008-06-26
- Publisher
- University of Calgary
- Units
- HAVO
- Keywords
- amplitude, Big Island, Geology, Hawaii, Kilauea Volcano, Lava Flow, pahoehoe, Volcanology/Geothermal, wavelength