Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Intricate episodic growth of a Hawaiian tephra deposit: case study of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Bulletin of Volcanology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption on Hawai’i generated a succession of fountains, most reaching hundreds of meters high. The 16 episodes of fountaining persisted intermittently (with repose periods of between 7 h and 4 days) for 36 days. They produced tephra deposits that were dispersed several kilometers downwind of the vent, and a much larger volume of clastogenic lava which drained into the Kīlauea Iki crater to form a > 100 m deep lava lake. Field data from 211 tephra sample pits downwind of the vent reflect imperfectly the episodic nature of the fountaining behavior: only five composite stratigraphic subunits from the total of 16 fountaining episodes can be mapped in the field. However, isopach maps of these subunits were generated and, by the application of empirical deposit thinning relationships, volumes of each subunit were estimated. In combination with detailed observations made in 1959, our field data allow us to assign stratigraphic subunits to either single or aggregates of several fountaining episodes. The most voluminous subunits are linked with the highest fountaining, not with the longest in duration. In fact, significant downwind dispersal was possible only if the top part of the fountains reached above the crater rim, which was located about 100 m above the vent. The end of high fountaining episodes produced ash-rich partings, which are found on top of the lapilli-sized products of some episodes. However, the ash-rich intervals are strongly attenuated by wind advection and so are only present along the dispersal axes. The subunits follow slightly different dispersal axes. The maximum spread of 28 degrees between various dispersal axes is predominantly controlled by changing wind directions and spatter cone collapse into the vent, which modified its geometry. This study outlines the dependency of tephra dispersal on fountain height and emphasizes the capability of an episodic Hawaiian fountaining eruption to generate a seemingly monotonous downwind tephra deposit.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andronico D, Scollo S, Cristaldi A (2015) Unexpected hazards from tephra fallouts at Mt Etna: the 23 November 2013 fountain. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 304:118–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andronico D, Scollo S, Cristaldi A, Lo Castro MD (2014) Representivity of incompletely sampled fall deposits in estimating eruption source parameters: a test using the 12-13 January 2011 lava fountain deposit from Mt. Etna volcano, Italy. Bull Volcanol 76:861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andronico D, Cristaldi A, Scollo S (2008) The 4-5 September 2007 fountain at South-East Crater of Mt Etna, Italy. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 173:325–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayris PM, Delmelle P (2012) The immediate environmental effects of tephra emission. Bull Volcanol 74:1905–1936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biass S, Bonadonna C (2011) A quantitative uncertainty assessment of eruptive parameters derived from tephra deposits: the example of two large eruptions of Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador. Bull Volcanol 73:73–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biass S, Bagheri G, Aeberhard W, Bonadonna C (2014) Terror: towards a better quantification of the uncertainty propagated during the characterization of tephra deposits. Stat Volcanol 1(2):1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonadonna C, Costa A (2012) Estimating the volume of tephra deposits: a new simple strategy. Geology 40:415–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonadonna C, Houghton BF (2005) Total grain-size distribution and volume of tephra-fall deposits. Bull Volcanol 67:441–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Branca S, Del Carlo P (2005) Types of eruptions of Etna volcano AD 1670-2003: implications for short-term eruptive behavior. Bull Volcanol 67(8):732–742

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown PP, Lawler DF (2003) Sphere drag and settling velocity revisited. J Environ Eng 129(3):222–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burden RE, Chen L, Phillips JC (2013) A statistical method for determining the volume of volcanic fall deposits. Bull Volcanol 75:707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corsaro RA, Andronico D, Behncke B, Branca S, Caltabiano T, Ciancitto F, Cristaldi A, De Beni E, La Spina A, Lodato L, Miraglia L, Neri M, Salerno G, Scollo S, Spata G (2017) Monitoring the December 2015 summit eruptions of Mt Etna (Italy): implications on eruptive patterns J Volcanol Geotherm Res 341:53–69

  • Costa A, Folch A, Macedonio G (2010) A model for wet aggregation of ash particles in volcanic plumes and clouds: 1. Theoretical Formulation J Volcanol Geotherm Res 115:B09201

    Google Scholar 

  • Costa A, Pioli L, Bonadonna C (2016) Assessing tephra total grain-size distribution: insights from field data analysis. Earth Planet Sci Lett 443:90–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durant AJ, Rose WI, Sarna-Wojcicki AM, Carey S, Volentik ACM (2009) Hydrometeor-enhanced tephra sedimentation: constraints from the 18 May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens J Geophys Res 114:B03204

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton JP, Richter DH, Krivoy HL (1987) Cycling of magma betwen the summit reservoir and Kīlauea Iki lava lake during the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea volcano. In: Decker RW, Wright TL, Stauffer PH (eds) volcanism in Hawaii. US Geol Sury Prof Pap 1350:1307–1334

  • Engwell SL, Aspinall WP, Sparks RSJ (2015) An objective method for the production of isopach maps and implications for the estimation of tephra deposit volumes and their uncertainties. Bull Volcanol 77(7):61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fero J, Carey SN, Merrill JT (2009) Simulating the dispersal of tephra from the 1991 Pinatubo eruption: implications for the formation of widespread ash layers. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 186(1–2):120–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fierstein J, Nathenson M (1992) Another look at the calculation of fallout tephra volumes. Bull Volcanol 54:156–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher RV (1961) Proposed classification for volcaniclastic sediments and rocks. Geol Soc Am Bull 72:1409–1414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folch A, Costa A, Macedonio G (2016) FPLUME-1.0: an integral volcanic plume model accounting for ash aggregation. Geol Model Dev 9:431–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonnermann HM (2015) Magma Fragmentation. Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci 43:431–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González-Mellado AO, De la Cruz-Reyna SD (2010) A simple semi-empirical approach to model thickness of ash-deposits for different eruption scenarios. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 10:2241–2257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenland LP, Okamura AT, Stokes JB (1988) Constraints on the mechanics of the eruption. USGS Prof Paper 1463:155–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Heiken G, Wohletz KH (1985) Volcanic Ash. 246 pp, Univ Calif Press, Berkeley

  • Heliker C, Mattox TN (2003) The first two decades of the Pu’u ‘O’o Kupaianaha eruption: chronology and selected bibliography, the Pu’u ‘O’o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kīlauea volano, Hawaii: the first 20 years. US Geol Sury Prof Pap 1676:1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Hibert C, Mangeney A, Polacci M, Di Muro A, Vergniolle S, Ferrazzini V, Peltier A, Taisne B, Burton M, Dewez T, Grandjean G, Dupont A, Staudacher T, Brenguier F, Kowalski P, Boissier P, Catherine P, Lauret F (2015) Toward continuous quantification of lava extrusion rate: results from the multidisciplinary analysis of the 2 January 2010 eruption of Piton de la Fournasie volcano, La Réunion. J Geophys Res 120(5):3026–3047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horwell CJ, Baxter J (2006) The respiratory health hazards of volcanic ash: a review for volcanic risk mitigation. Bull Volcanol 69:1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houghton BF, Swanson DA, Rauch J, Carey RJ, Fagents SA, Orr TR (2013) Pushing the Volcano Explosivity Index to its limit and beyond: constraints from exceptionally weak explosive eruptions at Kīlauea in 2008. Geology 41:627–630. https://doi.org/10.1130/G34146.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houghton BF, Carey RJ, Rosenberg MD (2014) The 1800a Taupo eruption: ‘III wind’ blows the ultraplinian type event down to Plinian. Geology 42(5):459–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houghton BF, Taddeucci J, Andronico D, Gonnermann HM, Pistolesi M, Patrick MR, Orr TR, Swanson DA, Edmonds M, Gaudin D, Carey RJ, Scarlato P (2016) Stronger or longer: discriminating between Hawaiian and Strombolian eruption styles. Geology 44:163–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klawonn M, Houghton BF, Swanson DA, Fagents SA, Wessel P, Wolfe CJ (2014) From field data to volumes: constraining uncertainties in pyroclastic eruption parameters. Bull Volcanol 76:839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Pennec JL, Ruiz GA, Rámon P, Palacios E, Mothes P, Yepes H (2012) Impact of tephra falls on Andean communities: the influences of eruption size and weather conditions during the 1999-2001 activity of Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 217:91–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood J, Banks N, English T, Greenland P, Jackson D, Johnson D, Koyanagi B, McGee K, Okamura A, Rhodes M (1985) The 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii. Eos Trans AGU 66(16):169–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangan MT, Cashman KV, Swanson DA (2014) The dynamics of Hawaiian-style eruptions: a century of study. In: Poland MP, Takahashi TJ, Landowski CM (Eds) Characteristics of Hawaiian Volcanoes. USGS Prof Pap 1801

  • Martí A, Folch A, Costa A, Engwell S (2016) Reconstructing the Plinian and co-ignimbrite sources of large volcanic eruptions: a novel approach for the Campanian ignimbrite. Sci Rep 6:21220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michon L, Di Muro A, Villeneuve N, Saint-Marc C, Fadda P, Manta F (2013) Explosive activity of the summit cone of piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion island): a historical and geologica review. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 264:117–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Namiki A, Manga (2006) Influence of decompression rate on the expansion velocity and expansion style of bubbly fluids. J Geophys Res 111:B11208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Namiki A, Manga M (2008) Transition between fragmentation and permeable outgassing of low viscosity magmas. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 169:48–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newhall CG, Self S (1982) The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)—an estimate of explosive magnitude for historical volcanism. J Geophys Res 87:1231–1238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notcutt G, Davies F (1993) Dispersion of gaseous volcanogenic fluoride, island of Hawaii. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 56:125–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parcheta CE, Houghton BF, Swanson DA (2012) Hawaiian fissure fountains 1: decoding deposits—episode 1 of the 1969-1974 Mauna Ulu eruption. Bull Volcanol 74:1729–1743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parfitt EA (1998) A study of clast size distribution, ash deposition and fragmentation in a Hawaiian-style volcanic eruption. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 84:197–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parfitt EA, Wilson L (1999) A Plinian treatment of fallout from Hawaiian lava fountains. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 88:67–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parfitt EA, Wilson L (1995) Explosive volcanic eruptions – IX. The transition between Hawaiian-style and lava fountaining and Strombolian explosive activity. Geophys J Internat 121(1):226–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polacci M, Pioli L, Rosi M (2006) Coupled textural and compositional characterization of basaltic scoria: insights into the transition from Strombolian to fire fountain activity at Mount Etna, Italy. Geology 34(3):201–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poret M, Costa A, Folch A, Martí A (2017) Modelling tephra dispersal and ash aggregation: the 26th April 1979 eruption, La Soufrière St. Vincent. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 347:207–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porritt LA, Russell JK, Quane SL (2012) Pele’s tears and spheres: examples from Kīlauea Iki. Earth Planet Sci Lett 333-334:171–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulidis AP, Takemi T, Shimizu A, Iguchi M, Jenkins SF (2018) Statistical analysis of dispersal and deposition patterns of volcanic emissions from Mt. Sakurajima, Japan. Atmos Environ 179:305–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pyle DM (1989) The thickness, volume and grain size of tephra fall deposits. Bull Volcanol 51:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pyle DM (1995) Assessment of the minimum volume of tephra fall deposits. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 69:379–382 gujvmn

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richter DH, Eaton JP, Murata KJ, Ault WU, Krivoy HL (1970) Chronological narrative of the 1959-60 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii US Geol Sury Prof Pap 537-E

  • Scollo S, Folch A, Costa A (2008) A parametric and comparative study of different tephra fallout models. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 176:199–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sides IR, Edmonds M, Maclennan J, Houghton BF, Swanson DA, Steele-MacInnis MJ (2014a) Magma mixing and high fountaining during the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption, Hawaii. Earth Planet Sci Lett 400:102–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sides IR, Edmonds M, Maclennan J, Swanson DA, Houghton BF (2014b) Eruption style at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii linked to primary melt composition. Nat Geosci 7:464–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slezin YB (2003) The mechanism of volcanic eruptions (a steady state approach). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 122(1–2):7–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staudacher T, Ferrazzini V, Peltier A, Kowalski P, Boissier P, Catherine P, Lauret F, Massin F (2009) The April 2007 eruption and the Dolomieu crater collapse, two major events at Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion Island, Indian Ocean). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 184:126–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulpizio R, Bonasia R, Dellino P, Di Vito MA, La Volpe L, Mele D, Zanchetta G, Sadori L (2008) Discriminating the long distance dispersal of fine ash from sustained columns or near ground ash clouds: the example of the Pomici di Avellino eruption (Somma-Vesuvius, Italy). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 177:263–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulpizio R (2005) Three empirical methods for the calculation of distal volume of tephra-fall deposits. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 145(3):315–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stovall WK, Houghton BF, Gonnermann H, Fagents SA, Swanson DA (2011) Eruption dynamics of Hawaiian-style fountains: the case study of episode 1 of the Kilauea Iki 1959 eruption. Bull Volcanol 73:511–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stovall WK, Houghton BF, Hammer JE, Fagents SA, Swanson DA (2012) Vesiculation of high fountaining Hawaiian eruptions: episodes 15 and 16 of 1959 Kilauea Iki. Bull Volcanol 74:441–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson DA, Houghton BF (2018) Products, processes, and implications of Keanakako‘i volcanism, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i. In: Poland M, Garcia M, Camp V, Grunder A (Eds) Field Volcanology: a tribute to the distinguished career of Don Swanson. Geol Soc Am Spec Pap 538

  • Swanson DA, Duffield WA, Jackson DB, Peterson DW (1979) Chronological narrative of the 1969-71 Mauna Ulu eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii. US Geol Sury Prof Pap 1056:1–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Taddeucci J, Edmonds M, Houghton BF, James MR, Vergnoille S (2015) Hawaiian and Strombolian eruptions. In: Sigurdsson H et al. (Eds) The encyclopedia of volcanoes (second edition): London, Academic Press 485–505

  • Taddeucci J, Scarlato P, Andronico D, Cristaldi A, Büttner R, Zimanowski B, Kueppers U (2007) Advances in the study of volcanic ash. EOS Earth Space Sci News 88(24):253–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilling RI, Heliker C, Swanson DA (2010) Eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes; past, present and future. USGS Gen Inf Prod 117:63

    Google Scholar 

  • Vulpiani G, Ripepe M, Valade S (2016) Mass discharge rate retrieval combining weather radar and thermal camera observations. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 121:5679–5695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker GPL (1973) Explosive volcanic eruptions—a new classification scheme. Geol Rundsch 62:431–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace PJ, Anderson AT (1998) Effects of eruption and lava drainback on the H2O contents of basaltic magmas at Kīlauea Volcano. Bull Volcanol 59:327–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson L, Head JW (1981) Ascent and eruption of basaltic magma on the earth and moon. J Geophys Res 86:2971–3001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson TM, Stewart C, Sword-Daniels V, Leonard GS, Johnston DM, Cole JW, Wardman J, Wilson G, Barnard ST (2012) Volcanic ash impacts on critical infrastructure. Phys Chem Earth Parts A/B/C 45-46:5–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe EW, Neal CA, Banks NG, Duggan TJ (1988) Geologic observations and chronology of eruptive events, in Wolfe EW (ed) The Puu Oo eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii; episodes 1 through 20, January 3, 1983 through June 8, 1984. US Geol Sury prof pap 1463:1–97

Download references

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of 16 years of undergraduate and graduate classes who dug the tephra pits for this study. The research was supported by NSF grants EAR-0499303, EAR-0810332, EAR-1145159, and EAR1521855. This manuscript benefitted greatly from the editorial handling by Jacopo Taddeucci and the comments by Daniele Andronico and an anonymous reviewer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, 1680 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Sebastian B. Mueller, Bruce F. Houghton & Malin Klawonn

  2. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, PO Box 51, Hawai’i National Park, HI, 96718, USA

    Donald A. Swanson

  3. Hawai’i Institute of Geophysics & Planetology, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, 1680 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Sarah A. Fagents

Authors
  1. Sebastian B. Mueller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bruce F. Houghton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Donald A. Swanson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sarah A. Fagents
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Malin Klawonn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sebastian B. Mueller.

Additional information

Editorial responsibility: J. Taddeucci

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(XLSX 24 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mueller, S.B., Houghton, B.F., Swanson, D.A. et al. Intricate episodic growth of a Hawaiian tephra deposit: case study of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption. Bull Volcanol 80, 73 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-018-1249-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-018-1249-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation