Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Charge measurements on particle fallout from a volcanic plume
AU - Gilbert, Jennifer
AU - Lane, Stephen
AU - SPARKS, RSJ
AU - KOYAGUCHI, T
PY - 1991/2/14
Y1 - 1991/2/14
N2 - The aggregation of fine ash particles has an important role in controlling the deposition of widely dispersed volcanic ash. Here we report measurements of electrical charge on ash particles falling from the eruption columns of Sakurajima volcano in Japan. Absolute charge to mass (q/m) ratios ranged from +3 to +6x10-4 C kg-1 and from -2 to -5x10-4 C kg-1. The average q/m ratio ranged from +2 to +5x10-5 C kg-1. The generation of electrostatic charge may result from triboelectric effects in the plume, or from fracture-induced charging. Charge on ash particles provides attractive forces large enough to cause the aggregation of smaller particles and the adhesion of dust to larger particles. Particle aggregation may explain the polymodal grain-size distributions commonly found in ash-fall deposits, and the proximal deposition of fine ash, as well as the distal deposition of coarse particles in these deposits. Our data suggest that electrostatic effects greatly influence the dispersal and deposition of ash during explosive volcanic eruptions.
AB - The aggregation of fine ash particles has an important role in controlling the deposition of widely dispersed volcanic ash. Here we report measurements of electrical charge on ash particles falling from the eruption columns of Sakurajima volcano in Japan. Absolute charge to mass (q/m) ratios ranged from +3 to +6x10-4 C kg-1 and from -2 to -5x10-4 C kg-1. The average q/m ratio ranged from +2 to +5x10-5 C kg-1. The generation of electrostatic charge may result from triboelectric effects in the plume, or from fracture-induced charging. Charge on ash particles provides attractive forces large enough to cause the aggregation of smaller particles and the adhesion of dust to larger particles. Particle aggregation may explain the polymodal grain-size distributions commonly found in ash-fall deposits, and the proximal deposition of fine ash, as well as the distal deposition of coarse particles in these deposits. Our data suggest that electrostatic effects greatly influence the dispersal and deposition of ash during explosive volcanic eruptions.
U2 - 10.1038/349598a0
DO - 10.1038/349598a0
M3 - Journal article
VL - 349
SP - 598
EP - 600
JO - Nature
JF - Nature
SN - 0028-0836
IS - 6310
ER -