Rheological Properties of Mudflows Associated with the May 1980 Eruptions of Mount St. Helens Volcano, Washington

Authors

Jonathan H. Fink, Portland State UniversityFollow
Michael C. Malin, Arizona State University
Richard E. D'Alli, Arizona State University
Ronald Greeley, Arizona State University

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1981

Subjects

Mount Saint Helens (Wash.) -- Eruption (1980) -- Environmental aspects, Mudflows -- Rheology, Volcanology -- Research

Abstract

Rheological properties of three recent mudflows at Mount St. Helens were estimated using techniques developed for determining the properties of debris flows based on the geometry of their deposits. Calculated yield strengths of 1100, 1000, and 400 Pa, maximum flow velocities of 10 to 31 m/s, volumetric flow rates of 300 to 3400 m³/s, and plastic viscosities of 20 to 320 Pa-s all compare favorably with measured and estimated values cited in the literature. A method for determining likely sites of future mudflow initiation based on these data is outlined.

Description

This is the publisher's final PDF. Originally published in Geophysical Research Letters (http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/agu/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291944-8007/) and is copyrighted by American Geophysical Union (http://www.agu.org/)

*At the time of publication, Jonathan Fink was affiliated with Arizona State University.

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/13238

Citation Details

Fink, J. H., Malin, M. C., D'Alli, R. E., & Greeley, R.(1981). Rheological Properties of Mudflows Associated with the Spring 1980 Eruptions of Mount St. Helens Volcano, Washington. Geophysical research letters, 8(1), 43-46.