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Kelfoun & Druitt 2005
Kelfoun, K. and Druitt, T.H. (2005). Numerical modeling of the emplacement of Socompa rock avalanche, Chile. Journal of Geophysical Research 110: doi: 10.1029/2005JB003758. issn: 0148-0227.

The 7.5 ka Socompa sector collapse emplaced 25 km3 of fragmented rock as a thin, but widespread (500 km2), avalanche deposit, followed by late stage sliding of 11 km3 as Toreva blocks. Most of the avalanche mass was emplaced dry, although saturation of a basal shear layer cannot be excluded. Modeling was carried out using the depth-averaged granular flow equations in order to provide information on the flow behavior of this well-preserved, long run-out avalanche. Results were constrained using structures preserved on the surface of the deposit, as well as by deposit outline and run-up (a proxy for velocity). Models assuming constant dynamic friction fail to produce realistic results because the low basal friction angles (1 to 3.5¿) necessary to generate observed run-out permit neither adequate deposition on slopes nor preservation of significant morphology on the deposit surface. A reasonable fit is obtained, however, if the avalanche is assumed simply to experience a constant retarding stress of 50--100 kPa during flow. This permits long run-out as well as deposition on slopes and preservation of realistic depositional morphology. In particular the model explains a prominent topographic escarpment on the deposit surface as the frozen front of a huge wave of debris reflected off surrounding hills. The result that Socompa avalanche experienced a small, approximately constant retarding stress during emplacement is consistent with a previously published analysis of avalanche data.

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Abstract

Keywords
Physical Properties of Rocks, Transport properties, Volcanology, Volcanoclastic deposits, Volcanology, Eruption mechanisms and flow emplacement, Volcanology, Volcanic hazards and risks, Socompa, long run-out avalanche, numerical simulation
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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