1. GPR-derived architecture of a lahar-generated fan at Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador
- Author
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Susanne Ettinger, Sarah Kruse, Raphaël Paris, Vern Manville, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (LMV), Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 (UBP)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 (UBP)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne (UJM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de Géographie Physique et Environnementale (GEOLAB), Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 (UBP)-Institut Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société (IR SHS UNILIM), Université de Limoges (UNILIM)-Université de Limoges (UNILIM)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA), Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, College of Arts & Sciences, University of South Florida [Tampa] (USF), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] (UJM)-Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 (UBP)-Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 (UBP)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand 2 (UBP)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA)-Institut Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société (IR SHS UNILIM), and Université de Limoges (UNILIM)-Université de Limoges (UNILIM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Subjects
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Lahar ,Pyroclastic rock ,Context (language use) ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,01 natural sciences ,Lapilli ,Ground penetrating radar ,Stratigraphy ,Aggradation ,Architecture ,Ground-penetrating radar ,Facies ,[SDU.STU.VO]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Volcanology ,Sediment ,Ecuador ,Volcano ,Geomorphology ,Geology ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Earth-Surface Processes - Abstract
International audience; The internal geometry of volcaniclastic fans produced by aggradation during lahar events is difficult to examine in modern settings because of the frequent lack of three-dimensional exposures. This makes it challenging to (i) reconstruct the spatial and temporal evolution of such fans; and (ii) interpret observed facies stratigraphy in the context of lahar flow dynamics from proximal to distal fan reaches. This research therefore presents the results of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey of the Rumipamba fan at the mouth of the Burrohuaycu quebrada on the southwestern flank of Cotopaxi volcano. A survey grid consisting of 50 individual GPR profiles representing a total length of 19.4 km was constructed covering most of the 4-km2 large fan surface. All GPR profiles were collected using a PulseEKKO 100 with a 400 V transmitter. Fan sediments consist of sandy and gravelly lahar deposits, alternating with volcanic fallout including ash and pumice lapilli, at times reworked by fluvial processes. Deposits could be ground-truthed to a depth of ~3 m, whereas GPR penetration depth reaches 15 m. Data interpretation was based on classification into 15 distinct radar facies characterized by the nature of their bounding surfaces and/or internal features, cross-referenced where possible with shallow exposures. Three main facies were identified: parallel, irregular, and clinoform. Erosional contacts were distinguished from aggradational ones (vertical, channel fill, and lateral accretion). Flow parallel versus flow transverse and proximal–distal variations in deposit architecture were featured. The results of this study confirm the existence of two major channel systems in the northern and southern extremities of the fan and the more recent formation of a smaller central fan channel system. Deposit architecture is complex and facies chronologies illustrate that lahars have affected the entire survey area.
- Published
- 2014