Collaborative Research: Transport Dynamics and Mobility of Large-Scale Submarine Volcaniclastic Density Currents at Hunga Volcano, Tonga

University Of Oregon Eugene, Eugene OR

Investigators

Abstract

In January 2022, Hunga volcano in Tonga produced the largest underwater volcanic eruption recorded by modern instruments. This project will collect samples and new observations of volcanic sediment at this location to understand how underwater volcanic eruptions transport material. The research uses this recent eruption to learn about underwater volcanic landslides that can damage communication cables and other seafloor infrastructure. The project involves international collaboration with the Kingdom of Tonga and the training of graduate students. In 2022, Hunga Tonga volcano erupted explosively producing a widely studied stratospheric ash cloud and an estimated 10 cubic kilometers of much less well studied submarine volcaniclastic deposits. This project seeks to characterize the large-scale submarine volcaniclastic density currents produced by this eruption in order to better understand these understudied volcanic products globally. Systematic sampling and mapping in a field campaign using remotely operated submersible Jason, autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry, and ship-based gravity and coring will sample the eruption deposits at multiple spatial scales. These new data will enable computational modeling aimed at better understanding transport mechanisms, mobility, and rheology of submarine volcaniclastic flows. The project will include public outreach from the ship and through events hosted at the Smithsonian Institution. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.