Ash Flow Tuffs

References: Smith, RL, 1960, As flows. Geol. Soc. America Bull., 71:795-842. Sparks, RSJ, 1976, Grain size variations in ignimbrites and implications for the transport of pyroclastic flows: Sedimentology, 23:147-188. Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, pp. 581-599

Fluidization
Upward gas velocity supports particles A large range of sizes supported Very large sorting coefficient Gas escape structures Pumice concentration zones Elutriation Low viscosity

Morphology
Controlled by topography Fill depressions Even upper surface Valley ponded deposits Veneer deposits Multiple lobes and fans Lateral levees

Pyroclastic Flows of 472 AD, Vesuvius

AD 472

Standard Section (Sparks, 1976)

Layer 1 (ground layer or surge)

contact AD 79

Layer 2 (flow unit) Layer 2a (fine-grained basal) Layer 2b (main body of flow) Layer 3 (ash cloud)

Base of Bandelier Tuff

2b 2a fall soil

Gas Pipe

Honeycomb Hills, Utah

2b

2a Plinian fall

Komagatake Tuff, Japan

fall

Pyroclastic flow

Soil Pyroclastic fall

Ash-flow Sheets, Smith (1960)

Flow units Cooling units Welded tuffs Compound cooling units

Partly Welded Bishop Tuff

Welding (Ragan & Sheridan)

Degree of welding
Non-welded Partially welded Densely welded

Partly Welded Bishop Tuff

Density is a good index Welding (density) profiles

Pumice

Vitrophyre, Armenia

Secondary Crystallization
Vitrophyre Devitrification Lithophysae Vapor-phase crystallization Zeolitization

Sheet Morphology
Generally plateau forming Steep marginal escarpments Non-welded upper layers removed Erosion of soft material into teepees

Teepees, Bandelier Tuff