Monitoring active volcanoes is crucial for ensuring the safety of millions of people who live nearby. When eruptions occur, data on the viscosity of lava is essential for estimating the extent of possible damage and informing evacuation plans and disaster response efforts. However, collecting accurate data on lava viscosity can be challenging due to the nature of eruptions, which can vary widely in their intensity and behavior.
Researchers from the University at Buffalo have developed a tool for measuring the viscosity of lava, which could improve our understanding of molten rock and help authorities make more informed decisions during volcanic eruptions. Viscosity is a measure of how fast a fluid flows, with low-viscosity fluids flowing quickly like water, and viscous fluids moving slower, like molasses. Current methods for measuring lava viscosity are often insufficient, especially in areas where frequent lava eruptions impact infrastructure like roads and communities.
The main challenge with measuring lava viscosity is that most experiments are conducted in a lab, where it is difficult to replicate the conditions of an actual volcanic eruption. When lava erupts from a volcano, it contains trapped gases that are released as bubbles in the lava flow. Lab measurements typically do not account for these gases, which can influence how the lava flows. Field measurements are necessary to capture these dynamics, but past attempts at measuring lava viscosity in the field have been largely unsuccessful.
The University at Buffalo team addressed this challenge by developing a lightweight and durable instrument for measuring lava viscosity in the field. They tested the device during a trip to an active volcano in Iceland, where they collected data on the lava in different locations and at different times. This data is crucial for understanding how lava evolves as it spreads and cools, providing valuable insights into its physical properties.
The researchers hope to further refine their instrument and make it available to research groups and monitoring stations at volcanoes around the world. By improving our ability to measure lava viscosity in the field, we can enhance our understanding of volcanic eruptions and improve our ability to protect communities at risk. This innovative tool has the potential to revolutionize how we monitor and respond to volcanic activity, ultimately saving lives and mitigating the impact of these natural disasters.