The Fluid Mechanics of Pyroclastic Density Currents

Abstract

Pyroclastic density currents are generated in explosive volcanic eruptions when gas and particle mixtures remain denser than the surrounding atmosphere. These mobile currents have a diversity of flow regimes, from energetic granular flows to turbulent suspensions. Given their hazardous nature, much of our understanding of the internal dynamics of these currents has been explored through mathematical and computational models. This review discusses the anatomy of these currents and their phenomenology and places these observations in the context of forces driving the currents. All aspects of the current dynamics are influenced by multiphase interactions, and the study of these currents offers insight into a high-energy end-member of multiphase flow. At low concentration, momentum transfer is dominated by particle-gas drag. At higher concentration, particle collisions, friction, and gas pore pressure act to redistribute momentum. This review examines end-member theoretical models for dilute and concentrated flow and then considers insight gained from multiphase simulations of pyroclastic density currents.