Crown, D.A., J.M. Byrnes, and M.S. Ramsey, Department of Geology and Planetary Science, 200 SRCC Building, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Studies of terrestrial volcanoes are being used to develop techniques for interpretation of the styles of volcanic processes and the evolution of volcanic centers on Mars, Venus, and Io. Field observations, differential Global Positioning System (dGPS) measurements, and remote sensing analyses of the Mauna Ulu flow field (Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii) allow detailed characterization of the textural and morphologic variability of flow field surfaces as well as provide a means to generate surface unit maps that represent local flow emplacement processes and constrain flow field development. Past studies examined discrete lobes of pahoehoe toes and small channel systems and related the distribution of surface units to pre-eruptive topography and major lava tube segments.

Current work investigates surface and subsurface distributary networks and local flow stratigraphy. The medial zone of the Mauna Ulu flow field (between the near-vent region and coastal plain) is considered to be predominantly composed of tube-fed pahoehoe emplaced as a series of large lobes with centralized, major feeder tubes. Mapping this region of the flow field has revealed numerous lava tube and channel segments not previously documented on flow field maps. Transitions between tubes and channels are common. These parts of the distributary system are small (up to a few meters in diameter), but appear to have transported significant volumes of lava given their lengths and the apparent volumes of associated breakouts and levee systems. Tube and channel segments are not continuously exposed, and inflation and surface breakouts complicate reconstruction of the lava transport network. Identification and analysis of breakouts from the subsurface allow the complex patterns of overlapping surface units to be related to the distributary system, subsurface storage localities to be documented, and local flow stratigraphy to be interpreted. Detailed characterizations of terrestrial flow fields provide critical insights for evaluating flow field emplacement on planetary surfaces. Synthesis of multiple remote sensing datasets and precise topographic and positional information permits such factors as local emplacement processes, topographic controls, changes with distance from the eruptive vent, and local superposition relationships to be utilized to assess flow emplacement styles and flow field evolution.

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Submitted: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
Date: December 10 - 14, 2001