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An Approach to In-Situ Observations of Volcanic PlumesVolcanoes have long been recognized as playing a dominant role in the birth, and possibly the death, of biological populations. They are possible sources of primordial gases, provide conditions sufficient for creating amino acids, strongly affect the heat balance in the atmosphere, and have been shown to sustain life (in oceanic vents.) Eruptions can have profound effects on local flora and fauna, and for very large eruptions, may alter global weather patterns and cause entire species to fail. Measurements of particulates, gases, and dynamics within a volcanic plume are critical to understanding both how volcanoes work and how plumes affect populations, environment, and aviation. Volcanic plumes and associated eruption columns are a miasma of toxic gases, corrosive condensates, and abrasive particulates that makes them hazardous to nearby populations and poses a significant risk to all forms of aviation. Plumes also provide a mechanism for sampling the volcanic interior, which, for hydrothermal environments, may host unique biological populations.
Document ID
20050175907
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Smythe, W. D.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Lopes, M. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Pieri, D. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Hall, J. L.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI, Part 18
Subject Category
Geophysics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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