Thickness variations and volume estimates of tephra fall deposits: the importance of particle Reynolds number

Abstract

Abstract Well-preserved tephra fall deposits display thickness variations which are more complex than simple exponential thinning. On plots of log thickness against square root of area enclosed by an isopach contour, many deposits show two or more approximately straight-line segments and in some cases regions of curvature. We show that major changes in thinning rate occur as the particle size decreases with distance from the vent, as a consequence of the change of settling behaviour from high to low Reynolds number as predicted by W.I. Rose. Computer models of sedimentation from laterally spreading plumes predict a steep proximal segment with exponential thinning for coarse ejecta (lapilli and coarse ash) with high Reynolds number (Re>500). At greater distance finer ejecta are predicted to show power-law thinning. Two distal segments are identified. The most distal segment is composed of low Reynolds number particles and can be approximated by an exponential thinning law, but is better described by a power law. The distal and proximal segments are connected by a curved segment containing mixed populations of intermediate (0.4