Volcanic plume heights on Mars: Limits of validity for convective models

Previous studies have overestimated volcanic plume heights on Mars. In this work, we demonstrate that volcanic plume rise models, as currently formulated, have only limited validity in any environment. These limits are easily violated in the current Mars environment and may also be violated for terrestrial and early Mars conditions. We indicate some of the shortcomings of the model with emphasis on the limited applicability to current Mars conditions. Specifically, basic model assumptions are violated when (1) vertical velocities exceed the speed of sound, (2) radial expansion rates exceed the speed of sound, (3) radial expansion rates approach or exceed the vertical velocity, or (4) plume radius grossly exceeds plume height. All of these criteria are violated for the typical Mars example given here. Solutions imply that the convective rise model is only valid to a height of ∼10 km. The reason for the model breakdown is that the current Mars atmosphere is not of sufficient density to satisfy the conservation equations. It is likely that diffusion and other effects governed by higher‐order differential equations are important within the first few kilometers of rise. When the same criteria are applied to eruptions into a higher‐density early Mars atmosphere, we find that eruption rates higher than 1.4 × 10 9 kg/s also violate model assumptions. This implies a maximum extent of ∼65 km for convective plumes on early Mars. The estimated plume heights for both current and early Mars are significantly lower than those previously predicted in the literature. Therefore, global‐scale distribution of ash seems implausible.