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An evaluation of heat flow and its geological implications on Mt. St. Helens
Author(s) -
Grady T.,
Brown R. L.,
Adams E.,
Sato A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl009i004p00377
Subject(s) - pyroclastic rock , geology , heat flux , snowpack , heat flow , deposition (geology) , pumice , thermal diffusivity , flux (metallurgy) , flow (mathematics) , thermal conductivity , heat transfer , thermal , geomorphology , meteorology , volcano , seismology , mechanics , snow , thermodynamics , materials science , geography , physics , sediment , metallurgy
A study to determine the heat flux pattern in the vicinity of Mt. St. Helens was undertaken as part of a program to evaluate the effects of the eruption on future snowpack conditions in the area. Subsurface temperature and low energy refraction seismic studies were made during the early spring in 1981 to determine both the heat flux in the area of pyroclastic deposition and its potential source. In addition, samples were collected for later laboratory determination of thermal conductivity and diffusivity. Results indicate that the heat flow values in the area of pyroclastic deposition are as large as forty times greater than the heat flow values measured on Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood during the same period. The highest heat flow values appear to coincide with a pumice flow unit on the north side of the mountain. Comparison with work done on the eruption of Mt. Komagatake indicates that the large heat flow values may continue for several years.