Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far East
Geyser geothermal fields are scenic volcanic landforms that often contain tens to hundreds of thermal spot vents that erupt boiling water or contain bubbling mud pools. The fields are potentially hazardous sites due to boiling water temperatures and changes in vent locations and eruption dynamics, w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | GeoHazards |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-795X/4/1/5 |
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| author | Masoud Allahbakhshi Alina V. Shevchenko Alexander B. Belousov Marina G. Belousova Horst Kämpf Thomas R. Walter |
| author_facet | Masoud Allahbakhshi Alina V. Shevchenko Alexander B. Belousov Marina G. Belousova Horst Kämpf Thomas R. Walter |
| author_sort | Masoud Allahbakhshi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Geyser geothermal fields are scenic volcanic landforms that often contain tens to hundreds of thermal spot vents that erupt boiling water or contain bubbling mud pools. The fields are potentially hazardous sites due to boiling water temperatures and changes in vent locations and eruption dynamics, which are poorly understood. Here we report on the rapid and profound changes that can affect such a geyser field and ultimately lead to a dangerous, unanticipated eruption. We studied the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka Peninsula, which is a field of geysers and other thermal features and boiling pools. Using high-resolution tri-stereo satellite data and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with optical and thermal infrared cameras in 2018 and 2019, we were able to identify a newly emerging explosion site. Structure-from-motion analysis of data acquired before and after the explosion reveals morphological and thermal details of the new vent. The explosion site produced an aureole zone of more than 150 m<sup>3</sup> of explosively redeposited gravel and clay, a slightly elliptical crater with a diameter of 7.5 m and a crater rim 0.30 m high. However, comparison with archives of photogrammetric data suggests that this site was thermally active years earlier and contained a crater that was obscured and covered by landslides and river sediments. The results allow us to develop a conceptual model and highlight the hazard potential of thermal features buried by landslides and clastic deposits. Sudden explosions may occur at similar sites elsewhere, highlighting the need for careful assessment and monitoring of geomorphological and hydrological changes at geyser sites in other regions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:28:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-346a4d3faa7e488189c9c10b43c323b4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-795X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:28:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | GeoHazards |
| spelling | doaj.art-346a4d3faa7e488189c9c10b43c323b42023-11-17T11:19:27ZengMDPI AGGeoHazards2624-795X2023-03-0141607610.3390/geohazards4010005Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far EastMasoud Allahbakhshi0Alina V. Shevchenko1Alexander B. Belousov2Marina G. Belousova3Horst Kämpf4Thomas R. Walter5GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, GermanyGFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, GermanyFaculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Ulikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, EstoniaFaculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Ulikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, EstoniaGFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, GermanyGFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, GermanyGeyser geothermal fields are scenic volcanic landforms that often contain tens to hundreds of thermal spot vents that erupt boiling water or contain bubbling mud pools. The fields are potentially hazardous sites due to boiling water temperatures and changes in vent locations and eruption dynamics, which are poorly understood. Here we report on the rapid and profound changes that can affect such a geyser field and ultimately lead to a dangerous, unanticipated eruption. We studied the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka Peninsula, which is a field of geysers and other thermal features and boiling pools. Using high-resolution tri-stereo satellite data and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with optical and thermal infrared cameras in 2018 and 2019, we were able to identify a newly emerging explosion site. Structure-from-motion analysis of data acquired before and after the explosion reveals morphological and thermal details of the new vent. The explosion site produced an aureole zone of more than 150 m<sup>3</sup> of explosively redeposited gravel and clay, a slightly elliptical crater with a diameter of 7.5 m and a crater rim 0.30 m high. However, comparison with archives of photogrammetric data suggests that this site was thermally active years earlier and contained a crater that was obscured and covered by landslides and river sediments. The results allow us to develop a conceptual model and highlight the hazard potential of thermal features buried by landslides and clastic deposits. Sudden explosions may occur at similar sites elsewhere, highlighting the need for careful assessment and monitoring of geomorphological and hydrological changes at geyser sites in other regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-795X/4/1/5geyser geothermal fieldslope instabilityexplosion hazard |
| spellingShingle | Masoud Allahbakhshi Alina V. Shevchenko Alexander B. Belousov Marina G. Belousova Horst Kämpf Thomas R. Walter Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far East GeoHazards geyser geothermal field slope instability explosion hazard |
| title | Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far East |
| title_full | Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far East |
| title_fullStr | Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far East |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far East |
| title_short | Geothermal Explosion at the 2014 Landslide-Covered Area of the Geyser Valley, Kamchatka, Russian Far East |
| title_sort | geothermal explosion at the 2014 landslide covered area of the geyser valley kamchatka russian far east |
| topic | geyser geothermal field slope instability explosion hazard |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-795X/4/1/5 |
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