NSF Org:	EAR Division Of Earth Sciences
Recipient:	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Initial Amendment Date:	July 30, 2002
Latest Amendment Date:	July 30, 2002
Award Number:	0207303
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	H. Richard Lane EAR  Division Of Earth Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	September 1, 2002
End Date:	August 31, 2005 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$150,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$150,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2002 = $150,000.00
History of Investigator:	Gary Parker (Principal Investigator) parkerg@illinois.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 2221 UNIVERSITY AVE SE STE 100 MINNEAPOLIS MN  US  55414-3074 (612)624-5599
Sponsor Congressional District:	05
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 2221 UNIVERSITY AVE SE STE 100 MINNEAPOLIS MN  US  55414-3074
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	05
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	KABJZBBJ4B54
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	SCEC
Primary Program Source:	app-0102
Program Reference Code(s):	0000, OTHR
Program Element Code(s):	157100
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

The focus of the project is the observation of the dynamics of subaqueous volcaniclastic sedimentation from eruption-fed density currents, and the characteristics of the resulting deposits. Since the processes in question are almost impossible to observe in the field, an alternative approach will be employed here: the use of laboratory tanks to perform experiments that reproduce the deposits. The experiments have been designed to model as accurately as possible three settings: a) lacustrine turbidites of the Taupo volcano, New Zealand, b) submarine hyaloclastites consisting of limu shards and c) eruption-fed density currents of the style of Pahvant Butte. The results will be used to extend existing numerical models of turbidity currents to the case of 2-D and 3-D currents laden with vesiculated grains of variable size and density as well as hot water. The numerical models will provide new predictive tools for the study of volcaniclastic stratigraphy.

This research represents a collaborative effort between Gary Parker of the University of Minnesota (turbidity currents) and James White of the University of Otago, New Zealand (subaqueous volcaniclastic deposits).

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