The influence of variable emissivity on lava flow propagation modeling

Abstract Modeling lava flow propagation is important to determine potential hazards local populations. Thermo-rheological models such as PyFLOWGO track downflow cooling and rheological responses for open-channel, cooling-limited flows. The dominant radiative component governed partly by the emissivity, which a material property that governs efficiency. Emissivity commonly treated constant in models, but shown here vary with temperature. To establish effect of temperature on high spatiotemporal, multispectral thermal infrared data were acquired small emplaced from tumulus. An inverse correlation between emissivity was found, then integrated into model. Incorporating temperature-dependent term results ∼ 5% increase length < 75% lower total cumulative heat flux flow. evaluate scalability this relationship, we applied modified model simulations 2018 Lower East Rift Zone fissure 8 flow, May 27 June 3. Our improves emplacement match because ~ 30% resulting 7% longer compared modeling using (0.95). This 5–7% prior ocean entry, realized an accurate term, critical developing most future hazard assessments, particularly if population centers lie flow’s path.