WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Although a growing number of volcanic eruption models is being developed using a variety of conceptual approaches, it is imperative that all models use the same values for these fundamental parameters so that their individual performance can be assessed. By running models in this way, the differences in results will reflect contrasting formulations, and thus provide insights into the processes being modeled. A specific set of experiments will be devised by the modelers at the workshop using a common protocol (but with individual approaches and formulations). The objectives of the workshop will thus be to produce a standard set of parameters and a set of model "experiments" to be performed by the all models.

Consequently, the workshop will bring the growing community of volcanic eruption modelers together with experimentalists and observationalists to accomplish two specific objectives:

1. Ensure that modelers are provided the most up-to-date values of magmatic parameters on the basis of recent experimental results and observations, and

2. Establish a standardized set of model "experiments" with identical magma and conduit characteristics and with a common protocol so that model results can be subsequently meaningfully compared and evaluated.

The workshop will be aimed to set up a suite of "experiments" and assess model performance using the growing body of experimental data and observations as constraints. With this result, modeling participants will return to their labs, and in the following months, will perform the full suite of model runs, providing the specific set of output required by the standard protocol. The results will be subsequently compiled and evaluated to determine the sources of differences in model output. (Based on prior experience with model intercomparison workshops, there are sure to be major differences.) Modelers will then be able to revisit their models to explore the sensitivity of their formulations to variations in functionalization so that the key differences can be pinpointed. It is expected that once this is done, it will point to specific magma characteristics that are insufficiently understood. This, in turn, will spur experimentalists to return to their labs to focus attention on the most critical parameters identified by the model intercomparison results.

At the workshop, the participating experimentalists and monitoring specialists would "bring to the table" a set of constraints to be used by all models in their parameterization. In recent years, new experimental results have provided tighter constraints on magmatic parameters including:
• chemical diffusivity,
• thermal diffusivity,
• volatile solubility, and
• pre-eruptive dissolved volatile concentration.

In order to construct the most accurate model possible, it is necessary to use as realistic values for the above parameters as possible. In addition, recent experimental results have provided insights into the processes of
• bubble nucleation and growth,
• two phase conduit flow
• foam rheology, and
• fragmentation dynamics.
The presently unrealized opportunity now exists to incorporate these emerging results into numerical models as well.

The workshop will identify the specific model "experiments" to be run by the various participating modeling groups, and will provide the specific parametric constraints so that model results can be meaningfully assessed. This will then set the stage for a second meeting, where the results of the model runs can be compared and the differences explored and reconciled.

Send mail to alex.proussevitch@unh.edu with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: Tuesday May 08, 2007