The homepage of Robert Peckyno, Oregon State University Department of Geosciences

  
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PhD Research Focus:


The morphology and composition of lava flows

"Although model results by themselves cannot be used to determine the precise composition of a remotely sensed lava flow, if taken together, and compared with known terrestrial examples, they can help constrain emplacement behavior and thereby composition." (Warner and Gregg, 2003)

The study of volcanism and lava flows on extra-terrestrial bodies is constrained by the current inability of humans to perform a direct field analysis. Further, robotic field exploration of these areas is extremely difficult as the terrain is highly variable and broken making it largely inaccessible to the current generation of wheeled vehicles (Curtis, et.al., 2006). However, by analyzing the terrestrial emplacement of lava flows of known composition, a model can be created capable of constrain the composition of planetary flows. (Warner and Gregg, 2003; Anderson, 1998; Byrnes, 2002, etc.) Through measurements of flow slope and final emplacements, it is possible to infer viscosity with higher values of viscosity explained by either lower temperature at emplacement or compositional variation of the magma. (Ito and Kurita, 2005) Additionally, other factors, such as local gravity, eruption style, and the distribution of surface structures and textures (Fink, et.al., 1991, Anderson, et.al, 1998), must also be taken into account to arrive at an accurate compositional estimate.



Using remote sensing, cartographic, and GIS analysis to quantify the relationship between geomorphology and composition, this study will attempt to create a model capable of remotely deriving the composition of lava flows where human exploration is constrained. This study will commence by quantifying the geomorphology of four specific South American lava flows and domes of known compositions with negligible erosional deformation: San Pedro, La Poruña, Chao, and Cerro Chascon. Lobation arc lengths, radii, intermediate angle, flow heights, background slopes, flow slopes, and wrinkle ridging will be determined with existing satellite and aerial imagery, photogrammetry and 3D visualization. All of these factors will be compiled and layered within a GIS database and comparatively analyzed versus composition. Additionally, the fractal nature of the hierarchy of lobation within these flows will be explored in search of a mathematical characterization parameter relative to composition. Once a baseline model of the relationship between these parameters and flow composition is established, it will be tested on several varied terrestrial lava flows. If the model is confirmed, it will then be adapted in the GIS database to analogous planetary lava flows to constrain composition.

** Click here to see our 2008 AGU Poster - "Assessing the Impact of Data Resolution for Remote Sensing Based Models of Planetary Lava Flow Rheology" **

** Click here for to view an animated flash presentation describing the project in detail. ** (~16 minutes)



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Teaching
  • 2004-2006, University of North Dakota, Space Studies 200 - Introduction to Space Studies

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