Name:Magflow
Description:Magflow: physical based modelling of lava flows
Abstract:The activity of Mt Etna is characterized by a great variety of eruptive processes that are potentially hazardous. Lava invasions from effusion vents are considered among those of major danger.<BR/><BR/>Risks and damage associated with lava flows propagation require a quantitative description of this phenomenon and a reliable forecasting of the paths.<BR/><BR/>We have developed a model based on Cellular Automata, called MAGFLOW, for physically based modeling of lava flows.<BR/><BR/><BR/><b>Magflow model</b><BR/><BR/>The MAGFLOW model is defined by a regular mesh with square cells.<BR/><BR/>Two state variables are defined for each cell: thickness of lava and quantity of heat. The states of the cells are synchronously updated according to local rules that depend on cells own values and the neighbors values within a certain proximity. A Monte Carlo approach is used to solve the anisotropic problem, deriving from the kind of evolution function used.<BR/><BR/><BR/><b>Applications</b><BR/><BR/>The MAGFLOW model was validated reproducing the 2001 Etna eruption. It was applied also to reproduce lava flows formed during the 2004 Etna eruption.<BR/>^
Created:2010-05-01
Last updated:2012-05-24
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