How could you calculate the energy of a volcano?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the energy of a volcanic eruption, key variables include the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), total ejecta, duration, and plume height. Understanding the purpose behind the calculation helps clarify which variables are essential. The primary focus is often on the amount of ejecta, while secondary factors like eruption duration and plume characteristics also play a role. Some methods involve analyzing shockwaves generated by eruptions, similar to how explosive events are assessed. Comparisons are made between volcanic eruptions and nuclear explosions, although it is noted that these events cannot be easily compared on a single scale due to their differing mechanisms and impacts. For instance, explosive volcanoes release significant amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere, while nuclear explosions create immediate destruction and firestorms. Measuring the magnitude of eruptions can involve tracking the mass of materials ejected into the stratosphere and analyzing sediment fallout in various environments.
Ax_xiom
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TL;DR Summary
Finding what method people use to calculate the energy of volcanic eruptions
So how can I calculate the energy of a volcanic eruption? If I know the VEI, total ejecta, duration and plume height would that be enough or would I need more variables?
 
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Ax_xiom said:
So how can I calculate the energy of a volcanic eruption?
If you can explain why you want to calculate the energy of a volcanic eruption, then the variables you must include, will become obvious.
 
Ax_xiom said:
TL;DR Summary: Finding what method people use to calculate the energy of volcanic eruptions

So how can I calculate the energy of a volcanic eruption?
"Tambora/Yellowstone." or Mt. St. Helen's/Paracutin? "The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean," perhaps?
 
Bystander said:
"Tambora/Yellowstone." or Mt. St. Helen's/Paracutin? "The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean," perhaps?
More Mt Tambora but I would like to know the methods used to calculate energies for all eruptions
 
Baluncore said:
If you can explain why you want to calculate the energy of a volcanic eruption, then the variables you must include, will become obvious.
I want to compare the energy output of volcanic eruptions to nuclear bombs and other natural disasters. I'm assuming that the amount of ejecta would be the main variable, with stuff like duration, plume height and type of lava would be secondary variables
 
I suppose the number of times the shock wave travels round the earth would be a guide to the energy.
 
After a bit of research I think that what people actually do to calculate the energy release of a volcano is to look at the shockwave and then use it to calculate the energy (like you would do with an explosion). An example is here where they compared Hunga Tonga to Tsar Bomba and Mt St Helens. Although most sources don't show how they did the maths to arrive at the numbers they did :(
 
Ax_xiom said:
I want to compare the energy output of volcanic eruptions to nuclear bombs and other natural disasters.
I don't think they can be compared on a one dimensional scale.
For a start, Hawaiian type volcanoes do not explode. Those volcanoes that do explode, push a lot of mineral dust, gas and water up into the stratosphere.

A nuclear bomb would knock over a city, then burn it in a firestorm, convecting the combustion products, up into the stratosphere.

The destruction of a meteorite in the Earth's atmosphere is similar, in that it first generates a shockwave, then a strong wind, driven by convection of the heated air column. Bigger body impact events, will behave like an explosive volcano.

So, how to measure the magnitude of the event? A shock wave is hard to monitor, even during a predicted event. The total mass of surface material entering the stratosphere would be one metric. It could be assessed by the later fallout of sediment onto snowfields, glaciers and icecaps.
 
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