Did a 600 Year Old Volcanic Eruption Knock Down The Surrounding Forest

Robert I. McFarland* and Graham Andrews, Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Field (Broad Category): Geography/Geology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

Student’s Major: Geology 

There are several fallen redwood trees around the obsidian dome in California. Many of these trees may have fallen due to volcanic blasts caused during the formation of the dome. Lidar data will be used to determine if the trees had fallen due to these blasts or if it was due to weather and surrounding geology in the area. If these trees have fallen due to the volcanic blasts it can provide vital information on who would need to be evacuated from the area if the domes were to become active again by using the data to determine the strength of the blasts. Lidar data was gathered in this area and stripped down to show only fallen trees. These trees were marked using QGIS and the slope, aspect, length, and direction of the fallen trees was analyzed to determine if the blasts caused the destruction or if it was by natural forces. If the trees have fallen due to the obsidian dome there will be a correlation in the direction the tree lie and no correlation to the slope of the hills in the area. If the trees have fallen due to the blasts the force will be calculated by using the distance of the tree have fallen and the size of the trees. This will allow communities nearby to be aware of any possible danger if the dome was to reactivate. 

Funding: 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: My efforts were mainly voluntary.