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Simultaneous creation of a large vapor plume and pumice raft by a shallow submarine eruption
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  • Kristen Fauria,
  • Martin Jutzeler,
  • Tushar Mittal,
  • Ashok Gupta,
  • Liam Kelly,
  • John Rausch,
  • Ralf Bennartz,
  • Brent Delbridge,
  • Lise Retailleau
Kristen Fauria
Vanderbilt University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Martin Jutzeler
UTAS
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Tushar Mittal
MIT
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Ashok Gupta
Vanderbilt University
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Liam Kelly
Vanderbilt University
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John Rausch
Vanderbilt University
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Ralf Bennartz
Vanderbilt University
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Brent Delbridge
LANL
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Lise Retailleau
Université de Paris
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Abstract

The August 12, 2021 eruption of Fukutoku-Okanoba, a shallow submarine volcano in the Izu-Bonin arc of Japan, is one of few documented submarine eruptions to make a large aerial plume and floating pumice raft. Relative to past eruptions, this event was well-covered by multiple high resolution satellite remote sensors. Here we use satellite remote sensing to assess the eruption style, rates, and products. We find that the 16 km plume was water-rich. Furthermore, we conclude that the 0.1 km^3 raft and 16 km plume were co-genetic and suggest that pumice clasts were delivered to the raft by tephra jets rather than plume fallout. Finally, this eruption highlights a discrepancy between small erupted volumes and high plume heights that may be common for shallow explosive subaqueous eruptions.