Computer Modeling/Simulation: Volcano

by Jeffrey Miller

Submitted : Spring 2011

Mount Tambora is an active statovolcano which is located on the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. This volcano was once as high as 4,300 meters due to the subduction zone it sat on. After magma built up the volcano erupted in 1815. The explosion left a caldera in the volcano 7 kilometers across and 700 meters deep. After the explosion the height had been reduced to 2851 meters. Calculate the volume of the volcano before the explosion using an elliptic paraboloid, and the amount of volume lost in the explosion. Take into account the caldera left by the explosion in the volume of mountain lost. Calculate mass of mountain lost and total force needed. Repeat the calculations assuming the model was an elliptical hyperboloid.

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