Calbuco Volcanic Ash Samples from the 2015 Eruption in Chile

Volcanic ash samples were collected and analysed following the 2015 eruption of Calbuco volcano in Chile. The dataset includes electron probe microanalysis for major element compositions and grain size analysis conducted with a laser particle sizer. Data was produced under NERC grant NE/N007271/1 and published as a supplement to a 2016 Geophysical Research Letters paper.

Use Cases

• Analyze volcanic plume behavior and hazards based on ash thickness and grain size measurements.
• Study magma chemistry and eruption processes based on major element compositions of plagioclase, glass, and melt inclusions.
• Model ash fallout distribution based on field-collected thickness data and sample locations.
• Investigate volcanic lightning generation mechanisms using correlated plume and compositional data.

Strengths

• Data is linked to a peer-reviewed publication in Geophysical Research Letters (2016), providing academic context.
• Analytical methods are described in detail, including specific equipment (JEOL JXA-8600 microprobe, Malvern Laser Particle Sizer) and standards used.
• Samples were collected shortly after deposition, likely preserving primary ash characteristics.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale statistical modeling.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS), University of Oxford.

Collection Method

Field collection of ash samples followed by laboratory analysis using electron microprobe and laser particle sizing.

Time Range

2015

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 08:40:23.547402; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Calbuco volcano, Chile.