Abstract
The Merapi Volcanic debris flow, which is familiarly known as lahar, is formed from pyroclastic deposits that is slided by high rain water. Now, the pyroclastic deposits are produced from a collapsing lava dome. The suspension flows downhill in a high speed, to produce a turbulent flow. That flow are usually developed within areas of a different morphology having high to lower slope gradient, known as a slope fold of a foot hill. The study is based on the measurement and identification of large fragments of the surface deposits. Analysis includes imbrication direction, grain shape, and grain size of the fragments. The result of the study shows the model of a flow direction of large fragments of upper part of debris that form “frog back model” or “elephant back model”. The head of the frog or elephant explains the flow direction. The result of the research confirms that the model is valid for fragments having a range size of diameter of 90 cm or larger. In the studied area, the fragment of 90 cm in diameter has reached a distance up to 22 km from the source. Therefore the result of this research is able to be used as a model in determining the paleo-debris flows of unknown source.
Keywords: lahar, fragment, imbrication, model, flow
The Merapi Volcanic debris flow, which is familiarly known as lahar, is formed from pyroclastic deposits that is slided by high rain water. Now, the pyroclastic deposits are produced from a collapsing lava dome. The suspension flows downhill in a high speed, to produce a turbulent flow. That flow are usually developed within areas of a different morphology having high to lower slope gradient, known as a slope fold of a foot hill. The study is based on the measurement and identification of large fragments of the surface deposits. Analysis includes imbrication direction, grain shape, and grain size of the fragments. The result of the study shows the model of a flow direction of large fragments of upper part of debris that form “frog back model” or “elephant back model”. The head of the frog or elephant explains the flow direction. The result of the research confirms that the model is valid for fragments having a range size of diameter of 90 cm or larger. In the studied area, the fragment of 90 cm in diameter has reached a distance up to 22 km from the source. Therefore the result of this research is able to be used as a model in determining the paleo-debris flows of unknown source.
Keywords: lahar, fragment, imbrication, model, flow