Block-and-ash flow deposition: A conceptual model from a GPR survey on pyroclastic-flow deposits at Merapi Volcano, Indonesia

In 2006, a series of block-and-ash flows swept the southwestern and southern flanks of Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia. In the K. Gendol valley, near the village of Kaliadem, we conducted a GPR survey on the most distal lobe of the June 14th second block-and-ash flow deposit. For this 100 m-long transect, we used a commercial GPR RAMAC© mounted with 100 MHz antennas. We measured the topography with a synchronized GPS and a laser rangefinder. Back at the laboratory, we processed the dataset with the software REFLEX®. Data of the subsurface reveals a series of layers, separated by strong reflective horizons. These horizons are the manifestation of intercalations of fine materials in between more coarse layers. The architecture of these layers presents progradation, retrogradation and aggradation patterns that we relate to the block-and-ash flow deposition process. Based on these observations we proposed a relative chronology of the deposition and a simple conceptual model of the deposition. The model show that the block-and-ash flow can deposit either long, close to horizontal single layers, or shorter layers that imbricate themselves, following different patterns (progradation, retrogradation or aggradation). Nevertheless we remained cautious, since we only studied a very short portion of the deposit, and similar experiences need to be repeated. Moreover there are reflections in the radargram that we could not identify, and further studies need to be conducted.