Direct Numerical Simulation of a Volcanic Plume on Io
Abstract
A gaseous volcanic plume is modeled using the Direct Simulation Monte
Carlo method in order to simulate the eruption of a SO2
volcano on the surface of the Jovian moon Io. The plume is
axisymmetric and exhausts into a uniform gravitational field. The
core of the plume is continuum while the remaining flow is rarefied.
The surface of Io is modeled as a cold boundary upon which the rate of
condensation is varied. A second, non-condensible gas is added to
simulate the possible effects of quantities of H2S or
O2 in the atmosphere. The presence of the non-condensible
gas is shown to generate either a hydraulic jump condition of a
blanketing effect.
Last revised: July 22, 1996