# EAGER: Measuring 3-phase lava rheology at eruption conditions

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Texas at San Antonio (TX) · $261,540

## Abstract

Mauna Loa, on the Big Island of Hawai’i, is one of the largest and most active volcanoes on Earth. In the last few hundred years many flows emitted from either the summit or rift zones have reached the ocean. If that were to occur today, lava would cut the main highway around the island and cross the densely inhabited coastal strip. Lava flows erupted from the SW rift zone in the last 200 years reached the coast in as little as 3 hours. Future eruptions could potentially travel even faster. Lava flow hazard assessment requires accurate data on the viscosity of lava, which controls how fast it flows. These data must include the temperature range, crystallinity, and bubble content during eruptions. The UTSA HAMsTER lab recently developed a technique to measure the viscosity of erupting lava, including bubbles and crystals. However, the range of bubble and crystal contents that can be measured with this technique needs to be investigated. Lava will be collected from 4 different eruptions of Mauna Loa, and then used as starting materials for the experiments. The data will lead to better modeling of volcanic processes and lava flow hazards. These improvements will also apply to other volcanoes in the US and elsewhere. The project will support an Air Force veteran for the first two years of his PhD. Lab members will explain and demonstrate volcanoes to K-12 schools in San Antonio.

The goal of the project is to explore the capabilities of a new technique for measuring the rheolog

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2516309
- **Awardee organization:** University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** U44ZMVYU52U6
- **PI:** Alan G Whittington
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** EAGER
- **Estimated total:** $261,540
- **Funds obligated:** $261,540
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2025 → 06/30/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2516309

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2516309, EAGER: Measuring 3-phase lava rheology at eruption conditions. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2516309. Licensed CC0.

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