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Laser Remote Optical Granulometry (LROG)

  • Laser Remote Optical Granulometry (LROG) is the set of a new instrument and a method that allow for the remote textural study of outcrops of sedimentary deposits. It is fully developed by the authors and it is based on hi-resolution imaging and stereologic techniques.

    LROG instrument consists of a high resolution digital camera (stand-alone or coupled to a small telescope) in parallel to a 3 laser projection system (previously collimated by means of a separated electronic module). The method consists in taking high resolution images of the outcrop, which can be several tens of meters away, containing the 3 laser points acting as a precision reference scale. This scaling system is independent to the distance of the instrument to the outcrop. During the analysis phase, a set of lines, parallel to the sedimentary deposit, are superimposed to the image which contain also the reference points. The length of the intersection of each line with each particle is measured and tabulated. Depending on the optical system and the distance to the outcrop, particles as low as 0.1 mm up to several meters can be measured precisely. The resolution of the measurements is only limited by the number of intercept lines placed over the image.

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    Textural analysis allows the description, correlation, differentiation and to infer about those processes that carried out the formation of a volcanic sedimentary deposit. The term texture has a global meaning which imply granulometry, shape and fabric of all particles that constitute the sedimentary deposit. Measuring granulometric variations, it is possible to infer about: a) the eruptive history (ie. duration, intensity, evolution and rhythm); b) the processes that happened at the time of the expulsion of pyroclastic material (ie. explosivity index, fragmentation grade); c) processes occurred during their transport before deposition and d) how the material was deposited or later reworked. Classic granulometric analysis is performed by means of collecting a sample of the outcrop’s material, passing it through a set of sieves with different aperture and create a frequency curve based on the mean weight of the particles stored on each sieve container. It is an invasive technique, sieves are often stuck and allows only for a limited set of particle diameter measurements. LROG is very useful when the outcrop is inaccessible, contain very loose or too consolidated material and whenever it is risky for human health. It is the only instrument and method that allow for a total granulometric measurement (from finest to largest particles), even it can be used on extraterrestrial planetary surfaces. LROG is actually used for the textural analysis of several pyroclastic deposits like Joya Honda, Volcan de Colima, Nevado de Toluca (Mexico) and Mt St. Helens (USA). It is applied also to other areas of knowledge like archaeology, paleontology, art restoration and civil engineering.

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    GRANFLOW-SIM

  • The use of experimental channel has been diffused in several research centers due to their great efficiency in simulating, on a reduced scale, granular flows in totally controlled environments. One of these devices, and the first of its kind built in Mexico, is the Granular Flow Simulator GRANFLOW-SIM of the Institute of Geology of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi..

    GRANFLOW-SIM is an experimental channel 5 meters long and 0.3 meters wide. It is composed of three modules that make it a very versatile system since its geometric characteristics can be easily modified to suit the needs of the experiment that one wishes to do. These modules are: Material container: It is a box of 20cm x 20cm x 90cm that is capable of containing up to 50 kg of rock material. It is equipped with an electromagnetic lock that is controlled electronically from a control box.

    Channel: The channel is 5 m long by 0.3 m wide. It is made of wood on a metal structure. The chute can adopt inclinations ranging from 5 ° to 45 °. It is in this module that you can find the largest number of sensors. It has glass walls which facilitate the taking of side videos as well as photographs at any point in the channel. It has a pirelli floor surface to add roughness to the bottom.

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    Sedimentation unit: The sedimentation unit is the area in which materials decelerate and settle. It has a length of 2.5 m and a width of 1.4 m. This section can also have variable inclinations ranging from 0 ° to 20 °. It also has glass walls for taking videos or photographs.

    Sensors: Both the channel and sedimentation unit are equipped with a wide range of sensors including laser barriers for the study of kinematics of avalanches; load cells for the dynamic study of volume distribution and mass in the channel; piezoelectric sensors and microphones to study the type of interaction between particles and the granular flow temperature; cameras and video for studies of optical velocimetry and to see in slow motion the development of phenomena. The variety of sensors and the modularity of this channel allow the development of diverse studies on granular flows both dry and wet.

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