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- Document: Report (5.6 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
- Larger Work: This publication is Chapter R of Distributed volcanism—Characteristics, processes, and hazards
- Data Release: Data release - Data and codes utilized for the study of the lava flow of Little Cones, Nevada, USA, using UAV magnetic data (ver. 1)
- NGMDB Index Page: National Geologic Map Database Index Page (html)
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Abstract
Magnetic surveys are an important tool used to augment geologic mapping in distributed volcanic fields. Using magnetic anomalies, it is possible to model the geometry of shallowly buried volcanic features, such as conduits, sills, and lava flows. This subsurface mapping is important for understanding eruption dynamics and emplacement of lava flows, and it sometimes reveals buried volcanoes no longer visible at the surface. These data are critical to better interpret the numbers, styles, and magnitudes of eruptions in distributed volcanic fields and their associated volcanic hazards. New advances in unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer an attractive middle range of resolution and aerial coverage between ground-based magnetic surveys and aeromagnetic surveys.
Here, we present the results of a UAV fluxgate magnetic survey of the Little Cones, Nevada, scoria cones, which have been the target of previous ground and aeromagnetic surveys. The magnetic anomalies at Little Cones are of interest because the surrounding alluvium conceals lava flows that erupted from Little Cones, making it very difficult to understand the volume and morphology of lava flows from geologic mapping alone. Nonlinear inversion of UAV-collected magnetic data were used to model the thickness and morphology of buried Little Cones’ lava flows with higher precision than achieved previously. The sequence of events and calculated flow characteristics are then interpreted. The total volume of Little Cones, including concealed lava flows, is approximately 0.016 cubic kilometer, and the initial sheet flow erupted in less than 24 hours. The findings presented herein demonstrate that UAV-based magnetic surveys are a reliable method of data collection and an efficient alternative to other survey methods, facilitating development of a three-dimensional perspective of distributed volcanic fields.
Suggested Citation
Van Alphen, R., Rodgers, M., Malservisi, R., Connor, C.B., Bakowski, R., and Berkey, T., 2026, High-resolution magnetic survey using an unoccupied aerial vehicle to constrain buried lava flow geometry, volume, and eruptive history of Little Cones, Crater Flat, Nevada, chap. R of Poland, M.P., Ort, M.H., Stovall, W.K., Vaughan, R.G., Connor, C.B., and Rumpf, M.E., eds., Distributed volcanism—Characteristics, processes, and hazards: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1890, 28 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1890R.
ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussions
- Conclusions
- References Cited
- Appendix 1. Supplemental Material
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | High-resolution magnetic survey using an unoccupied aerial vehicle to constrain buried lava flow geometry, volume, and eruptive history of Little Cones, Crater Flat, Nevada |
| Series title | Professional Paper |
| Series number | 1890 |
| Chapter | R |
| DOI | 10.3133/pp1890R |
| Publication Date | June 05, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Volcano Science Center |
| Description | Report: vii, 28 p.; Data Release |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| Other Geospatial | Crater Flat |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |