Electrokinetic and Magnetic Fields Inside a Volcano

Electrokinetic and Magnetic Fields Inside a Volcano

This example demonstrates how to model electrokinetic voltages generated by fluid flowing through porous media and the magnetic fields that result from the electric current. Here rainfall infiltrates into the porous conduit of a relatively impermeable volcano edifice. The methods shown here are used for tracking subsurface flows (water, molten lava). The model also applies to analyses in which electromagnetic sensors are used to define the properties of water and oil reservoirs

This model couples Darcy Flow to DC conductive media and in-plane current magnetostatic fields. Three cases are described: (1) simplified 2-d block geometry with one-way coupling between fluid flow and electric potential; (2) 2-d volcano geometry with realistic topography and two-way coupling between fluid flow and electric potential; (3) the model is transformed for 3d analyses.

The electric potential in the volcano. The velocity field of the fluid flow is shown as arrows.


Engineering Fields

  • Multiphysics
  • Electrostatic & Magnetostatics Applications
  • AC & Quasi-Static Applications
  • Subsurface Flow
  • Multiphysics
  • Momentum Transfer & CFD

Application Areas

  • Hydrology, Subsurface Flow
  • Geophysics
  • Electrochemistry

Products Used

COMSOL RSS
© 1998-2009 COMSOL AB.
COMSOL, COMSOL Multiphysics, COMSOL Reaction Engineering Lab and FEMLAB are registered trademarks of COMSOL AB.
Other product or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All Rights Reserved.