Using A Thermocouple To Measure Temperature
Using A Thermocouple To Measure Temperature
This is the direct method of measuring lava temperatures. A thermocouple
probe is inserted into the flow, and the temperature is read off by a
hand-held device. This particular flow was not very active so it was easy
to approach it and stay long enough for the thermocouple to equilibrate in
the lava. Many times this is not the case and the temperature readings
are not very accurate. In fact, George Walker (a famous volcanologist)
has said "the temperature of a lava flow is inversely proportional to the
comfort of the volcanologist making the measurement". (photo by P.
Mouginis-Mark)
The volcanologist must have been
pretty comfortable this day because the measured temperature was almost
1160 degrees C (almost 2100 degrees F).
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