Seismicity preceding volcanic eruptions: New experimental insights
- Luigi Burlini*1,
- Sergio Vinciguerra2,
- Giulio Di Toro3,
- Giuseppe De Natale4,
- Philip Meredith5 and
- Jean-Pierre Burg6
- 1Institute of Geology, ETH, Leonhardstrasse 19 LEB, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- 2HP-HT Laboratory, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, 00143 Rome, Italy
- 3Dipartimento di Geologia, Paleontologia e Geofisica, Università di Padova, 35137 Padua, Italy, and Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Unità operativa di Padova, CNR, Padova, Italy
- 4Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-Osservatorio Vesuviano, 80124 Naples, Italy
- 5Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- 6Institute of Geology, ETH, Leonhardstrasse 19 LEB, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Abstract
A variety of seismic signals representing different physical mechanisms precedes volcanic eruptions. The most meaningful signals are high- and low-frequency earthquakes and volcanic tremor that have tentatively been related to fracturing and magma transport in the volcanic edifice. We provide experimental support for this association by reproducing magma migration while recording seismic signals. Opening fractures emit high-frequency acoustic events, while the switch to low frequency and harmonic tremor accompanies the flow of the melt in the fractures. Discerning between these seismic signals in nature can significantly refine volcanic hazard evaluation.
- rock physics
- volcanic risk
- volcanic tremor
- acoustic emissions
- melts
- eruption precursor
- volcanic hazard mitigation
- seismic signals
- seismicity
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- Received 14 July 2006.
- Accepted 4 October 2006.
- Revision received 25 September 2006.
- Geological Society of America
