Special Session: Interaction Between Observations and Models in Seismo-volcanic Studies
Type: Oral
Day: 5/15/2018
Time: 11:15 AM
Room: Flagler
Abstract
Repeating seismic events (which have a similar frequency content and waveform shape) have been identified at a number of active volcanoes around the world, including: Redoubt, Alaska; Mt. St. Helens, Washington; Tungurahua, Ecuador; and Soufriere Hills, Montserrat; and appear to be particularly persistent during episodes of volcanic activity. In Costa Rica, we have identified similar seismicity at two active volcanoes: Turrialba and Poas, which appears to be focused beneath the active craters of these volcanoes and related to the movement of magmatic fluid at depth. We present a detailed overview of repeating seismicity at these volcanoes from July 2016 to present.
We present a number of very interesting families of repeating seismicity at Turrialba, including: the dominant family which has been persistently active, and contains over 3000 events from January - December 2017; and a period of high frequency drumbeat seismicity in January 2017. The drumbeat signal lasted less than 3 hours in duration and contained hundreds of events. Approximately 8 hours later, a small eruption with an ash plume of less than 200m above the crater occurred. We speculate that these signals are related to magmatic movement at depth towards the surface; a precursory signal to this eruption.
At Poas, we investigate the emergence of a number of families related to the reactivation of large phreatic-magmatic eruptions in April 2017. In particular, we note that at least one family of similar seismicity appears to accelerate prior to the most energetic eruption on 22 April 2017 at 22:10 (local time). Additionally, 6 families appear to abruptly cease in July 2017 within 2 hours of one another, potentially related to two >ML 3.2 regional earthquakes located approximately 3 km beneath the volcanic complex during this two hour period. It is possible that the regional earthquakes have inhibited the volcanic processes which were responsible for generating the families of seismicity.
Author(s):
Salvage R. O. Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica
Pacheco-Alvarado J. F. Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica
Brenes-Marin J. Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica
Similar Seismicity at Turrialba and Poas, Costa Rica: What Can It Tell Us?
Category
Interaction Between Observations and Models in Seismo-volcanic Studies