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Teleseismic P Wave Travel Times on Dense Nodal Networks Across the Kilauea East Rift Zone Reveal Two High-Speed Intrusive Cores

Description: 

Some of the most prominent features of Hawaiian shield volcanoes are the rift zones, which are also highly related to the volcanic hazards on the islands. One of the longest eruptions of Kilauea observed in the 20^th century was the eruption of P'u'u'o'o along its East Rift zone. In addition, it has been observed that the large-scale rift zone eruption could lead to subsequent summit caldera collapse. Therefore, a better understanding of the rift zone structure could help understand the evolution of the volcanoes as well as mitigate future volcanic hazards.

In this study, we used the data recorded by two linear dense nodal arrays across the lower East Rift zone of Kilauea and measured teleseismic P wave travel time delays. The travel time delays show a prominent negative relative travel time anomaly (indicating a faster wave speed) slightly to the south of the rift axis on the surface and asymmetrical with respect to the rift axis. The negative relative travel time anomaly measured on the relatively higher topography decisively requires fast speed materials to exist beneath the surface. Additionally, a less prominent negative travel time anomaly was found slightly to the north of the current rift axis on the surface. The existence of two local fast speed anomalies matches the lava flow map, where two separate series of vents existed in the lower East Rift zone, one north of the rift axis (last being active in 1840) and the other south of the rift axis (last being active in 2018).

Session: Earth’s Structure From the Crust to the Core

Type: Oral

Date: 4/18/2023

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Xiaozhuo Wei

Student Presenter: Yes

Invited Presentation: 

Authors