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Linking Deep Long Period Earthquakes to Magmatic Processes Underlying Mauna Kea

Description: 

Understanding the physical processes that generate background seismicity at quiescent volcanoes is a key component to understanding and differentiating between seismic signals that suggest an impending eruption and those that do not. Deep long period earthquakes (DLPs) are a type of volcano seismicity that can occur in the lead-up to eruptions or during repose. A better understanding of how magmatic processes such as the movement of exsolved magmatic volatiles or magma through the crust may generate DLPs could aid in interpreting this type of seismicity at potentially active volcanoes. Between 2000 and 2019 over 1 million DLPs were detected beneath Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in its post-shield stage. The large number and the remarkable regularity of DLP events during this time interval provide an excellent case study for exploring the magmatic processes that drive these events. We present a physics-based model for fluid-driven cracks at depth fed by a degassing crystal mush body as proposed in the conceptual model from Wech et al. 2020. We then use this model to generate synthetic seismograms that can be compared to real event timeseries. This approach allows us to quantitatively assess the conceptual model for the magmatic processes driving DLPs at Mauna Kea and develop insights into the conditions required to produce such frequent and regularly occurring events. More broadly, this modelling framework provides a more robust understanding of one potential magmatic source for background seismicity at other volcanoes around the world.

Session: Seismology's Role in Assessing Volcanic Hazard at Multiple Time Scales [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/18/2023

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Kathryn J. Scholz

Student Presenter: Yes

Invited Presentation: 

Authors