Development of an Ultra-violet Digital Camera for Volcanic S02 Imaging

Michigan Technological University, Houghton MI

Investigators

Abstract

The degassing behavior of a volcanic system is an integral part of the seismicity it generates. In January 2002, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) installed a new gas monitoring system at Soufriere Hills Volcano (SHV) composed of two Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometers; these new sensors allow continuous retrieval of sulfur dioxide spectra from the emitted plume, and gas flux values every 1-6 minutes over the course of a working day. Initial efforts will focus on calibrating the timing of SO2 degassing and seismic activity, and correlation of changes in emitted SO2 fluxes to seismic triggers from subsurface and near-surface motions. A magnitude scale will be developed for SHV seismic events, based on the MVO seismic network database. This magnitude scale will be used to constrain magnitude-frequency relationships for SHV events (long-period and hybrid earthquakes, and rockfalls). Volcanic SO2 fluxes will be correlated to seismic event type, magnitudes, seismic amplitude and timing by merging the SO2 and seismic data over active periods for SHV. Merging of high temporal resolution datasets will allow better understanding of magma dynamics and evaluate current theories of volatile and seismic characteristics, and improved eruption prediction capabilities, by linking gas and seismic behavior to precursory activities in a highly active volcanic system. This project will help establish baseline trends and methodologies for most effective uses of gas flux data, as rapid SO2 measurement systems are incorporated into other volcano monitoring efforts. This work also supports MVO's hazard mitigation infrastructure, through exploration of the potential for a gas alert derived from automated gas flux data.