Geophysical imaging of the inner structure of a lava dome and its environment through gravimetry and magnetism

International audienceVolcanic lava domes are compound edifices resulting from complex growth processes including intrusion and extrusion phases, explosions and collapses. Here, we present the study of a complex volcanic system, located in the Chaîne des Puys volcanic field (French Massif Central, France) and centred on the Puy de Dôme volcano, an 11,000 years old volcano. Our approach is based on a morpho-structural analysis of a high resolution DTM (0.5 m) and geophysical imaging methods. Both gravity and magnetic high resolution surveys have been carried out on the lava dome and the nearby volcanic structures. We computed 3D inverse and 2D forwards models. Based on our current knowledges about volcanic dome structure, the geophysical models allow us to propose a synthetic geological model of the inner structure of the Puy de Dôme and surrounding areas. This model suggests a scenario for the formation of the lava dome and the inferred intrusions located on both sides. The Puy de Dôme could possibly be the southern tip of the northern intrusion

Fluid circulation and structural discontinuities inside Misti volcano (Peru) inferred from self-potential measurements

One of the seven potentially active andesite stratovolcanoes in southern Peru, Misti (5822 m), located 17 km northeast and 3.5 km above Arequipa, represents a major threat to the population (f900,000 inhabitants). Our recent geophysical and geochemical research comprises an extensive self-potential (SP) data set, an audioâ magnetotelluric (AMT) profile across the volcano and CO2 concentrations in the soil along a radial profile. The SP survey is the first of its kind in providing a complete mapping of a large andesitic stratovolcano 20 km in diameter. The SP mapping enables us to analyze the SP signature associated with a subduction-related active volcano. The general SP pattern of Misti is similar to that of most volcanoes with a hydrogeologic zone in the lower flanks and a hydrothermal zone in the upper central area. A quasi-systematic relationship exists between SP and elevation. Zones with constant SP/altitude gradients (Ce) are observed in both hydrogeologic (negative Ce) and hydrothermal (positive Ce) zones. Transition zones between the different Ce zones, which form a concentric pattern around the summit, have been interpreted in terms of lateral heterogeneities in the lithology. The highest amplitudes of SP anomalies seem to coincide with highly resistive zones. The hydrothermal system 6 km in diameter, which extends over an area much larger than the summit caldera, may be constrained by an older, concealed collapse caldera. A sealed zone has apparently developed through alteration in the hydrothermal system, blocking the migration of CO2 upward. Significant CO2 emanations are thus observed on the lower flanks but are absent above the hydrothermal zone

The summit hydrothermal system of Stromboli. New insights from self-potential, temperature, CO2 and fumarolic fluid measurements, with structural and monitoring implications

Accurate and precisely located self-potential (SP), temperature (T) and CO2 measurements were carried out in the summit area of Stromboli along 72 straight profiles. SP data were acquired every metre and T data every 2.5 m. CO2 concentrations were acquired with the same density as T, but only along seven profiles. The high density of data and the diversity of the measured parameters allows us to study structures and phenomena at a scale rarely investigated. The shallow summit hydrothermal activity (Pizzoâ Fossa area) is indicated by large positive SP, T and CO2 anomalies. These anomalies are focused on crater faults, suggesting that the fracture zones are more permeable than surrounding rocks at Stromboli. The analysis of the distribution of these linear anomalies, coupled with the examination of the geologic, photographic and topographic data, has led us to propose a new structural interpretation of the summit of Stromboli. This newly defined structural framework comprises (1) a large Pizzo circular crater, about 350 m in diameter; (2) a complex of two concealed craters nested within the Pizzo crater (the Large and the Small Fossa craters), thought to have formed during the eruption of the Pizzo pyroclastites unit; the Small Fossa crater is filled with highly impermeable material that totally impedes the upward flow of hydrothermal fluids; and (3) The present complex of active craters. On the floor of the Fossa, short wavelength SP lows are organized in drainage-like networks diverging from the main thermal anomalies and converging toward the topographic low in the Fossa area, inside the Small Fossa crater. They are interpreted as the subsurface downhill flow of water condensed above the thermal anomalies. We suspect that water accumulates below the Small Fossa crater as a perched water body, representing a high threat of strong phreatic and phreatomagmatic paroxysms. T and CO2 anomalies are highly correlated. The two types of anomalies have very similar shapes, but the sensitivity of CO2 measurements seems higher for lowest hydrothermal flux. Above T anomalies, a pronounced high frequency SP signal is observed. Isotopic analyses of the fluids show similar compositions between the gases rising through the faults of the Pizzo and Large Fossa craters. This suggests a common origin for gases emerging along different structural paths within the summit of Stromboli. A site was found along the Large Fossa crater fault where high gas flux and low air contamination made gas monitoring possible near the active vents using the alkaline bottle sampling technique.Published486â 504partially_ope

3D electrical imaging of the inner structure of a complex lava dome, Puy de Dôme volcano (French Massif Central, France)

Lava domes result from extrusion of massive lava, frequent explosions and collapses. This contribution focuses on a complex trachytic lava dome, the Puy de Dôme volcano, located in the Chaîne des Puys volcanic field (French Massif Central, France). We performed Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) acquisitions on the entire edifice in order to investigate its overall inner structure as well as to detail its summit area. The resulting large ERT dataset integrated a recently developed 3D inversion code based on an unstructured discretization of the geometrical model. The 3D inversion models obtained refine the existing geological model of the Puy de Dôme's inner structure obtained by previous geophysical studies. These results also highlight the strong fracturing and fumarolic alteration that affect the summit part of the volcano.Lava domes result from extrusion of massive lava, frequent explosions and collapses. This contribution focuses on a complex trachytic lava dome, the Puy de Dôme volcano, located in the Chaîne des Puys volcanic field (French Massif Central, France). We performed Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) acquisitions on the entire edifice in order to investigate its overall inner structure as well as to detail its summit area. The resulting large ERT dataset integrated a recently developed 3D inversion code based on an unstructured discretization of the geometrical model. The 3D inversion models obtained refine the existing geological model of the Puy de Dôme's inner structure obtained by previous geophysical studies. These results also highlight the strong fracturing and fumarolic alteration that affect the summit part of the volcano

Remotely monitoring volcanic activity with ground-based Doppler radar

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