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Updated: May 22, 2026
07:58
Data Processing Methods for 3D Seismic Imaging of Subsurface Volcanoes: Applications to the Tarim Flood Basalt
Published on: August 7, 2017
Linking petrology and seismology at an active volcano
Kate Saunders1, Jon Blundy, Ralf Dohmen
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. Kate.Saunders@bristol.ac.uk
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 26, 2012
Summary
Volcanic unrest signals, like seismicity, can indicate magma movement. Studying orthopyroxene crystals from Mount St. Helens reveals magma intrusions correlate with seismic events, improving eruption forecasting.
Area of Science:
- * Volcanology
- * Petrology
- * Geophysics
Background:
- * Active volcanoes show pre-eruptive changes in seismicity, ground deformation, and gas emissions.
- * Interpreting these unrest signals in terms of subsurface magmatic processes remains a significant challenge in volcano monitoring.
- * Understanding magma movement is crucial for predicting volcanic eruptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the relationship between magma intrusions and seismicity preceding volcanic eruptions.
- * To utilize petrological data from volcanic crystals to understand subterranean magmatic processes.
- * To enhance the accuracy of volcanic eruption forecasting through detailed analysis of eruptive products.
Main Methods:
- * Analysis of over 300 zoned orthopyroxene crystals from the 1980-1986 Mount St. Helens eruption.
- * Application of diffusion chronometry to orthopyroxene crystal rims to determine timing of events.
- * Correlation of petrological data with historical seismicity records.
Main Results:
- * Orthopyroxene crystals recorded pulsatory intrusions of new magma and volatiles into a larger magma reservoir.
- * Diffusion chronometry indicated temporal correlation between magma intrusion episodes and recorded seismicity.
- * Evidence suggests that some seismic events are directly linked to magma intrusion processes.
Conclusions:
- * Petrological analysis of crystals provides insights into the timing and nature of pre-eruptive magmatic activity.
- * The timescales of magma intrusion events align with monitoring signals observed at restless volcanoes.
- * This study improves the ability to forecast volcanic eruptions by linking petrologic observations to seismic monitoring data.
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