Volcano observatories use a variety of geophysical techniques to monitor volcanoes in near-real time to mitigate the threats volcanoes pose to local and global communities. Subsurface changes are primarily detected using seismometers, continuous GPS, tiltmeters, local gas sensors and sampling, and satellite remote sensing. An increase in subsurface fluid (i.e. magma and volatiles), pressure or temperature can result in increased seismicity, ground deformation and an increase or change in volatile content. Complementing these observational methods, infrasound-sensitive microphones detect subaerial volcanic activity from gas jetting to explosions. An aim of the volcano geophysics community is to use geophysical signals to understand eruptive processes. This project advanced this aim by examining very long period seismic signals relative to subaerial processes captured in infrasound data. We deployed a seismo-acoustic network and gas measurement instruments at Stromboli Volcano, Italy. Our project: (1) characterized the seismic and acoustic activity with particular attention paid to very long period seismic events and infrasonically detected explosions; (2) evaluated two conceptual models for eruptive processes at Stromboli Volcano and similar systems and found the prevailing model incapable of explaining our observations; (3) observed a new very long period seismic signal likely linked to the gas jetting. 

We improved understanding of gas escape processes at Stromboli Volcano and the relationship between very long period seismic signals and acoustically detected explosions. The project employed a highly qualified female postdoctoral fellow who conducted the majority of the research, collaboration, and public outreach activities, and trained a graduate student and a postdoctoral researcher in seismo-acoustic field techniques. This provided hands on experience for the early career participants in volcano geophysics. PI McKee gained experience in teaching and mentorship further developing her into a role model for young women interested in pursuing careers in acoustics, seismology, or volcanology. This work strengthened the institutional collaboration between the Carnegie Institution for Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks-Geophysical Institute (UAF-GI), Michigan Technological University, University of Florence, Italy, and University of Palermo, Italy through sharing of technology and knowledge. The results of this work have been disseminated through multiple presentations and will be published in the near future. The work was also presented to researchers at Carnegie, UAF-GI, Smithsonian Institution, Alaska Volcano Observatory, US Geological Survey, and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, as well as to the wider geoscience community at American Geophysical Union Fall Meetings in 2018 and 2019, European Geophysical Union General Assembly 2019, and Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting 2019.

Last Modified: 07/14/2020
Modified by: Kathleen F Mckee