Eruption frequency patterns through time for the current (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018) activity cycle at Volcán de Fuego derived from remote sensing data: Evidence for an accelerating cycle of explosive paroxysms and potential implications of eruptive activity.
AbstractVolcán de Fuego is a stratovolcano in Guatemala that has produced over 50 VEI 2 eruptions since 1524. After two decades of quiescence, in 1999 Fuego entered a new period of eruptive activity that continues until the present day, characterised by persistent Strombolian activity interspersed with occasional "paroxysmal" eruptions of greater magnitude, the most recent of which occurred in 2018. The land surrounding Fuego accommodates tens of thousands of people, so greater understanding of its eruptive behaviour has important implications for hazard assessment. Nevertheless, there is relatively little literature that studies recent (since 1999) activity of Fuego in detail.Using time-series analysis of remote sensing thermal data during the period 2000 -2018 combined with recent bulletin reports, we present evidence for a new eruptive regime beginning in 2015. We find that this regime is defined by a greater frequency of paroxysmal eruptions than in previous years and is characterized by the following sequence of events: (i) effusion of lava flows and increase in summit explosive activity, followed by (ii) an intense eruptive phase lasting 24 -48 hours, producing a sustained eruptive column, continuous explosions, and occasional pyroclastic flows, followed by (iii) decrease in explosive activity. We discuss various models that explain this increase in paroxysmal frequency, and consider its implications for hazard assessment at Fuego. We advocate the pairing of remote sensing data with monitoring reports for understanding long-term changes in behaviour of poorlyinstrumented volcanoes. The results that we present here provide a standard for informed assessment of future episodes of unrest and paroxysmal eruptions of Fuego.
KeywordsVolcán de Fuego -paroxysm -MIROVA -radiative power
Fuego volcano (Guatemala) is one of the most active and hazardous volcanoes in the world. Its persistent activity generates lava flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), and lahars that threaten the surrounding areas and produce frequent morphological change. Fuego’s eruption deposits are often rapidly eroded or remobilized by heavy rains and its constant activity and inaccessible terrain makes ground-based assessment of recent eruptive deposits very challenging. Earth-orbiting satellites can provide unique observations of volcanoes during eruptive activity, when ground-based techniques may be too hazardous, and also during inter-eruptive phases, but have typically been hindered by relatively low spatial and temporal resolution. Here, we use a new source of Earth observation data for volcano monitoring: high resolution (~3 m pixel size) images acquired from a constellation of over 150 CubeSats (‘Doves’) operated by Planet Labs Inc. The Planet Labs constellation provides high spatial resolution at high cadence (<1–72 h), permitting space-based tracking of volcanic activity with unprecedented detail. We show how PlanetScope images collected before, during, and after an eruption can be applied for mapping ash clouds, PDCs, lava flows, or the analysis of morphological change. We assess the utility of the PlanetScope data as a tool for volcano monitoring and rapid deposit mapping that could assist volcanic hazard mitigation efforts in Guatemala and other active volcanic regions.
Volcano earthquake sources associated with eruptions at Santiaguito volcano in Guatemala are complex. Rock fracture, fluid flow, and gas expansion occur at variable time scales and induce superposed ground motions, including both static and dynamic deformation, and atmospheric pressure disturbances. Dissection of this composite event is facilitated through extra‐seismic observations, such as infrasound, geodetic, and visual monitoring. Multi‐parametric investigation of an eruptive event on Jan. 4th 2009 reveals increased degassing, apparent as both geodetic tilt and harmonic seismo‐infrasonic tremor, preceding an explosive event. The explosive event itself entails surface dome uplift, multiple eruptive pulses, and subsequent re‐equilibration of the volcanic edifice manifested in derived tilt. We report here on an integrated approach to discerning the physical processes at the actively effusing and exploding Santiaguito volcano and describe the composite earthquake that occurs here.
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