Detectability of Seamount Eruptions Through a Quantum Technology Gravity Mission MOCAST+: Hunga Tonga, Fani Maoré and Other Smaller Eruptions

Abstract

Seamount eruptions alter the bathymetry and can occur undetected due to lack of explosive character. We review documented eruptions to define whether they could be detected by a future satellite gravity mission. We adopt the noise level in acquisitions of multi-satellite constellations as in the MOCAST+ study, with a proposed payload of a quantum technology gradiometer and clock. The review of underwater volcanoes includes the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) islands for which the exposed surface changed during volcanic unrests of 2014/2015 and 2021/2022. The Fani Maoré submarine volcanic eruption of 2018–2021 produced a new seamount 800 m high, emerging from a depth of 3500 m, and therefore not seen above sea surface. We review further documented submarine eruptions and estimate the upper limit of the expected gravity changes. We find that a MOCAST+ type mission should allow us to detect the subsurface mass changes generated by deep ocean submarine volcanic activity for volume changes of 6.5 km3 upwards, with latency of 1 year. This change is met by the HTHH and Fani Maoré volcanoes.