Shallow Magmatic System of Arxan Volcano Revealed by Ambient Noise Tomography with Dense Array

Abstract

The Arxan Volcanic Field (AVF) is an active volcanic region in Northeast Asia, and its last eruption occurred approximately 2000 years ago. Its eruption mechanism remains unknown. To investigate the shallow magma system beneath the volcanic cones in the AVF, we deployed a dense seismic array consisting of 227 portable seismographs and conducted high-resolution ambient noise tomography (ANT). The results of checkerboard test (CRT) and restoring resolution test (RRT) demonstrate that our imaging results are reliable. These results reveale significant slow-velocity anomalies at depths of 5~9 km below the Tianchi caldera and GD1213 volcano in Arxan, with the highest anomaly reaching up to approximately 15%. These anomalies suggest partial melting in a shallow magma chamber, indicating ongoing volcanic activity in the AVF. The velocity of the magma chamber corresponding to a melt fraction of approximately 7.4~12.9%. Therefore, the presence of the magma chamber poses potential hazards to the Arxan region, including volcanic eruptions and their associated risks.