Publications

Laiolo, M; Massimetti, F; Cigolini, C; Ripepe, M; Coppola, D (2018). Long-term eruptive trends from space-based thermal and SO2 emissions: a comparative analysis of Stromboli, Batu Tara and Tinakula volcanoes. BULLETIN OF VOLCANOLOGY, 80(9), 68.

Abstract
Batu Tara (Indonesia) and Tinakula (Solomon Island) are two poorly known volcanoes with morphologies and short-term eruptive activity similar to Stromboli (Italy). However, quantitative information about their long-term eruptive behaviour is limited, making the comparisons with Stromboli descriptive and based on short periods of observations. Here, we use over a decade of satellite data to measure and compare the radiant flux (2000-2017) and the SO2 mass (2004-2017) of all three volcanoes. The combined analysis of volcanic radiant power (from MODIS data) and SO2 flux (from OMI data) reveals different long-term eruptive trends and contrasting ratios of SO2/VRP. These data indicate that the eruptive mechanisms operating at each volcano are quite different. The persistent open-vent activity of Stromboli volcano is episodically interrupted by flank eruptions that drain degassed magma stored in the very shallow portion of the central conduit. In contrast, a long-lasting exponential decay of both VRP and SO2 flux observed at Batu Tara is consistent with the eruption of undegassed magma from a deep, closed magma chamber, whilst Tinakula displays multiple year-long eruptive phases, characterised by evolving gas/thermal ratios and an eruptive intensity increasing with time. Magma budget calculations for the latter volcano are consistent with eruption from a volatile-zoned magma chamber, coupled with periods of gas/magma accumulations at depth. Our results suggest that the combined analysis of satellite thermal/gas data provides a valuable tool for decrypting the long-term volcanic dynamics that could remain hidden over shorter timescales.

DOI:
10.1007/s00445-018-1242-0

ISSN:
0258-8900