Henry M. Odbert

Lava dome growth and mass wasting measured by a time series of ground-based radar and seismicity observations

range and intensity measurements of the change in summit lava (� 1.5 � 10 6 m 3 , 22%), (2) AVTIS range measurements to measure the talus growth (� 3.9 � 10 6 m 3 , 57%), and (3) rockfall seismicity to measure the pyroclastic flow deposit volumes (� 1.4 � 10 6 m 3 , 21%), which gives an overall dense rock equivalent extrusion rate of about 7 m 3 � s � 1 . These figures demonstrate how efficient nonexplosive lava dome growth can be in generating large volumes of primary clastic deposits, a process that, by reducing the proportion of erupted lava stored in the summit region, will reduce the likelihood of large hazardous pyroclastic flows.

Chapter 5 Vulcanian explosions at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat between 2008 and 2010

Abstract Vulcanian explosions generated at Soufrière Hills Volcano between 2008 and 2010 varied from simple events involving minimal pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) to complex events involving more than one explosion. Calculated volumes for the deposits of the PDCs formed by these explosions ranged up to 2.7×106 m3, with more than half the explosions having volumes greater than 1×106 m3. The deposits formed by the explosions varied in lithology, with some explosions generating pumice-rich PDCs (e.g. 29 July 2008 and 11 February 2010) showing development of sinuous lobes. These explosions are similar to those formed in 1997, with gas-rich, conduit-derived magma being the dominant driving mechanism. Other explosions were pumice-poor (c. 5 wt% pumice) and generated morphologically distinct PDC deposits. Many of the pumice-poor explosions were associated with lower tephra plumes of <8 km, but were some of the largest volume events in terms of PDC production and suggest a generation mechanism involving destruction of significant quantities of the lava dome. Analysis of video footage shows that PDC formation was pulsatory, probably related to destabilization of portions of the lava dome during the initial phases of the explosion.

Chapter 7 The 11 February 2010 partial dome collapse at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Abstract On 11 February 2010, a partial dome collapse, the largest since 20 May 2006, occurred at Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat. The collapse is also the largest generated on the northern flank of SHV since the eruption began in 1995. Approximately 50×106 m3 was removed from the dome, resulting in widespread pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). Mapping revealed a complex stratigraphy that varied widely across the northern and NE flanks, and reflected the complex evolution of the collapse. The deposits included a range of fine-grained ash-rich and pumice-rich units deposited by dilute PDCs, and several types of coarse-grained, blocky deposits from dense PDCs. Several previously unaffected areas, including Bugby Hole, Farm River Valley, the village of Harris and Trants, suffered significant damage to the natural and built environments. The collapse lasted 107 min but the bulk of the activity occurred in a 15 min period that included five of the six peaks in PDC generation and two Vulcanian explosions. Although powerful, the PDCs generated were not associated with a lateral blast. The likely cause was the piecemeal collapse of a series of large, unstable lobes that had been extruded on the northern flank of the pre-existing dome.

Chapter 4 Ash venting occurring both prior to and during lava extrusion at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, from 2005 to 2010

Abstract This paper describes ash-venting activity at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat that was precursory to the onset of three phases of lava extrusion in 2005, 2008 and 2009, and similar ash venting that occurred during the fifth phase of lava extrusion. We describe in detail a style of mild, tephra-generating activity termed ash venting and its associated tephra products. The nature of the seismicity associated with ash venting is compared with that of explosive activity. All explosive events, from small explosions to large Vulcanian explosions, have impulsive, low-frequency onsets. These are absent in ash-venting events, which have subtle, emergent onsets. Microscope and grain-size analyses show that ash-venting events and large Vulcanian explosions generate tephra that is similar in grain size (in medial and distal regions), although phreatic events in 2005 were finer grained. Ash-venting products are either composed of fine-grained, variably altered pre-existing material or juvenile material. There is a general correlation between the length of the pause and the length of the period of precursory activity prior to lava extrusion following it. Syn-extrusive ash venting is frequently associated with short-term increases in extrusion rate and is considered to be related to shear-induced fragmentation at the conduit margin.

Cyclic phenomena at the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Abstract Cycles of eruptive activity are generally interpreted as evidence of one or more mechanisms operating in equilibrium. Modulation of cycle characteristics thus reflects changes in the conditions affecting those mechanisms. This kind of semi-deterministic behaviour at the Soufrière Hills Volcano has occurred on multiple timescales and with a range of eruptive intensity. By documenting cyclic phenomena, it is possible to investigate the mechanisms that modulate the state of the eruption and examine conceptual models. Pattern recognition and model development allows some degree of short-term forecasting ability for volcanic activity. We report the cyclic eruptive phenomena that have occurred on Montserrat on scales of hours to centuries. We identify four dominant types of cyclicity: sub-daily variations in lava flux; sub-annual cycles in eruption intensity; multi-annual ‘on–off’ switching of lava extrusion; and multi-decadal recurrence of seismic crises. We exploit a wealth of multi-parameter datasets (including seismic, geodetic, thermal, archive and visual observations), and present the evidence and observations for each type of cyclicity, some of which are documented here for the first time. Wavelet time-series analysis is used to constrain cycle characteristics, where appropriate. We discuss the implications of these observations in understanding the eruptive mechanisms of the Soufrière Hills Volcano. Supplementary material: Details of all sub-daily cycles are listed in a supplementary table that is available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18700.

The effects of thermomechanical heterogeneities in island arc crust on time‐dependent preeruptive stresses and the failure of an andesitic reservoir

Using ground deformation data from Soufriere Hills volcano (SHV), we present results from numerical modeling of the temperature- and time-dependent stress evolution in a mechanically heterogeneous crust prior to reservoir failure and renewed eruptive activity. The best fit models do not allow us to discriminate between a magmatic plumbing system consisting of either a single vertically elongated reservoir or a series of stacked reservoirs. A prolate reservoir geometry with volumes between 50 and 100 km3, reservoir pressure changes between 4 and 7 MPa, and reservoir volume changes between 0.03 and 0.04 km3 with magma compressibility between 4 × 10−11 and 1 × 10−9 Pa−1 provide plausible thermomechanical model parameters to explain the deformation time series; around an order of magnitude less overpressure than is generally inferred from homogeneous, elastic crustal models. Reservoir failure is predicted to occur at the crest of the reservoir except for reservoirs with highly compressible magma (≳4×10−9 Pa) for which subhorizontal sill formation is predicted upon reservoir failure. Introducing a deep-crustal hot zone modulates the partitioning of strains into the hotter underlying crust and results in a further reduction in overpressure estimates to values of around 1–2 MPa upon reservoir failure. Deduced volume fluxes are consistent with constraints from thermal modeling of active subvolcanic systems and imply dynamic failure of a compressible magma mush column feeding eruptions at SHV. Our interpretation of the results is that the combined thermomechanical effects of a deep-crustal hot zone and hot encasing rocks around a midcrustal andesitic reservoir fundamentally alter the time-dependent subsurface stress and strain partitioning upon reservoir priming. These effects substantially influence surface strains recorded by volcano geodetic monitoring.

Chapter 2 Cyclic phenomena at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Abstract Cycles of eruptive activity are generally interpreted as evidence of one or more mechanisms operating in equilibrium. Modulation of cycle characteristics thus reflects changes in the conditions affecting those mechanisms. This kind of semi-deterministic behaviour at the Soufrière Hills Volcano has occurred on multiple timescales and with a range of eruptive intensity. By documenting cyclic phenomena, it is possible to investigate the mechanisms that modulate the state of the eruption and examine conceptual models. Pattern recognition and model development allows some degree of short-term forecasting ability for volcanic activity. We report the cyclic eruptive phenomena that have occurred on Montserrat on scales of hours to centuries. We identify four dominant types of cyclicity: sub-daily variations in lava flux; sub-annual cycles in eruption intensity; multi-annual ‘on–off’ switching of lava extrusion; and multi-decadal recurrence of seismic crises. We exploit a wealth of multi-parameter datasets (including seismic, geodetic, thermal, archive and visual observations), and present the evidence and observations for each type of cyclicity, some of which are documented here for the first time. Wavelet time-series analysis is used to constrain cycle characteristics, where appropriate. We discuss the implications of these observations in understanding the eruptive mechanisms of the Soufrière Hills Volcano. Supplementary material: Details of all sub-daily cycles are listed in a supplementary table that is available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18700.

Chapter 6 Dome growth and valley fill during Phase 5 (8 October 2009–11 February 2010) at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Abstract Extrusion during Phase 5 (8 October 2009–11 February 2010) produced significant volumetric and geomorphic changes to the lava dome and surrounding valleys at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. Approximately 74×106 m3 of lava was extruded at an average rate of 7 m3 s−1 during the short period of activity. Addition of lava to the pre-existing dome resulted in a net volumetric increase of up to 38×106 m3. Pyroclastic density current (PDC) and ashfall deposits accounted for the remaining 36×106 m3. A series of thick, blocky lobes were extruded from a central vent. In addition, several short-lived spines and two large shear lobes were also extruded. Significant PDC activity resulted in substantial valley filling of up to 108 m. The large pre-existing dome significantly influenced the growth of lobes, such that many block-and-ash flows were generated from viscous lobes draped over the summit and upper slopes. Geomorphic changes caused by rapid filling of the surrounding valleys aided in both flow avulsion and the emplacement of deposits up to 6 km from the dome. These geomorphic changes have important consequences for hazards from PDCs.

Topographic and Thermal Mapping of Volcanic Terrain Using the AVTIS Ground-Based 94-GHz Dual-Mode Radar/Radiometric Imager

The All-Weather Volcano Topography Imaging Sensor remote sensing instrument is a custom-built millimeter-wave (MMW) sensor that has been developed as a practical field tool for remote sensing of volcanic terrain at active lava domes. The portable instrument combines active and passive MMW measurements to record topographic and thermal data in almost all weather conditions from ground-based survey points. We describe how the instrument is deployed in the field, the quality of the primary ranging and radiometric measurements, and the postprocessing techniques used to derive the geophysical products of the target terrain, surface temperature, and reflectivity. By comparison of changing topography, we estimate the volume change and the lava extrusion rate. Validation of the MMW radiometry is also presented by quantitative comparison with coincident infrared thermal imagery.

Dome growth, collapse, and valley fill at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, from 1995 to 2013: Contributions from satellite radar measurements of topographic change

Frequent high-resolution measurements of topography at active volcanoes can provide important information for assessing the distribution and rate of emplacement of volcanic deposits and their influence on hazard. At dome-building volcanoes, monitoring techniques such as LiDAR and photogrammetry often provide a limited view of the area affected by the eruption. Here, we show the ability of satellite radar observations to image the lava dome and pyroclastic density current deposits that resulted from 15 years of eruptive activity at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, from 1995 to 2010. We present the first geodetic measurements of the complete subaerial deposition field on Montserrat, including the lava dome. Synthetic aperture radar observations from the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS) and TanDEM-X mission are used to map the distribution and magnitude of elevation changes. We estimate a net dense-rock equivalent volume increase of 108 ± 15M m3 of the lava dome and 300 ± 220M m3 of talus and subaerial pyroclastic density current deposits. We also show variations in deposit distribution during different phases of the eruption, with greatest on-land deposition to the south and west, from 1995 to 2005, and the thickest deposits to the west and north after 2005. We conclude by assessing the potential of using radar-derived topographic measurements as a tool for monitoring and hazard assessment during eruptions at dome-building volcanoes.