Jacques Zlotnicki

Magnetic and electric field observations during the 2000 activity of Miyake-jima volcano, Central Japan

Magnetic and electric field variations associated with the 2000 eruption of Miyake-jima volcano are summarized. For about 1 week prior to the July 8 phreatic explosion, significant changes in the total intensity were observed at a few stations, which indicated uprising of a demagnetized area from a depth of 2 km towards the summit: this nonmagnetic source can be regarded as a vacant space itself. Electric and magnetic field variations were observed simultaneously associated with the tilt-step event, which was the abrupt (V50 s) inflation at a few km depth within the volcano followed by gradual recovery (Vseveral hours). The electric field is ascribed to the electrokinetic effect most probably due to forced injection of fluids from the source, while the magnetic field to the piezomagnetic effect due to increased pressure. Large magnetic variations amounting to a few tens of nT were observed at several stations since July 8, and they turned almost flat after the August 18 largest eruption. Magnetic changes are explained mostly by the vanishing of magnetic mass in the summit and additionally by the thermal demagnetization at a rather shallow depth. A large increase in the self-potential by 130 mV was also observed near the summit caldera associated with the August 18 eruption, which suggests that the hydrothermal circulation system sustained within the volcano for the past more than 10 years was destroyed by this eruption. 9 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Hydrothermal circulation beneath Mount Pelée inferred by self potential surveying. Structural and tectonic implications

Abstract Self-potential (SP) surveys were made on Mount Pelee volcano (Martinique Island, French West Indies) in 1991 and 1992 in order to recognize its hydrothermal system, the associated groundwater channeling and the main superficial structures of the massif. Almost 70 km of profiles were carried out with an average sample spacing of 50 m. Measurements essentially reveal negative SP anomalies, down to −1700 mV, with high gradients (−1.83 mV/m) due to the infiltration of meteoric water into the massif. Rims of summit calderas Morne Macouba and Etang-Sec present sharp negative SP anomalies on the western, northern, and eastern flanks. Negative SP anomalies indicate no upward water flow beneath Mount Pelee summit. On the southwestern volcano flank, a 3.5×6 km horseshoe-shaped structure corresponding to a southwest flank collapse event, older than 25,000 years BP, is clearly identified by the SP mapping. High gradients border the inner southern rim from Morne Calebasse to St Pierre town and the Caribbean Sea. Along the northern rim of the horseshoe-shaped structure the negative SP anomalies give place to a positive SP anomaly, up to 200 mV, of SW–NE trend. This zone covers the area of two active hot springs (Sources Chaudes and Puits Chaud: 40–65°C). Marine magnetic surveys and bathymetry show that the horseshoe-shaped structure spreads into the Caribbean Sea up to about 10 km from the coast. Buried structural discontinuities are evidenced inside the flank collapse structure. The upper one deviates the groundwater flow coming from the summit toward the south flank where the flow finds an indentation to expand again downwards. This discontinuity is either an old hypothetical caldera rim partly destroyed by the collapse of the south–southwestern flank and covered by recent pyroclastic deposits, or more probably the trace of a bulge landslide. A circulation model of the hydrothermal waters is proposed. Rainfall (5–6 m/year) is partly drained inside the summital calderas and the flank collapse zone through pyroclastic flows down to an impermeable basement. There the groundwater constitutes perched aquifers at the contact of the bulge landslide, or of the hypothetical old caldera rim. Along the inner northern border of the flank collapse structure the phreatic water is reheated. Warm groundwater flows along the northern avalanche structure rim and discharges near the coast in ground and marine outcrops, of medium temperature. Finally, the main part of the meteoric water is channeled along the old caldera rim, or along the bulge landslide towards the south flank of Mount Pelee, where some gaps in the rim exist. There the groundwater finds again a subhorizontal gravitational circulation along Mount Pelee slopes into the Caribbean Sea.

Precursory signals using satellite and ground data associated with the Wenchuan Earthquake of 12 May 2008

Multi-satellite sensor and ground observation data were analysed soon after the Wenchuan Earthquake of magnitude 7.9 (according to the USGS) or 8.0 (according to Xinhua, the Chinese News Agency) that occurred on 12 May 2008. This earthquake was felt by millions of people living in a number of countries; it took 65 000 lives and made millions of people homeless, damaged small and large infrastructure, and large surface manifestations were observed on the surface. Soon after the earthquake multi-satellite sensor and ground observatory data were analysed to study changes in ground, meteorological and atmospheric parameters. A detailed analysis of these data shows pronounced anomalous changes prior to the Wenchuan Earthquake event. Analysis of Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) data at different pressure levels clearly shows characteristic behaviour of the air temperature and relative humidity compared to other days. Such changes are observed up to 500 hPa, with maximal change at the lower levels. Changes in the surface, atmosphere, meteorological and ionospheric parameters prior to the Wenchuan Earthquake are complementary to one another and show the existence of a strong coupling between land, atmosphere and ionosphere, associated with the Wenchuan Earthquake.

Electrokinetic and magnetic fields generated by flow through a fractured zone: A Sensitivity study for La Fournaise Volcano

A number of electric and magnetic signals have been observed on La Fournaise volcano, attributed to electrokinetic effects. A simple model is proposed here to check this hypothesis. The volcano is idealized as a 2d heterogeneous structure composed of a fractured zone located between two porous zones through which meteoritic waters flow downwards; flow occurs predominantly in the fractured zone and induces electromagnetic fields. Correct orders of magnitude are obtained for the measured surface fields. The importance of the heterogeneous character of the underground medium is demonstrated; local measurements of various quantities are recommended.

Mathematical Tools for Geomagnetic Data Monitoring and the Intermagnet Russian Segment

In this paper, a new approach to the detection of anomalies in geophysical records is connected with a fuzzy mathematics application. The theory of discrete mathematical analysis and collection of algorithms for time series processing constructed on its basis represents the results of this research direction. These algorithms are the consequence of fuzzy modeling of the logic of an interpreter who visually recognizes anomalies in records. They allow analyzing large data sets that are not subjected to manual processing. The efficiency of these algorithms is demonstrated in several important geophysical applications. Plans for an extension of the Russian INTERMAGNET segment are presented.

Fuzzy logic algorithms in the analysis of electrotelluric data with reference to monitoring of volcanic activity

The expert processing of monitoring data of large networks on hazardous natural phenomena becomes increasingly more complicated due to an increase in the initial data flow. An approach alternative to the visual recognition of signals is proposed. A number of recognition algorithms and results of their application to the analysis of geoelectric potential monitoring data are discussed. Data of monitoring La Fournaise Volcano (Réunion Island) obtained in the vicinity of the intense volcanic eruption of 1988 are used. The obtained results show that these algorithms are capable of recognizing anomalous segments of records and discriminating between several types of anomalies presumably associated with the effects of various physical factors (heavy atmospheric precipitation, hydrothermal processes, and so on). The algorithms proposed in this work can be used both for the automation of expert work in operating monitoring systems and in investigations aimed at the identification of typical morphologic sequences in time series of data of various origins.

Study of Geo-Electric Data Collected by the Joint EMSEV-Bishkek RS-RAS Cooperation: Possible Earthquake Precursors

By employing the cross-correlogram method, in geo-electric data from the area of Kyrgyzstan for the period 30 June 2014–10 June 2015, we identified Anomalous Telluric Currents (ATC). From a total of 32 ATC after taking into consideration the electric current source properties, we found that three of them are possible Seismic Electric Signal (SES) activities. These three SES activities are likely to be linked with three local seismic events. Finally, by studying the corresponding recordings when a DC alternating source injects current into the Earth, we found that the subsurface resistivity seems to be reduced before one of these three earthquakes, but a similar analysis for the other two cannot be done due to their large epicentral distance and the lack of data.