Publications
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Triggering the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa
Distinguishing periods of intermittent unrest from the run-up to eruption is a major challenge at volcanoes around the globe. Comparing multidisciplinary monitoring data with mineral chemistry that records the physical and spatio-temporal evolution of magmas fundamentally advances our ability to forecast eruptions. The recent eruption of Mauna Loa, Earth’s largest active volcano...
Authors
Kendra J. Lynn, Drew T. Downs, Frank A. Trusdell, Penny E. Wieser, Berenise Rangel, Baylee Rose McDade, Alicia J. Hotovec-Ellis, Ninfa Lucia Bennington, Kyle R. Anderson, Dawn Catherine Sweeney Ruth, Charlotte DeVitre, Andria P. Ellis, Patricia A. Nadeau, Laura E. Clor, Peter J. Kelly, Peter Dotray, Jefferson Chang
Depths in a day - A new era of rapid-response Raman-based barometry using fluid inclusions
Rapid-response petrological monitoring is a major advance for volcano observatories, allowing them to build and validate models of plumbing systems that supply eruptions in near-real-time. The depth of magma storage has recently been identified as high-priority information for volcanic observatories, yet this information is not currently obtainable via petrological monitoring methods on...
Authors
Charlotte DeVitre, Penny E. Wieser, Alexander T. Bearden, Araela Richie, Berenise Rangel, Matthew Gleeson, John Grimsich, Kendra J. Lynn, Drew T. Downs, Natalia I. Deligne, Katherine M. Mulliken
Insights on arc magmatic systems drawn from natural melt inclusions and crystallization experiments at PH2O=800 MPa under oxidizing conditions
Whole rock compositions at Buldir Volcano, western Aleutian arc, record a strong, continuous trend of iron depletion with decreasing MgO, classically interpreted as a calc-alkaline liquid line of descent. In contrast, olivine-hosted melt inclusions have higher total iron (FeO*) than whole rocks and show little change in FeO* with decreasing MgO. To investigate this discrepancy and...
Authors
Janine L. Andrys, Elizabeth Cottrell, Katherine A. Kelley, Laura E. Waters, Michelle L. Coombs
Zircon constraints on the eruptive sequence and magma evolution of rhyolites at South Sister volcano, Oregon
We present 230Th-238U crystallization ages and trace element compositions for zircons spanning the late Pleistocene to Holocene rhyolite eruptive record at South Sister volcano in the central Oregon Cascade Range. Most zircon ages are between 100 and 20 ka, with very few in secular equilibrium (>350 ka). The weighted mean of zircon ages for the two oldest South Sister rhyolites, 31.5 ± 2...
Authors
Annika E. Dechert, Nathan Lee Andersen, Josef Dufek, Christine E. Jilly-Rehak
Dynamics, monitoring and forecasting of tephra in the atmosphere
Explosive volcanic eruptions inject hot mixtures of solid particles (tephra) and gasses into the atmosphere. Entraining ambient air, these mixtures can form plumes rising tens of kilometers until they spread laterally, forming umbrella clouds. While the largest clasts tend to settle in proximity to the volcano, the smallest fragments, commonly referred to as ash (≤2 mm in diameter), can...
Authors
Federica Pardini, Sara Barsotti, Contanza Bonadonna, Mattia de' Michieli Vitturi, Arnau Folch, Larry G. Mastin, Soledad Osores, Andrew T. Prata
Radiogenic strontium- and uranium-isotope tracers of water-rock interactions and hydrothermal flow in the Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, USA
Natural radiogenic isotopes (primarily 87Sr/86Sr) from hot springs in the Upper Geyser Basin of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field and associated rocks were used to evaluate groundwater flow patterns, water-rock reactions, and the extent of mixing between various groundwater sources. Thermal waters have very low uranium concentrations and 234U/238U activity ratios near 1.0, which...
Authors
James B. Paces, Shaul Hurwitz, Lauren N Harrison, Jacob B. Lowenstern, R. Blaine McCleskey
A case for improved global coordination of volcano observatories
The distribution of volcano monitoring networks and volcano expertise does not correlate well with the global distribution of volcanic risk. All countries have cultural, financial, bureaucratic, political, and logistical barriers to effective risk reduction. The lack of parity amongst volcano observatories jeopardizes public safety and curtails scientific research and understanding...
Authors
Jacob B. Lowenstern
Dynamics and detection of pulsed tremor at Whakaari (White Island), Aotearoa New Zealand
Volcanic tremor is a crucial indicator for assessing the state and hazard potential of volcanic systems. At Whakaari (White Island volcano, Aotearoa New Zealand), a pulsed tremor signal emerged after a hydrothermal explosion in August 2012. The tremor accompanied the extrusion of a lava dome, before gradually disappearing prior to the onset of renewed hydrothermal activity in January...
Authors
B. Steinke, Arthur D. Jolly, T. Girona, C. Caudron, L.A. Bramwell, S.J. Cronin, F. Illsley-Kemp, E.C. Hughes
Distributed volcanism—Characteristics, processes, and hazards
IntroductionDistributed volcanism is defined by regions of dominantly, but not exclusively, monogenetic eruptive vents that are commonly mafic. Volcanic eruptions within distributed fields can range in composition from basalt to rhyolite and produce all types of volcanoes in all tectonic environments. This diversity in eruption composition and style reflects complex and varied magma...
Temporal, spatial, and chemical evolution of Quaternary high-silica rhyolites in the Mineral Mountains, Utah
The Mineral Mountains in southwestern Utah are a structurally controlled core complex at the confluence of the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range physiographic provinces. Aside from hosting Utah’s largest batholith, the Mineral Mountains host some of the State’s youngest high-silica rhyolites, which have been linked to a magma source that is presently being utilized as an enhanced...
Authors
Tiffany A. Rivera, Brian R. Jicha, Stefan Kirby, Hannah B. Peacock
Introduction to recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
IntroductionThe National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS) was authorized and partially funded by the U.S. Government in 2019. In response, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program asked its scientists to reflect on and summarize their views of best practices for volcano monitoring. The goal was to review and update the recommendations of a previous report (Moran and...
Authors
Ashton F. Flinders, Jacob B. Lowenstern, Michelle L. Coombs, Michael P. Poland
Seismic techniques and suggested instrumentation to monitor volcanoes
IntroductionChanges in the pressure or location of magma can stress or break surrounding rocks and trigger flow of nearby waters and gases, causing seismic signals, such as discrete earthquakes and tremor. These phenomena are types of seismic unrest that commonly precede eruption and can be used to forecast volcanic activity. Mass movements at the surface, including avalanches, debris...
Authors
Weston A. Thelen, John J. Lyons, Aaron G. Wech, Seth C. Moran, Matthew M. Haney, Ashton F. Flinders