Premium
Seismic and infrasonic signals associated with an unusual collapse event at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat
Author(s) -
Green D. N.,
Neuberg J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2004gl022265
Subject(s) - seismology , seismometer , geology , volcano , induced seismicity , infrasound , microseism , magma , broadband , acoustics , physics , political science , law
In March 2004, during a period of no magma extrusion at Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, an explosive event occurred with little precursory activity. Recorded broadband seismic signals ranged from an ultra‐long‐period signal with a dominant period of 120 s to impulsive, short‐duration events containing frequencies up to 30 Hz. Synthetic displacement functions were fit to the long‐period data after application of the seismometer response. These indicate a shallow collapse of the volcanic edifice occurred, initiated ∼300 m below the surface, lasting ∼100 s. Infrasonic tremor and pulses were also recorded in the 1–20 Hz range. The high‐frequency seismicity and infrasound are interpreted as the subsequent collapse of a gravitationally unstable buttress of remnant dome material which impacted upon the edifice surface. This unique dataset demonstrates the benefits of deploying multi‐parameter stations equipped with broadband instruments.