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Geodetic constraints on the shallow magma system at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat
Author(s) -
Widiwijayanti Christina,
Clarke Amanda,
Elsworth Derek,
Voight Barry
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 - 10.1029/2005gl022846
Subject(s) - geology , volcano , magma , dome (geology) , seismology , lava dome , salt dome , tilt (camera) , geodetic datum , lava , radius , petrology , geomorphology , geodesy , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , computer security
Ground surface tilts recorded proximal to a growing lava dome, and sustained through repeated dome collapses, provide unique geodetic constraints on the depth, size, and overpressures of the shallow magmatic system at Soufrière Hills Volcano. Tilt records identify a single pressure‐source inflating with periods ∼3–30 h. Sustained tilt amplitude ratios for paired stations identify the pressure‐source at a centroid depth between ∼740 and 970 m. This pressure‐source and its robust oscillatory response survived a dome collapse that removed the upper ∼200 m of the magmatic system. Shallow overpressures of 1–4 MPa are confirmed over a radius of 200–340 m; this size suggests pressurization of a fluid‐saturated fractured rock mass annulus surrounding a narrow magma conduit.