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Monitoring SO 2 emission at the Soufriere Hills Volcano: Implications for changes in eruptive conditions
Author(s) -
Young S. R.,
Francis P. W.,
Barclay J.,
Casadevall T. J.,
Gardner C. A.,
Darroux B.,
Davies M. A.,
Delmelle P.,
Norton G. E.,
Maciejewski A. J. H.,
Oppenheimer C. M. M.,
Stix J.,
Watson I. M.
Publication year - 1998
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 - 10.1029/98gl01406
Subject(s) - volcano , phenocryst , pyroclastic rock , geology , dome (geology) , magma , fumarole , seismology , volcanic rock , geomorphology
Correlation spectrometer measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emission rates during the current eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat, have contributed towards identifying different phases of volcanic activity. SO 2 emission rate has increased from <200 tonnes per day (td −1 ; <2.3 kgs −1 ) in the early stages of dome growth to >550 td −1 (>6.4 kgs −1 ) after July 1996, with the uncertainty associated with any individual measurement ca. 30%. Significantly enhanced SO 2 emission rates have been identified in association with early phreatic eruptions (800 td −1 (9.3 kgs −1 )) and episodes of vigorous dome collapse and pyroclastic flow generation (900 to 1500 td −1 (10.4 to 17.4 kgs −1 )). SO 2 emission rate has proved a useful proxy measurement for magma production rate. Observed SO 2 emission rates are significantly higher than those inferred from analyses of glass inclusions in phenocrysts, implying the existence of a S‐rich magmatic vapour phase.