Stratovolcano Growth by Co-Eruptive Intrusion: The 2008 Eruption of Tungurahua Ecuador

Authors

J. Biggs, University of Oxford
P. Mothes, Instituto Geofisico, Escuela Politenica Nacional
M. Ruiz, Instituto Geofisico, Escuela Politenica Nacional
F. Amelung, University of Miami
Timothy H. Dixon, University of MiamiFollow
S. Baker, University of Miami
S-H. Hong, University of Miami

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2010

Keywords

volcano deformation

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL044942

Abstract

Volcanic edifices are constructed by a combination of erupted material and internal growth. We use the L-band satellite ALOS to produce InSAR measurements at Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador. We find a maximum of 17.5 cm of uplift on the upper western flank between December 2007 and March 2008, coincident with an eruption in February 2008. The deformation can be modeled using an ellipsoidal or sill-like source within the edifice. The models require an elongated aspect ratio with a length of 4–6 km. The intruded volume of 1.2 × 10⁶ m³ is roughly equivalent to the bulk erupted volume of 1.5 × 10⁶ m³ and together the values are roughly equal to the long-term magma flux. The question remains whether this uplift is permanent, thus contributing to the internal growth of the edifice, or temporary, in which case the magma will be released in a future eruption.

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Was this content written or created while at USF?

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Citation / Publisher Attribution

Geophysical Research Letters, v. 37, issue 21, art. L21302

Copyright 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.

Scholar Commons Citation

Biggs, J.; Mothes, P.; Ruiz, M.; Amelung, F.; Dixon, Timothy H.; Baker, S.; and Hong, S-H., "Stratovolcano Growth by Co-Eruptive Intrusion: The 2008 Eruption of Tungurahua Ecuador" (2010). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 431.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/431