Volcanic tremor at Pavlof Volcano,Alaska, October 1973–April 1986

In thirteen years (1973–1986) of seismic monitoring of Pavlof Volcano, 488 episodes of volcanic tremor have been recorded, only 26 of which have been previously described in the literature. This paper tabulates and describes all the tremor episodes and reports on the results of all analyses to date. Pavlof tremor durations range from 2 minutes to greater than 1 week; episodes accompanying magmatic eruptions have durations greater than 1 hour, and sustained amplitudes of greater than 6 mmP-P (=54 nanometers at 1.5 Hz) on station PVV, 8.5 km from the vent. Digital data provide much better amplitude resolution than helicorders do. Helicorders, however, provide continuous coverage, whereas digital data are intermittent. Correlations of tremor with visual eruption observations shows that tremor amplitudes are roughly correlated with heights of lava fountains, but the correlation of tremor amplitudes with plume heights is more problematic. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectra show that Pavlof tremor is quite statinary for the entire time period, 1973–1983. All principal spectral peaks lie between 0.8 and 3.0 Hz, and may be caused by resonance of magma and gas, and resonance of the volcanic pile. Preliminary analysis of 2-and 3-component data shows thatP, S, PL, and Rayleigh waves may be present in Pavlof volcanic tremor. Other waveforms can be misidentified as tremor, most commonly those caused by storms orS-waves of regional earthquakes. A strategy is proposed to distinguish tremor from noise using automatic seismic data acquisition and analysis systems. Pavlof's volcanic tremor is briefly compared with a preliminary sample of over 1100 cases of tremor from 84 volcanoes worldwide. Finally, several recommendations for monitoring and reporting volcanic tremor are discussed.     

Thermal precursors in satellite images of the 1999 eruption of Shishaldin Volcano

Shishaldin Volcano, Unimak Island Alaska, began showing signs of thermal unrest in satellite images on 9 February 1999. A thermal anomaly and small steam plume were detected at the summit of the volcano in short-wave thermal infrared AVHRR (advanced very high resolution radiometer) satellite data. This was followed by over 2 months of changes in the observed thermal character of the volcano. Initially, the thermal anomaly was only visible when the satellite passed nearly directly over the volcano, suggesting a hot source deep in the central crater obscured from more oblique satellite passes. The "zenith angle" needed to see the anomaly increased with time, presumably as the thermal source rose within the conduit. Based on this change, an ascent rate of ca. 14 m per day for the thermal source was estimated, until it reached the summit on around 21 March. It is thought that Strombolian activity began around this time. The precursory activity culminated in a sub-Plinian eruption on 19 April, ejecting ash to over 45,000 ft. (13,700 m). The thermal energy output through the precursory period was calculated based on geometric constraints unique to Shishaldin. These calculations show fluctuations that can be tied to changes in the eruptive character inferred from seismic records and later geologic studies. The remote location of this volcano made satellite images a necessary observation tool for this eruption. To date, this is the longest thermal precursory activity preceding a sub-Plinian eruption recorded by satellite images in the region. This type of thermal monitoring of remote volcanoes is central in the efforts of the Alaska Volcano Observatory to provide timely warnings of volcanic eruption, and mitigate their associated hazards to air-traffic and local residents.     

Reventador Volcano 2005: Eruptive activity inferred from seismo-acoustic observation

Reventador Volcano entered an eruptive phase in 2005 which included a wide variety of seismic and infrasonic activity. These are described and illustrated: volcano-tectonic, harmonic tremor, drumbeats, chugging and spasmodic tremor, long period and very long period events. The recording of this simultaneous activity on an array of three broadband, seismo-acoustic instruments provides detailed information of the state of the conduit and vent during this phase of volcanic eruption. Quasi-periodic tremor at Reventador is similar to that observed at other volcanoes and may be used as an indicator of vent aperture. Variations in the vibration modes of the volcano, frequency fluctuations and rapid temporal fluctuations suggest the influx of new material, choking of the vent and possible modification of the conduit geometry during explosions and effusion over a period of six weeks.     

Monitoring and prediction of volcanic activity in Kamchatka from seismological data: 2000–2010

Seismological Observations in Kamchatka were significantly improved due to the installation of new telemetered seismic stations near active volcanoes and the implementation of modern digital technologies for data transmission, acquisition, and processing in 1996–1998. This qualitative leap forward made it possible, not only to create an effective system for monitoring Kamchatka volcanoes and for timely and reliable assessment of the state of these volcanoes, but also to draw conclusions about volcanic hazard. The experience that was gained allowed us to make successful short-term forecasts for eight moderate explosive eruptions on Bezymyannyi Volcano of the ten that have occurred in 2004–2010, successful intermediate-term forecasts of evolving activity on Klyuchevskoi Volcano in three cases, as well as providing a successful forecast of an explosive eruption on Kizimen Volcano.     

Dynamical analysis of volcanic explosion

Visible phenomena accompanied by volcanic explosions at Sakurajima Volcano in Kyushu, Japan, were recorded by means of a TV camera and still cameras to make clear the process of explosive eruption of a Vulcanian type by image analysis and to enable a discussion of the process of explosive eruption. The most interesting phenomenon observed by the TV camera was visible shock waves passing through the atmosphere above the crater. The instant disappearance of thin clouds and the condensation of dense clouds were induced by the passage of shock waves. Explosion-quakes, which occurred at a depth of 1–2 km beneath the active crater, clearly preceded the explosion at the crater bottom. The atmospheric shock waves were generated in the crater 1.1–1.5 seconds later than the occurrence of the explosion-quake and propagated with the velocity of Mach 1.3–1.5 in a height range from 300 m to 600 m above the crater. Eruption clouds expanded subspherically for several seconds after the ejection and then the eruption column developed upwards at a certain velocity. The maximum ejection velocity of volcanic blocks, which was obtained from the analysis of photo-trajectories, was 112–157 m/sec. The internal pressure which ejected the volcanic blocks was estimated to be 138–271 bars in the case of the explosive eruptions analyzed. The results of analysis suggest that a high-pressure gas chamber was formed just beneath the crater bottom before the explosive eruption and that pressure waves caused by the explosion-quake acted as the trigger for the explosive eruption.     

On the spectral peaks of volcanic tremor at Stromboli

Seismic activity at Stromboli Volcano is characterized by a variety of signals, emanating from three vents. For a long time, the northwest vent has been in constant activity. Periodically, large explosions occur and material is ejected beyond the crater walls. These large explosions are accompanied by sonic and infrasonic pressure waves in the atmosphere, and explosion quakes. Apart from large explosions, there is constant activity in the form of continuous gas bursts which are related to low infrasonic pulses in the atmosphere and volcanic tremor. We assume that volcanic tremor and low pressure infrasonics are generated by gas bubbles inside the volcanic conduit, and accordingly, we compute synthetic tremor by modeling the source function as a pressure variation in a spherical cavity that propagates through a finely layered medium, by means of Haskell's formalism. To simulate a tremor, we superpose in time domain a large number of such pulses of varying amplitudes and time delays, according to the observed infrasonic series. In addition to the spectral similarity, the observed and synthetic tremor display the same autocorrelation and Hurst exponents, implying similar long-term correlation. We present strong evidence in favour of an interpretation of the spectral peaks of the volcanic tremor at Stromboli in terms of resonances of the layered structure, hence, as a path effect rather than a source effect.     

Eigen oscillation of a fluid sphere and source mechanism of harmonic volcanic tremor

The eigen oscillation of a fluid sphere embedded in an infinite elastic medium is analyzed to understand the source mechanism of volcanic tremor that vibrates nearly monotonically and attenuates slowly. The dimensionless eigen frequencies of the sinusoidal oscillation are calculated in a complex form with the attenuation factor in its imaginary part for various combinations of the three parameters: the contrasts of P-wave velocity, density and rigidity between the fluid and the country rock. Eigen oscillations consist of a high attenuation mode with a rapidly decaying pulsive wave at a low frequency and infinite number of regular modes with slowly decaying vibrations. For regular modes, the frequency of oscillation obtained from the real part of an eigen value is distributed in approximately regular intervals while the attenuation factor from the imaginary part is almost constant independent of the mode. Each eigen frequency of regular and high attenuation modes is degenerated with two independent eigen functions describing different distributions of displacement, velocity and stress. The theory is applied to harmonic volcanic tremor observed at Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano, central Japan. Observed spectral peaks of the tremor are explained by the eigen frequencies and attenuation factors of several lowest regular modes if the spherical fluid oscillator has a radius of dozens of meters and a P-wave velocity of about several hundred meters per second.     

Seismicity at Fuego,Pacaya, Izalco,and San Cristobal Volcanoes,Central America, 1973–1974

Seismic data collected at four volcanoes in Central America during 1973 and 1974 indicate three sources of seismicity: regional earthquakes with hypocentral distances greater than 80 km, earthquakes within 40 km of each volcano, and seismic activity originating at the volcanoes due to eruptive processes. Regional earthquakes generated by the underthrusting and subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate are the most prominent seismic feature in Central America. Earthquakes in the vicinity of the volcanoes occur on faults that appear to be related to volcano formation. Faulting near Fuego and Pacaya volcanoes in Guatemala is more complex due to motion on a major E-W striking transform plate boundary 40 km north of the volcanoes. Volcanic activity produces different kinds of seismic signatures. Shallow tectonic or A-type events originate on nearby faults and occur both singly and in swarms. There are typically from 0 to 6 A-type events per day withb value of about 1.3. At very shallow depths beneath Pacaya, Izalco, and San Cristobal large numbers of low-frequency or B-type events are recorded with predominant frequencies between 2.5 and 4.5 Hz and withb values of 1.7 to 2.9. The relative number of B-type events appears to be related to the eruptive states of the volcanoes; the more active volcanoes have higher levels of seismicity. At Fuego Volcano, however, low-frequency events have unusually long codas and appear to be similar to tremor. High-amplitude volcanic tremor is recorded at Fuego, Pacaya, and San Cristobal during eruptive periods. Large explosion earthquakes at Fuego are well recorded at five stations and yield information on near-surface seismic wave velocities (α=3.0±0.2 km/sec.).     

Forecasting volcanic eruptions from seismic data

An increase in cumulative seismic strain release from volcanic earthquakes prior to eruptions of Bezymyanniy Volcano in 1955–1961 and Sheveluch Volcano in 1964 in Kamchatka, and of Tokachi-dake Volcano on Hokkaido Island in 1962 occurred in accordance with a hyperbolic law. The relationship obtained may be universal for andesite volcanoes. Knowing the law of the increase of cumulative seismic strain and carrying out continueus observations of the seismic regime of andesite voleanoes makes it possible to prediet time and energy of eruptions. By observation of volcanic earthquakes it is also possible to predict the place and time of the occurrence of lateral craters.     

Changes in the height of the active Karymskii Volcano, Kamchatka during the period 1971–2007

Systematic measurements of the height of the summit crater rim on the active Karymskii Volcano showed that the variation of that parameter has been greater during its last eruption, lasting, with short intermissions, from January 1, 1996 until now (October 2007) compared with the earlier eruptions. The periodic increases in the height of Karymskii Volcano were due to explosion discharges of unconsolidated pyroclastic material, with most of this falling on the volcano’s cone. The increased seismicity of Karymskii Volcano intensified the slope movement processes, resulting in a comparatively flat area forming periodically on the crater rim; during separate, not very long, periods the height of the volcanic cone was increasing in discrete steps and at a greater rate. The periodic decrease in the height of Karymskii Volcano is due to compaction of pyroclastic material and, to a much greater extent, after violent explosions which expand the crater by removing its nearsummit circumference. The other contributing factor consists in sagging of the magma column due to partial emptying of the peripheral magma chamber, which makes the internal crater slope steeper, hence causes cone collapse and the cone lower. These occurrences are generally similar to the processes of crater and caldera generation described by previous investigators for other volcanoes of the world.     

The explosive activity of Karymskii Volcano, Kamchatka: Acoustic and seismic observations

Karymskii Volcano typically shows explosive activity with great variations in the frequency and energy of explosions. This is demonstrated here for three time segments of the volcano’s activity (1970–1973, 1976–1980, and 1996–2000). We examine various types of seismic and acoustic emission as controlled by crater morphology and the character of activity. The explosion funnels migrated over the crater area, and the 1976 effusive-explosive eruption occurred at two centers of lava flow effusion; this is here explained by the fact that magma as it was moving along the conduit was stratified to form a set of vertical filaments. The shape of shock waves in air recorded in August 2011 favors the hypothesis that the leading explosive mechanism during that period was a fragmentation wave that was produced in a gas-charged, viscous, porous magma during decompression. One notices that the shape of some shock waves in air recorded in 2011 indicates the occurrence of air blasts above the crater. The air blasts may have been caused by combustible volcanic gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen (CO and H₂), which entered the atmosphere in sufficient amounts.     

Summit eruptions of Klyuchevskoi Volcano,Kamchatka in the early 21st century, 2003–2013

This paper is concerned with eruptions, seismicity, and deformation on Klyuchevskoi Volcano during the summit eruptions of 2012–2013, with the condition of the central crater during the eruptions, and with the effect that is exerted by the height of the lava in the crater on the start of the eruptions. The recurrence of eruptions in the North Volcanic Cluster (NVC), Kamchatka showed that all the four volcanoes in the cluster (Klyuchevskoi, Tolbachik, Shiveluch, and Bezymyannyi) become active during definite phases that were identified in the 18.6-year lunar cycle. This relationship of the NVC eruptions to the active phases in the 18.6-year lunar cycle, as well as the relationship to the 11-year solar activity, showed that eruptions can be predicted, yielding long-term estimates of activity for the NVC volcanoes. The short-term prediction of volcanic eruptions requires knowledge of seismicity and deformation that occur during the precursory period and during the occurrence of eruptions. Seismic activity during the summit eruptions of 2003–2013 took place in the depth range 20–25 km during repose periods of the volcano and at depths of 0–5 km in the volcanic edifice during the eruption. One notes an almost complete absence of any earthquakes at great depths during the summit eruptions. Volcanic tremor (VT) was recorded from the time that the eruptions began and continued to occur until the end. Geodetic measurements showed that the center of the magma pressure beneath the volcano during the parasitic and summit eruptions of 1979–1989 moved in the 4–17 km depth range, while during the summit eruptions of 2003–2013 the center moved in the 15–20 km range. These changes in the depth of the center of magma pressure may have been related to evacuation from shallow magma chambers.     

Volcanic tremor related to the 1991 eruption of the Hekla volcano,Iceland

Volcanic tremor at the Hekla volcano is directly related to eruptive activity. It starts simultaneously with the eruptions and dies down at the end of them. No tremor at Hekla has been observed during non-eruptive times. The 1991 Hekla eruption began on 17 January, after a short warning time. Local seismograph stations recorded small premonitory earthquakes from 16:30 GMT on. At 17:02 GMT, low-frequency volcanic tremor became visible on the seismograph records, marking the onset of the eruption. The initial plinian phase of the eruption was short-lived. During the first day several fissures were active but, by the second day, the activity was already limited to a segment of one principal fissure. The eruption lasted almost 53 days. At the end of it, during the early hours of 11 March, volcanic tremor disappeared under the detection threshold and was followed by a swarm of small earthquakes. At the start of the eruption, the tremor amplitude rose rapidly and reached a maximum in only 10 min. The tremor was most vigorous during the first hour and started to decline sharply during the next hour, and later on more gently. During the eruption as a whole, the tremor had a continuous declining trend, with occasional increases lasting up to about 2 days. Spectral analysis of the tremor during the first 7 h of the eruption shows that it settled quickly, within a couple of minutes, to its characteristic frequency band, 0.5–1.5 Hz. The spectrum had typically one dominant peak at 0.7–0.9 Hz, and a few subdominant peaks. Hekla tremor likely has a shallow source. Particle motion plots suggest that it contains a significant component of surface waves. The tremor started first when the connection of the magma conduit with the atmosphere was reached, suggesting that degassing may contribute to its generation.     

Evolution of Mount Fuji,Japan: Inference from drilling into the subaerial oldest volcano,pre‐Komitake

A buried, old volcanic body (pre‐Komitake Volcano) was discovered during drilling into the northeastern flank of Mount Fuji. The pre‐Komitake Volcano is characterized by hornblende‐bearing andesite and dacite, in contrast to the porphyritic basaltic rocks of Komitake Volcano and to the olivine‐bearing basaltic rocks of Fuji Volcano. K‐Ar age determinations and geological analysis of drilling cores suggest that the pre‐Komitake Volcano began with effusion of basaltic lava flows around 260 ka and ended with explosive eruptions of basaltic andesite and dacite magma around 160 ka. After deposition of a thin soil layer on the pre‐Komitake volcanic rocks, successive effusions of lava flows occurred at Komitake Volcano until 100 ka. Explosive eruptions of Fuji Volcano followed shortly after the activity of Komitake. The long‐term eruption rate of about 3 km³/ka or more for Fuji Volcano is much higher than that estimated for pre‐Komitake and Komitake. The chemical variation within Fuji Volcano, represented by an increase in incompatible elements at nearly constant SiO₂, differs from that within pre‐Komitake and other volcanoes in the northern Izu‐Bonin arc, where incompatible elements increase with increasing SiO₂. These changes in the volcanism in Mount Fuji may have occurred due to a change in regional tectonics around 150 ka, although this remains unproven.     

A 3D magnetic structure of Izu-Oshima Volcano and their changes after the eruption in 1986 as estimated from repeated airborne magnetic surveys

A 3D magnetic inversion method using a conjugate gradient method (CG method) was developed for constructing 3D magnetization models of a volcanic edifice and applied to aeromagnetic anomalies of Izu-Oshima Volcano surveyed in 1986 and in 1997. The calculated results of the 1986 data show that the volcanic edifice of Izu-Oshima Volcano has a mean magnetization intensity ranging from 10.4 to 12.1 A/m. The derived 3D magnetic structure shows low magnetization zones beneath the west-northwest of the western caldera rim, beneath the west-southwest of Mt. Mihara and beneath Mt. Shiroishi. These features may be related with demagnetizations, reflecting a high thermal state due to magma activities in the 1986 eruption. The comparison between 3D magnetization models in 1986 and in 1997, indicates meaningful changes beneath the C-craters erupted in 1986, suggesting a recovery process of demagnetizations and a considerable decrease of magnetization intensities in the foot of Mt. Futago, indicative of demagnetizations. A derived magnetization model including Izu-Oshima Volcano and its surrounding sea areas clarifies the submerged volcanic edifices around Izu-Oshima Island, and suggests that the old volcanic edifices of Fudeshima, Gyojyanoiwaya, and Okata Volcanoes have been affected by eastward migrations due to massive intrusions of a dike-like structure inferred at the base of Izu-Oshima Volcano.     

The Fekete-hegy (Balaton Highland Hungary) “soft-substrate” and “hard-substrate” maar volcanoes in an aligned volcanic complex – Implications for vent geometry,subsurface stratigraphy and the palaeoenvironmental setting

The Fekete-hegy volcanic complex is located in the centre of the Bakony Balaton Highland Volcanic Field, in the Pannonian Basin, which formed from the late Miocene to Pliocene period. The eruption of at least four very closely clustered maar volcanoes into two clearly distinct types of prevolcanic rocks allows the observation and comparison of hard-substrate and soft-substrate maars in one volcanic complex. The analyses of bedding features, determination of the proportion of accidental lithic clasts, granulometry and age determination helped to identify and distinguish the two types of maar volcanoes. Ascending magma interacted with meteoric water in karst aquifers in Mesozoic carbonates, as well as in porous media aquifers in Neogene unconsolidated, wet, siliciclastic sediments. The divided basement setting is reflected by distinct bedding characteristics and morphological features of the individual volcanic edifices as well as a distinct composition of pyroclastic rocks. Country rocks in hard-substrate maars have a steep angle of repose, leading to the formation of steep sided cone-shaped diatremes. Enlargement and filling of these diatreme is mainly a result of shattering material by FCI related shock waves and wall-rock collapse during downward penetration of the explosion locus. Country rocks in soft-substrate maars have much shallower angles of repose, leading to the formation of broad, bowl shaped structures or irregular depressions. Enlargement and filling of these diatremes is mainly the result of substrate collapse, for example due to liquefaction of unconsolidated material by FCI-related shock waves, and its emplacement by gravity flows. The Fekete-hegy is an important example illustrating that the substrate of a volcanic edifice has to be taken into account as an important interface, which can have major control on phreatomagmatic eruptions and the resulting characteristics of the volcanic complex.     

Volcano hazards program in the United States

Volcano monitoring and volcanic-hazards studies have received greatly increased attention in the United States in the past few years. Before 1980, the Volcanic Hazards Program was primarily focused on the active volcanoes of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii, which have been monitored continuously since 1912 by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. After the reawakening and catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the program was substantially expanded as the government and general public became aware of the potential for eruptions and associated hazards within the conterminous United States. Integrated components of the expanded program include: volcanic-hazards assessment; volcano monitoring; fundamental research; and, in concert with federal, state, and local authorities, emergency-response planning.In 1980 the David A. Johnston Cascades Volcano Observatory was established in Vancouver, Washington, to systematically monitor the continuing activity of Mount St. Helens, and to acquire baseline data for monitoring the other, presently quiescent, but potentially dangerous Cascade volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest. Since June 1980, all of the eruptions of Mount St. Helens have been predicted successfully on the basis of seismic and geodetic monitoring.The largest volcanic eruptions, but the least probable statistically, that pose a threat to western conterminous United States are those from the large Pleistocene-Holocene volcanic systems, such as Long Valley caldera (California) and Yellowstone caldera (Wyoming), which are underlain by large magma chambers still potentially capable of producing catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions. In order to become better prepared for possible future hazards associated with such historically unpecedented events, detailed studies of these, and similar, large volcanic systems should be intensified to gain better insight into caldera-forming processes and to recognize, if possible, the precursors of caldera-forming eruptions.     

Cladistic analysis applied to the classification of volcanoes

Cladistics is a systematic method of classification that groups entities on the basis of sharing similar characteristics in the most parsimonious manner. Here cladistics is applied to the classification of volcanoes using a dataset of 59 Quaternary volcanoes and 129 volcanic edifices of the Tohoku region, Northeast Japan. Volcano and edifice characteristics recorded in the database include attributes of volcano size, chemical composition, dominant eruptive products, volcano morphology, dominant landforms, volcano age and eruptive history. Without characteristics related to time the volcanic edifices divide into two groups, with characters related to volcano size, dominant composition and edifice morphology being the most diagnostic. Analysis including time based characteristics yields four groups with a good correlation between these groups and the two groups from the analysis without time for 108 out of 129 volcanic edifices. Thus when characters are slightly changed the volcanoes still form similar groupings. Analysis of the volcanoes both with and without time yields three groups based on compositional, eruptive products and morphological characters. Spatial clusters of volcanic centres have been recognised in the Tohoku region by Tamura et al. (Earth Planet Sci Lett 197:105–106, 2002). The groups identified by cladistic analysis are distributed unevenly between the clusters, indicating a tendency for individual clusters to form similar kinds of volcanoes with distinctive but coherent styles of volcanism. Uneven distribution of volcano types between clusters can be explained by variations in dominant magma compositions through time, which are reflected in eruption products and volcanic landforms. Cladistic analysis can be a useful tool for elucidating dynamic igneous processes that could be applied to other regions and globally. Our exploratory study indicates that cladistics has promise as a method for classifying volcanoes and potentially elucidating dynamic and evolutionary volcanic processes. Cladistics may also have utility in hazards assessment where spatial distributions and robust definitions of a volcano are important, as in locating sensitive facilities such as nuclear reactors and repositories.     

Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure in the upper crust beneath Kuju Volcano, central Kyushu, Japan

 Kuju Volcano lies near Aso Caldera at the center of Kyushu Island, western Japan. After a few hundred years of dormancy, a phreatic explosion accompanied by a small ash eruption occurred on 11 October 1995. This study was undertaken to determine the subsurface seismic velocity structure associated with the active magmatic regime in the Kuju volcanic region. The three-dimensional, upper crustal, P-wave velocity structure beneath Kuju Volcano was determined using methods for the simultaneous inversion of P-wave arrival times from local earthquakes in and around the Kuju volcanic region for velocities and hypocentral parameters. Results reveal two shallower low-velocity anomalies located in the northern and southern parts of Kuju Volcano, consistent with the presence of significant negative Bouguer gravity anomalies. In addition, a high-velocity anomaly is located approximately 5 km northwest of Mt. Kuju, one of the domes in Kuju Volcano. Beneath this high-velocity anomaly, a low-velocity anomaly is present. This velocity structure suggests a magmatic regime that has a lid consisting of cooled solid material overlying a chamber of partially molten material. Received: 23 September 1997 / Accepted: 20 June 1998     

Le Volcan Popocatepetl (Mexique): structure,evolution pétrologique et risques

Volcan Popocatepetl, which lies 70 km southeast of Mexico City, is one of the most famous andesite composite volcanoes in the world. With 5,450 m of elevation, it is the second highest peak of Mexico. Located 320 km north of the Middle America Trench, at the centre of the Mexican Volcanic Belt, Volcano Popocatepetl forms the southern active part of a northsouth volcanic complex, the northern part consisting of the eroded Volcano Iztaccihuatl.Since its earliest reported eruption in 1519, Volcano Popocatepetl has had a continuous fumarolic activity in its crater, and in frequent small eruptions (1720, 1802–1804, 1920). In contrast with this light activity, C¹⁴ data indicate pre-historical cycles of intense volcanism with paroxysmal pyroclastic eruptions (ash and pumice-flows) alternating with effusive phases and plinian air-fall deposits.The results of a volcanological study and the petrological characteristics of the main volcanic units show that Volcano Popocatepetl is composed of a primitive composite-volcano on which a recent summit cone is superimposed. It has been built during 2 very dissimilar volcanic periods linked by a transitional phase.

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Le Volcan Popocatepetl (Mexique): structure, evolution pétrologique et risques