Dynamics of the gryphon activity of gas-water lithoclastic (Mud) volcanoes and their relation to the natural seismicity as exemplified by Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk volcano (Sakhalin Island)

This paper reports detailed evidence on the dynamics of the gryphon activity of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk gas-water lithoclastic (mud) volcano. It was obtained by visual observations during periods between the short-term eruptions of 1959, 1979, and 2001 and, especially, during continuous monitoring between June 18 and September 3, 2005. In addition to the direct observations, the monitoring included measurements (three times per day) of the air temperature and pressure, the temperature of the liquid lithoclastic mass filling the crater hollows of several gryphons of various types, and the amounts of gases released by the two largest and most active gryphons. Liquid lithoclastic mass was collected daily in the crater of the largest (main or central) gryphon for the subsequent ICP AES analysis for five elements (Al, Fe, Ca, Mn, and Ba). The results of the monitoring were compared with the measurements of natural seismicity using the system of Dat and Datamark digital seismic stations. The acquired information was used to unequivocally demonstrate the existence of a direct causal relation between the activity of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk mud volcano, the dynamics of the chemical composition of the liquid lithoclastic mass ejected from its main gryphon, and the regional and local natural seismicity, which was previously conjectured. The dynamics of one of the measured elements (Al) is potentially useful for the prediction of eruptions.