A detailed view into the eruption clouds of Santiaguito volcano, Guatemala, using Doppler radar

February 10, 2014 - 22:39 -- ziemen
TitleA detailed view into the eruption clouds of Santiaguito volcano, Guatemala, using Doppler radar
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsScharff, L, Ziemen, F, Hort, M, Gerst, A, Johnson, JB
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Volume117
Paginationn/a–n/a
ISSN2156-2202
KeywordsDoppler radar, eruption dynamics, Santiaguito volcano
Abstract

Using Doppler radar technology we are able to show that eruptions at Santiaguito volcano, Guatemala, are comprised of multiple explosive degassing pulses occurring at a frequency of 0.2 to 0.3 Hz. The Doppler radar system was installed about 2.7 km away from the active dome on the top of Santa Maria volcano. During four days of continuous measurement 157 eruptive events were recorded. The Doppler radar data reveals a vertical uplift of the dome surface of about 50 cm immediately prior to a first degassing pulse. Particle velocities range from 10 to 15 m/s (in the line of sight of the radar). In 80% of the observed eruptions a second degassing pulse emanates from the dome with significantly higher particle velocities (20–25 m/s again line of sight) and increased echo power, which implies an increase in mass flux. We carry out numerical experiments of ballistic particle transport and calculate corresponding synthetic radar signals. These calculations show that the observations are consistent with a pulsed release of material from the dome of Santiaguito volcano.

URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2011JB008542
DOI10.1029/2011JB008542