Diverse Eruptive Activity Revealed by Acoustic and Electromagnetic Observations of the 14 July 2013 Intense Vulcanian Eruption of Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador

J. F. Anderson, J. B. Johnson, A. L. Steele, M. C. Ruiz, B. D. Brand

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the powerful July 2013 eruption of Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador, we recorded exceptionally high amplitude, long-period infrasound (1,600-Pa peak-to-peak amplitude, 5.5-s period) on sensors within 2 km of the vent alongside electromagnetic signals from volcanic lightning serendipitously captured as interference. This explosion was one of Tungurahua's most powerful vulcanian eruptions since recent activity began in 1999, and its acoustic wave is among the most powerful volcanic infrasound ever recorded anywhere. We use these data to quantify erupted volume from the main explosion and to classify postexplosive degassing into distinct emission styles. Additionally, we demonstrate a highly effective method of recording lightning-related electromagnetic signals alongside infrasound. Detailed chronologies of powerful vulcanian eruptions are rare; this study demonstrates that diverse eruptive processes can occur in such eruptions and that near-vent infrasound and electromagnetic data can elucidate them.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)2976-2985
Number of pages10
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume45
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 16 Apr 2018

Keywords

  • vulcanian eruption
  • volcano infrasound
  • Tungurahua
  • volcanic lightning

EGS Disciplines

  • Earth Sciences
  • Geophysics and Seismology
  • Volcanology

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