Deformation-induced topographic effect due to shallow dyke: Etna December 2018 fissure eruption case study

Gravitational effect of surface deformation is in 4D microgravimetry treated as the deformation-induced topographic effect (DITE). The DITE field is computed using Newtonian volumetric integration which requires high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) and vertical displacement field in areal form. If only elevation changes on benchmarks of the gravimetric network are available, instead of the vertical displacement field, the DITE on benchmarks can be evaluated only approximately, using a planar Bouguer or a normal free-air-effect (nFAE) approximation. Here we analyze the adequacy and accuracy of these two approximations in a case study for the December 2018 fissure eruption on Etna accompanied by significant surface deformation caused primarily by a relatively shallow dyke. The outcome is that in volcanic areas of similar morphology as that over the Etna summit area, and for surface deformation fields due to relatively shallow dykes, neither the Bouguer nor the nFAE approximation of the DITE is accurate enough. In such situations the residual gravity changes should be computed with both the Bouguer and nFAE corrections and interpreted as two marginal cases. In addition we analyze also a correction for the effect of benchmark elevation change based on the topographically modelled (predicted) vertical gradient of gravity (VGG) meant to approximate the in-situ VGG values at benchmarks. This correction does not appear suitable to approximate the DITE in conditions of our case study or in broader sense.

Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption

The 2014–15 Holuhraun eruption in Iceland was the largest fissure eruption in over 200 years, emitting prodigious amounts of gas and particulate matter into the troposphere. Reykjavík, the capital area of Iceland (250 km from eruption site) was exposed to air pollution events from advection of (i) a relatively young and chemically primitive volcanic plume with a high sulphur dioxide gas (SO2) to sulphate PM (SO42−) ratio, and (ii) an older and chemically mature volcanic plume with a low SO2/SO42− ratio. Whereas the advection and air pollution caused by the primitive plume were successfully forecast and forewarned in public advisories, the mature plume was not. Here, we show that exposure to the mature plume is associated with an increase in register-measured health care utilisation for respiratory disease by 23% (95% CI 19.7–27.4%) and for asthma medication dispensing by 19.3% (95% CI 9.6–29.1%). Absence of public advisories is associated with increases in visits to primary care medical doctors and to the hospital emergency department. We recommend that operational response to volcanic air pollution considers both primitive and mature types of plumes.

Subsidence of the lava flow formed during 2012-2013 Tolbachik fissure eruption: SAR data and thermal model

<p>During the Tolbachik fissure eruption which took place from November 27, 2012 to September 15, 2013 a lava flow of area about 45.8 km<sup>2</sup> and total lava volume ~0.6 km<sup>3</sup> was formed. We applied method of persistent scatterers to the satellite Sentinel-1A SAR images and estimated the rates of displacement of the lava field surface for 2017–2019. The surface mainly subsides along the satellite’s line-of-sight, with the exception of the periphery of the Toludski and Leningradski lava flows, where small uplifts are observed. Assuming that the displacements occur mainly along the vertical, the maximum average displacement rates for the snowless period of 2017–2019 were 285, 249, and 261 mm/year, respectively. On the Leningradski and Toludski lava flows the maximum subsidence was registered in areas with the maximum lava thickness.</p><p>To estimate the thermal subsidence of the lava surface we constructed a thermal model of lava cooling. It provides subsidence rate which are generally close to the real one over a significant part of the lava field, but in a number of areas of its central part, the real subsidence values are much higher than the thermal estimates. According to the thermal model when lava thickness exceeds 40 meters, even 5 years after eruption under the solidified surface there can be a hot, ductile layer, which temperature exceeds 2/3 of the melting one. Since on the Leningradski flow, the maximum subsidence is observed in the area of the fissure along which the eruption took place, one could assume that the retreat of lava down the fissure could contribute to the observed displacements of the flow surface. Subsidence can also be associated with compaction of rocks under the weight of the overlying strata. Migration of non-solidified lava under the solidified cover, also can contribute to the observed distribution of displacements - subsidence of the surface of the lava field in the upper part of the slope and a slight uplift at its periphery.</p><p>The work was supported partly by the mega-grant program of the Russian Federation Ministry of Science and Education under the project no. 14.W03.31.0033 and partly by the Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University «Fundamental and Applied Space Research».</p>

Petrovite, Na10CaCu2(SO4)8, a new fumarolic sulfate from the Great Tolbachik fissure eruption, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Petrovite, Na10CaCu2(SO4)8, is a new sulfate mineral discovered on the Second scoria cone of the Great Tolbachik fissure eruption. The mineral occurs as globular aggregates of tabular crystals up to 0.2 mm in maximal dimension, generally with gaseous inclusions. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of O = 32 is Na6(Na1.80K0.20)Σ2Na(Ca0.82Na0.06Mg0.02)Σ0.90(Cu1.84Mg0.16)Σ2(Na0.52□0.48)Σ1S8.12O32. The crystal-chemical formula is CuNa6−2xCax(SO4)4, which, for x ≈ 0.5, results in the idealised formula Na10CaCu2(SO4)8. The crystal structure of petrovite was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data; the space group is P21/c, a = 12.6346(8), b = 9.0760(6), c = 12.7560(8) Å, β = 108.75(9)°, V = 1385.1(3) Å3, Z = 2 and R1 = 0.051. There are one Cu and six Na sites, one of which is also occupied by the essential amount of Ca. The Cu atom forms five Cu–O bonds in the range 1.980–2.180 Å and two long bonds ≈ 2.9 Å resulting in the formation of the CuO7 polyhedra, which share corners with SO4 tetrahedra to form isolated [Cu2(SO4)8]12− clusters. The clusters are surrounded by Na sites, which provide their linkage into a three-dimensional framework. The Mohs’ hardness is 4. The mineral is biaxial (+), with α = 1.498(3), βcalc = 1.500, γ = 1.516(3) and 2V = 20(10) (λ = 589 nm). The seven strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 7.21(27)(110); 6.25(38)(102); 4.47(31)(212); 3.95(21)(30$\bar{2}$); 3.85(17)(121); 3.70(36)(202); and 3.65(34)(22$\bar{1}$). The mineral is named in honour of Prof Dr Tomas Georgievich Petrov (b. 1931) for his contributions to mineralogy and crystallography and, in particular, for the development of technology for the industrial fabrication of jewellery malachite.

New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. XIV. Badalovite, NaNaMg(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3, a member of the alluaudite group

The new alluaudite-group mineral badalovite was found in the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with hematite, tenorite, cassiterite, johillerite, nickenichite, calciojohillerite, bradaczekite, metathénardite, aphthitalite, langbeinite, calciolangbeinite, sanidine, fluorophlogopite, fluoborite, tilasite, anhydrite, pseudobrookite, sylvite, halite, lammerite, urusovite, ericlaxmanite, arsmirandite, svabite, krasheninnikovite, euchlorine, wulffite and alumoklyuchevskite. Badalovite forms oblique-angled prismatic crystals up to 1 mm × 1 mm × 5 mm, typically combined in groups or crusts up to several hundred cm2 in area. The mineral is transparent, green, grey, yellow or colourless, with vitreous lustre. It is brittle, the Mohs hardness is 3½. Cleavage was not observed, the fracture is uneven. Dcalc is 4.02 g cm–3. Badalovite is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.753(3), β = 1.757(3), γ = 1.758(3) and 2Vmeas. = 50(10)°. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron-microprobe; holotype) is: Na2O 9.23, K2O 0.19, CaO 2.04, MgO 13.78, MnO 0.31, CuO 0.12, ZnO 0.24, Al2O3 0.06, Fe2O3 12.77, TiO2 0.01, SiO2 0.06, P2O5 0.33, V2O5 0.05, As2O5 61.51, SO3 0.02, total 100.72. The empirical formula based on 12 O apfu is Na1.67Ca0.20K0.02Mg1.92Zn0.02Mn0.02Cu0.01Fe3+0.90Al0.01(As3.01P0.03Si0.01)Σ3.05O12. The simplified formula is Na2Mg2Fe3+(AsO4)3. Badalovite is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 11.9034(3), b = 12.7832(2), c = 6.66340(16) Å, β = 112.523(3)°, V = 936.59(4) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest reflections of the powder XRD pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 6.41(38)(020), 5.505(20)(200), 3.577(23)($\bar{1}$31), 3.523(25)(310), 3.211(46)($\bar{1}$12), 2.911(28)($\bar{2}$22, $\bar{3}$12), 2.765(100)(240, 400) and 2.618(26)($\bar{1}$32). The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal XRD data with an R1 of = 2.49%. Badalovite is isostructural with other alluaudite-group minerals. Its simplified crystal chemical formula is A(1)NaA(1)’□A(2) □A(2)’NaM(1)MgM(2)(Mg0.5Fe3+0.5)2(AsO4)3 (□ – vacancy) and the end-member formula is NaNaMg(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3. The mineral is named in honour of the outstanding mineralogist and geochemist Stepan Tigranovich Badalov (1919–2014).

Hazards from lava–river interactions during the 1783–1784 Laki fissure eruption

Interactions between lava flows and surface water are not always considered in hazard assessments, despite abundant historical and geological evidence that they can create significant secondary hazards (e.g., floods and steam explosions). We combine contemporary accounts of the 1783–1784 Laki fissure eruption in southern Iceland with morphological analysis of the geological deposits to reconstruct the lava–water interactions and assess their impact on residents. We find that lava disrupted the local river systems, impounded water that flooded farms and impeded travel, and drove steam explosions that created at least 2979 rootless cones on the lava flow. Using aerial photographs and satellite-derived digital terrain models, we mapped and measured 12 of the 15 rootless cone groups on the Laki lava field. We have identified one new rootless cone group and provide data that suggest another cone group previously attributed to the 939–940 CE Eldgjá eruption was created by the Laki eruption. We then use contemporary accounts to estimate formation dates and environments for each cone group, which formed in wetland/lake areas, on riverbeds, and near areas of impounded water. Furthermore, comparison with previous field studies shows that assessments using remote sensing can be used to identify and map meter-scale and larger features on a lava flow, although remote mapping lacks the detail of field observations. Our findings highlight the different ways in which lava can interact with surface water, threatening people, property, water supplies, and infrastructure. For these reasons, anticipation of such interactions is important in lava flow hazard assessment in regions with abundant surface water; we further demonstrate that remote sensing can be an effective tool for identifying lava–water interactions in past lava flows.

VOLCANOES of KAMCHATKA

The results of near real-time monitoring of the active Kamchatka volcanoes are described. Continuous monitoring was carried out using three remote methods: 1) seismic monitoring according to automatic telemetric seismic stations; 2) visual and video observation; 3) satellite observation of the thermal anomalies and ash clouds. Daily information about the volcanic activity is published on the Internet (http://www.emsd.ru/~ssl/monitoring/main.htm) since February 2000. Annual results of the seismic activity of the Northern (Shiveluch, Kluchevskoy, Bezymianny, Krestovsky, and Ushkovsky), Avacha (Avachinsky and Koryaksky), Mutnovsky-Gorely volcano group, and Kizimen volcano are presented. 4390 earthquakes with КS=3.0–8.5 were located for the Northern volcano group, 213 earthquakes with КS=1.8–5.7 – for Avacha volcano group, 110 earthquakes with КS=2.7–7.2 – Mutnovsky-Gorely volcano group, 199 earthquakes with КS=3.0–8.5 for Kizimen volcano, and 22 earthquakes with КS=3.7–6.7 for the Zhupanovsky volcano in 2013. Maps of epicenters, quantities of seismic energy, and earthquake distribution according to class are given. All periods of activity were fixed and investigated by remote methods in 2013: intensive volcanic activity of Sheveluch volcano associated with new cone, subplinian summit eruption of Kluchevskoy volcano, seismic and volcanic activity of Zhupanovsky volcano after a 56-year quite period, and the ending of the long-time eruptions: Tolbachik fissure eruption and Kizimen volcano eruption.