Very-small-aperture 3D infrasonic array for volcanic jet observation at Stromboli Volcano

Summary This study tested a very-small-aperture three-dimensional (VSA-3D) infrasonic array. A 3D array is ideal for resolving the back elevation angle (BEL), which has become important in the analysis of volcanic jet noise or geologic flows on steep mountain slopes. Although a VSA infrasonic array, with an aperture as small as a few tens of meters, has recently been shown to have a sufficient resolution of the back azimuth (BAZ) of incident signals, its BEL resolution is considered to be poor. We performed a four-element 3D array experiment with a 20-m aperture and 2-m height at the summit of Stromboli Volcano. We analyzed the direction of arrival (DOA) with the MUSIC algorithm as a function of frequency and conducted a cluster analysis for the estimated DOA–frequency functions of eruption signals. As a result, individual infrasonic signals were successfully related to eruptive vents. We also calculated the standard deviation (STD) of the DOAs in each cluster. Of the observed BAZ-STDs and BEL-STDs, 80 per cent were <2.0° and <4.6°, respectively. A comparison among the array geometries showed that the installation of a sensor above the ground, even at only 2 m, improved the BEL resolution, indicating that the VSA-3D array provides more detailed information about the wavefield than a planar array. The observed signals had higher BELs (−20° to 0°) than the vent direction (−30° to −25°) at 3–6 Hz, although signals above 20 Hz arrived from the vent direction. Our array verified that such DOA deviations were significant by the STD analysis and some tests with synthetic data. We infer that the DOA deviations do not indicate the source location and are caused by topographical diffraction.

Standing shock prevents propagation of sparks in supersonic explosive flows

Volcanic jet flows in explosive eruptions emit radio frequency signatures, indicative of their fluid dynamic and electrostatic conditions. The emissions originate from sparks supported by an electric field built up by the ejected charged volcanic particles. When shock-defined, low-pressure regions confine the sparks, the signatures may be limited to high-frequency content corresponding to the early components of the avalanche-streamer-leader hierarchy. Here, we image sparks and a standing shock together in a transient supersonic jet of micro-diamonds entrained in argon. Fluid dynamic and kinetic simulations of the experiment demonstrate that the observed sparks originate upstream of the standing shock. The sparks are initiated in the rarefaction region, and cut off at the shock, which would limit their radio frequency emissions to a tell-tale high-frequency regime. We show that sparks transmit an impression of the explosive flow, and open the way for novel instrumentation to diagnose currently inaccessible explosive phenomena.

Decrease in Volcano Jet Noise Peak Frequency from Crater Expansion

<p>Volcanic jet noise is the sound, often below the human audible range (<20 Hz and termed infrasound), generated by momentum-driven fluid flow through a volcanic vent. Assuming the self-similarity of jet flows and audible jet noise extends to infrasonic volcanic jet noise, the Strouhal number, <em>St=D<sub>j</sub>f/U<sub>j</sub></em>, connects frequency changes, <em>f</em>, to changes in the jet length (expanded jet diameter, <em>D<sub>j</sub></em>) and/or velocity scale (jet velocity, <em>U<sub>j</sub></em>). We examine the infrasound signal characteristics from the June 2019 VEI 4 eruptions of Raikoke, Kuril Islands and Ulawun, Papua New Guinea volcanoes with changes in crater geometry. We use data from the International Monitoring System (IMS) infrasound network and pre- and post-eruption satellite data (RADARSAT-2 and PlanetScope imaging for Raikoke and Ulawun, respectively). During both eruptions we observe a decrease in infrasound peak frequency during the transition to a Plinian phase, which remains through the end of the eruptions. The RADARSAT-2 data show a qualitative increase in the crater area at Raikoke; quantitative analysis is limited by shadows. At Ulawun, however, we estimate an increase in crater area from ~35,000 m<sup>2</sup> on May 25, 2019 to ~66,000 m<sup>2</sup> on July 17, 2019. We assume a constant Strouhal number and use the crater diameter as a proxy for expanded jet diameter. Our analysis suggests that the increase in crater diameter alone cannot account for the decrease in peak frequency during the Ulawun eruption. This suggests that the jet velocity also increased, which fits satellite data, and or the fluid properties (e.g. particle loading, nozzle geometry and roughness, etc.) changed. This is reasonable as the Ulawun eruption went Plinian, which likely involved an increase in jet velocity and erosion of the crater walls. This is the first study to corroborate the decrease in infrasound peak frequency with documented increase in crater area. The fortuitous satellite overpass timing, clear skies, and high spatial resolution enabled the quantitative examination of the Ulawun eruption.</p>

Volcanic Jet Noise from the Kilauea Fissure 8 Lava Fountain

<p>Seismic and acoustic signals are important for remote real time and post-eruption analysis of volcanic eruptions. To properly interpret these signals it is critical to connect their characteristics with eruption parameters. In this study, we present an analysis of the infrasound emissions by the sustained lava fountain at Fissure 8 during the 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. This eruption was one of the largest and most destructive events in Hawaii’s historic times. Large (35.5 km2) lava flows covered much of the Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) and destroyed property and infrastructure. This activity was dominated by high lava effusion rates at Fissure 8 and lava fountains up to 80 m tall. The energetic output of gas and lava produced sustained, broadband acoustic waves which were recorded by a four-element infrasound array deployed 0.6 km northwest of the fountain. The spectrum of the infrasound is similar to that of man-made jets and is termed volcanic jet noise. We compare the spectrum of the recorded infrasound signal with models developed for man-made jets such as rockets and jet engines. These models predict different spectral shapes for fine scale turbulence (FST), produced by incoherent movement of the gases, and large scale turbulence (LST), produced by coherent instability waves. The dominance of one or the other turbulent noise source is highly directional. We compare the infrasonic signals with observations of fountain properties, such as pyroclast velocity and height, to help understand the jet noise signals and determine quantitative fountain properties from the infrasound. The results of this work will contribute to the understanding of the physics of lava fountain sound generation, its dependence on eruption parameters, and ultimately provide a tool for rapid assessment of eruption style and dynamics.</p>