Monitoring so2 emission at the Soufriere Hills volcano: Implications for changes in eruptive conditions

S.R. Young; P.W. Francis; J. Barclay; T. J. Casadevall; C. A. Gardner; B. Darroux; M. A. Davies; P. Delmelle; G.E. Norton; A.J.H. Maciejewski; C.M.M. Oppenheimer; J. Stix; I.M. Watson

doi:10.1029/98GL01406

Monitoring so2 emission at the Soufriere Hills volcano: Implications for changes in eruptive conditions

Geophysical Research Letters

By: S.R. Young, P.W. Francis, J. Barclay, T. J. Casadevall, C. A. Gardner, B. Darroux, M. A. Davies, P. Delmelle, G.E. Norton, A.J.H. Maciejewski, C.M.M. Oppenheimer, J. Stix, and I.M. Watson

https://doi.org/10.1029/98GL01406

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Abstract

Correlation spectrometer measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission rates during the current eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat, have contributed towards identifying different phases of volcanic activity. SO₂ emission rate has increased from <200 tonnes per day (td⁻¹; <2.3 kgs⁻¹) in the early stages of dome growth to >550 td⁻¹ (>6.4 kgs⁻¹) after July 1996, with the uncertainty associated with any individual measurement ca. 30%. Significantly enhanced SO₂ emission rates have been identified in association with early phreatic eruptions (800 td⁻¹ (9.3 kgs⁻¹)) and episodes of vigorous dome collapse and pyroclastic flow generation (900 to 1500 td⁻¹ (10.4 to 17.4 kgs⁻¹)). SO₂ emission rate has proved a useful proxy measurement for magma production rate. Observed SO₂ emission rates are significantly higher than those inferred from analyses of glass inclusions in phenocrysts, implying the existence of a S-rich magmatic vapour phase.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Monitoring so2 emission at the Soufriere Hills volcano: Implications for changes in eruptive conditions
Series title	Geophysical Research Letters
DOI	10.1029/98GL01406
Volume	25
Issue	19
Year Published	1998
Language	English
Publisher	American Geophysical Union
Description	4 p.
First page	3681
Last page	3684
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