Deep long-period earthquakes beneath Washington and Oregon volcanoes

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
By: , and 

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Abstract

Deep long-period (DLP) earthquakes are an enigmatic type of seismicity occurring near or beneath volcanoes. They are commonly associated with the presence of magma, and found in some cases to correlate with eruptive activity. To more thoroughly understand and characterize DLP occurrence near volcanoes in Washington and Oregon, we systematically searched the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) triggered earthquake catalog for DLPs occurring between 1980 (when PNSN began collecting digital data) and October 2009. Through our analysis we identified 60 DLPs beneath six Cascade volcanic centers. No DLPs were associated with volcanic activity, including the 1980–1986 and 2004–2008 eruptions at Mount St. Helens. More than half of the events occurred near Mount Baker, where the background flux of magmatic gases is greatest among Washington and Oregon volcanoes. The six volcanoes with DLPs (counts in parentheses) are Mount Baker (31), Glacier Peak (9), Mount Rainier (9), Mount St. Helens (9), Three Sisters (1), and Crater Lake (1). No DLPs were identified beneath Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, or Newberry Volcano, although (except at Hood) that may be due in part to poorer network coverage. In cases where the DLPs do not occur directly beneath the volcanic edifice, the locations coincide with large structural faults that extend into the deep crust. Our observations suggest the occurrence of DLPs in these areas could represent fluid and/or magma transport along pre-existing tectonic structures in the middle crust.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Deep long-period earthquakes beneath Washington and Oregon volcanoes
Series title Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
DOI 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2010.12.005
Volume 200
Issue 3-4
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description 13 p.
First page 116
Last page 128
Country United States
State Oregon, Washington
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