SO2 emissions at Semeru volcano, Indonesia: Characterization and quantification of persistent and periodic explosive activity

J F Smekens, A B Clarke, M R Burton, A Harijoko, H E Wibowo

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    We present the first measurements of SO2 emissions at Semeru volcano, Indonesia, using an SO2 camera. Activity at Semeru is characterized by quiescent degassing interspersed with short-lived explosive events with low ash burden. The interval between explosions was measured at 32.1 +/- 15.7 min in a webcam survey of the volcano between the months of June and December 2013. We distinguish between two types of events: shorter events (type I: similar to 5 min duration) with emissions returning quickly to baseline levels, and longer events (type II: similar to 15 min duration) often showing multiple pulses and a longer period of increased emissions before a return to quiescent levels. Type I events represent >90% of the activity and release an average of 200-500 kg of SO2 per event The single type II event we documented with the SO2 camera released a total of 1460 kg of SO2. We estimate the daily average emissions of Semeru to be 21-71 t d(-1) of SO2, amounting to a yearly output of 8-26 Gg (8000-26,000 metric tons), with 35-65% released during explosive events. The time series patterns of degassing are consistent with the existence of a viscous plug at the top of the conduit, which seals the conduit immediately prior to explosive events, causing pressurization of the underlying magma followed by a sudden release of gas and fragmented magma. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)121-128
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
    Volume300
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

    Keywords

    • semeru
    • so2 emissions
    • periodic explosions
    • volcanic degassing
    • indonesian volcanoes
    • stromboli volcano
    • east java
    • eruptions
    • flux

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