Volume Flow Rate Estimation for Small Explosions at Mt. Etna, Italy, From Acoustic Waveform Inversion

Rapid assessment of the volume and the rate at which gas and pyroclasts are injected into the atmosphere during volcanic explosions is key to effective eruption hazard mitigation. Here, we use data from a dense infrasound network deployed in 2017 on Mt. Etna, Italy, to estimate eruptive volume flow...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2019-10, Vol.46 (20), p.11071-11079
Main Authors: Diaz‐Moreno, A., Iezzi, A. M., Lamb, O. D., Fee, D., Kim, K., Zuccarello, L., De Angelis, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Approximation
Assessments
Atmosphere
Atmospheric models
Atmospheric pressure
Dipoles
Directivity
Elastic waves
eruption intensity
Explosions
FDTD
Flow rates
Flow velocity
Geosciences
Green's function
Green's functions
Hazard mitigation
Infrasound
Inversion
Mitigation
Mt. Etna
Multipoles
Parameters
Plumes
Pressure waves
Real time
Sound waves
Volcanic activity
Volcanic ash
Volcanic plumes
volcano infrasound
Volcanoes
volume flow rate
waveform inversion
Waveforms
Workflow
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Summary:Rapid assessment of the volume and the rate at which gas and pyroclasts are injected into the atmosphere during volcanic explosions is key to effective eruption hazard mitigation. Here, we use data from a dense infrasound network deployed in 2017 on Mt. Etna, Italy, to estimate eruptive volume flow rates (VFRs) during small gas‐and‐ash explosions. We use a finite‐difference time‐domain approximation to compute the acoustic Green's functions and perform a full waveform inversion for a multipole source, combining monopole and horizontal dipole terms. The inversion produces realistic estimates of VFR, on the order of 4 × 104 m3/s and well‐defined patterns of source directivity. This is the first application of acoustic waveform inversion at Mt. Etna. Our results demonstrate that acoustic waveform inversion is a mature and robust tool for assessment of source parameters and holds potential as a tool to provide rapid estimates of VFR in near real time. Plain Language Summary Rapid and realistic assessment of the volume of erupted material, and the rate at which gas and pyroclasts are injected into the atmosphere during volcanic explosions, is crucial for effective monitoring and hazard mitigation. These parameters, for instance, are key inputs into models of atmospheric rise and transport of volcanic plumes. Volcanic explosions, among many other phenomena, generate atmospheric pressure waves known as infrasound. These sound waves that propagate at frequencies below 20 Hz, represent a powerful tool to investigate the dynamics and source mechanisms of volcanic explosions. Here, we demonstrate how recordings of acoustic infrasound generated by explosions at Mt. Etna can be used to assess the volume flow history of these events. We introduce and apply a data modeling workflow that could be implemented in near real time at Mt. Etna and other volcanoes worldwide. Key Points This is the first application of acoustic waveform inversion for small explosions at Mt. Etna volcano, Italy We demonstrate the feasibility of applying this inversion method for large volcanoes using up to 14 stations Acoustic waveform inversion holds potential for volume flow estimation in near real time at Mt. Etna and other volcanoes
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/2019GL084598