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A phenomenological model for precursor volcanic eruptions

Nature volume 411, pages 678–680 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Intense explosions of relatively short duration frequently precede large explosive and effusive volcanic eruptions—by as much as weeks to months in the case of very viscous magmas1,2,3,4,5,6. In some cases, such pre-eruption activity has served as a sufficient warning to those living in the vicinity to evacuate and avoid calamity1. Precursor events seem to be related to the formation of a magma pathway to the surface, but their precise interpretation is a long-standing puzzle. It has been inferred from theoretical studies that exsolution of volatiles might create an almost separate gas pocket at the tip of a propagating dyke7,8,9. Here we explain the role that such a process may have, using a laboratory study of the transient propagation of a liquid-filled crack with a gas pocket at its tip that grows with time. We show that once the gas pocket acquires sufficient buoyancy to overcome the fracture resistance of the host solid the dynamics of the gas pocket, rather than those of the liquid, determine the velocity of the crack tip. Furthermore, we find that the gas can ultimately separate from the liquid. We propose that fast-moving, gas-rich pockets reaching the surface ahead of the main liquid-filled fissure could be the origin of many precursor eruptions.

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Figure 1: Experimental apparatus and rheology of gelatin.
Figure 2: Photographs of an experiment.
Figure 3: Time evolution of velocity and injection rate during propagation.
Figure 4: Crack velocity versus gas pocket height.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. M. Rubin for comments and D. L. Sahagian. We also thank A. Agnon and C. Jaupart for discussions and G. Bienfait for help with experiments.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Thierry Menand

    Present address: BP Institute for Multiphase Flow, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rise, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0EZ, U.K.

  2. Stephen R. Tait

    Present address: TH Huxley School of Environment, Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, RSM Building, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BP, U.K.

  3. Thierry Menand: Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to T.M.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Dynamique des Systèmes Géologiques, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 4, place Jussieu, Paris, cedex 05, 75252, France

    Thierry Menand & Stephen R. Tait

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  1. Thierry Menand
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Correspondence to Thierry Menand.

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Menand, T., Tait, S. A phenomenological model for precursor volcanic eruptions. Nature 411, 678–680 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35079552

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