Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates
Dome-building volcanic eruptions are often associated with frequent Vulcanian explosions, which constitute a substantial threat to proximal communities. One proposed mechanism driving such explosions is the sealing of the shallow volcanic system followed by pressurization due to gas accumulation ben...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Earth Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2022.976928/full |
| _version_ | 1811211423092572160 |
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| author | Syegi Kunrat Christoph Kern Hilma Alfianti Allan H. Lerner |
| author_facet | Syegi Kunrat Christoph Kern Hilma Alfianti Allan H. Lerner |
| author_sort | Syegi Kunrat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dome-building volcanic eruptions are often associated with frequent Vulcanian explosions, which constitute a substantial threat to proximal communities. One proposed mechanism driving such explosions is the sealing of the shallow volcanic system followed by pressurization due to gas accumulation beneath the seal. We investigate this hypothesis at Sinabung Volcano (Sumatra, Indonesia), which has been in a state of eruption since August 2010. In 2013, the volcano began erupting a lava dome and lava flow, and frequent explosions produced eruptive columns that rose many kilometers into the atmosphere and at times sent pyroclastic density currents down the southeast flanks. A network of scanning Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometers (DOAS) was installed on the volcano’s eastern flank in 2016 to continuously monitor SO2 emission rates during daytime hours. Analysis of the DOAS data from October 2016 to September 2017 revealed that passive SO2 emissions were generally lower in the 5 days leading up to explosive events (∼100 t/d) than was common in 5-day periods leading up to days on which no explosions occurred (∼200 t/d). The variability of passive SO2 emissions, expressed as the standard deviation, also took on a slightly wider range of values before days with explosions (0–103 t/d at 1-sigma) than before days without explosions (43–117 t/d). These observations are consistent with the aforementioned seal-failure model, where the sealing of the volcanic conduit blocks gas emissions and leads to pressurization and potential Vulcanian explosions. We develop a forecasting methodology that allows calculation of a relative daily explosion probability based solely on measurements of the SO2 emission rate in the preceding days. We then calculate forecast explosion probabilities for the remaining SO2 emissions dataset (October 2017—September 2021). While the absolute accuracy of forecast explosion probabilities is variable, the method can inform the probability of an explosion occurring relative to that on other days in each test period. This information can be used operationally by volcano observatories to assess relative risk. The SO2 emissions-based forecasting method is likely applicable to other open vent volcanoes experiencing dome-forming eruptions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T05:12:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a33cf22f01ed4849b91ad8e34ab8bf25 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-6463 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T05:12:46Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-a33cf22f01ed4849b91ad8e34ab8bf252022-12-22T03:46:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632022-09-011010.3389/feart.2022.976928976928Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission ratesSyegi Kunrat0Christoph Kern1Hilma Alfianti2Allan H. Lerner3Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bandung, IndonesiaU.S. Geological Survey, Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, Vancouver, WA, United StatesCenter for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bandung, IndonesiaU.S. Geological Survey, Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, Vancouver, WA, United StatesDome-building volcanic eruptions are often associated with frequent Vulcanian explosions, which constitute a substantial threat to proximal communities. One proposed mechanism driving such explosions is the sealing of the shallow volcanic system followed by pressurization due to gas accumulation beneath the seal. We investigate this hypothesis at Sinabung Volcano (Sumatra, Indonesia), which has been in a state of eruption since August 2010. In 2013, the volcano began erupting a lava dome and lava flow, and frequent explosions produced eruptive columns that rose many kilometers into the atmosphere and at times sent pyroclastic density currents down the southeast flanks. A network of scanning Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometers (DOAS) was installed on the volcano’s eastern flank in 2016 to continuously monitor SO2 emission rates during daytime hours. Analysis of the DOAS data from October 2016 to September 2017 revealed that passive SO2 emissions were generally lower in the 5 days leading up to explosive events (∼100 t/d) than was common in 5-day periods leading up to days on which no explosions occurred (∼200 t/d). The variability of passive SO2 emissions, expressed as the standard deviation, also took on a slightly wider range of values before days with explosions (0–103 t/d at 1-sigma) than before days without explosions (43–117 t/d). These observations are consistent with the aforementioned seal-failure model, where the sealing of the volcanic conduit blocks gas emissions and leads to pressurization and potential Vulcanian explosions. We develop a forecasting methodology that allows calculation of a relative daily explosion probability based solely on measurements of the SO2 emission rate in the preceding days. We then calculate forecast explosion probabilities for the remaining SO2 emissions dataset (October 2017—September 2021). While the absolute accuracy of forecast explosion probabilities is variable, the method can inform the probability of an explosion occurring relative to that on other days in each test period. This information can be used operationally by volcano observatories to assess relative risk. The SO2 emissions-based forecasting method is likely applicable to other open vent volcanoes experiencing dome-forming eruptions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2022.976928/fullSinabung VolcanoVulcanian explosionsvolcanic gasesDOASeruption forecastingsulfur dioxide |
| spellingShingle | Syegi Kunrat Christoph Kern Hilma Alfianti Allan H. Lerner Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates Frontiers in Earth Science Sinabung Volcano Vulcanian explosions volcanic gases DOAS eruption forecasting sulfur dioxide |
| title | Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates |
| title_full | Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates |
| title_fullStr | Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates |
| title_short | Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates |
| title_sort | forecasting explosions at sinabung volcano indonesia based on so2 emission rates |
| topic | Sinabung Volcano Vulcanian explosions volcanic gases DOAS eruption forecasting sulfur dioxide |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2022.976928/full |
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