This study revisits the kinematics and tectonics of Central America subduction, synthesizing observations of marine bathymetry, high-resolution land topography, current plate motions, and the recent seismotectonic and magmatic history in this region. The inferred tectonic history implies that the Guatemala–El Salvador and Nicaraguan segments of this volcanic arc have been a region of significant arc tectonic extension; extension arising from the interplay between subduction roll-back of the Cocos Plate and the ~ 10–15mm/yr slower westward drift of the Caribbean plate relative to the North American Plate. The ages of belts of magmatic rocks paralleling both sides of the current Nicaraguan arc are consistent with long-term arc-normal extension in Nicaragua at the rate of ~ 5–10mm/yr, in agreement with rates predicted by plate kinematics. Significant arc-normal extension can ‘hide’ a very large intrusive arc-magma flux; we suggest that Nicaragua is, in fact, the most magmatically robust section of the Central American arc, and that the volume of intrusive volcanism here has been previously greatly underestimated. Yet, this flux is hidden by the persistent extension and sediment infill of the rifting basin in which the current arc sits. Observed geochemical differences between the Nicaraguan arc and its neighbors which suggest that Nicaragua has a higher rate of arc-magmatism are consistent with this interpretation. Smaller-amplitude, but similar systematic geochemical correlations between arc-chemistry and arc-extension in Guatemala show the same pattern as the even larger variations between the Nicaragua arc and its neighbors.

Intra-Arc extension in Central America: Links between plate motions, tectonics, volcanism, and geochemistry

Wearing surgical masks or other similar face coverings can reduce the emission of expiratory particles produced via breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing. Although it is well established that some fraction of the expiratory airflow leaks around the edges of the mask, it is unclear how these leakage airflows affect the overall efficiency with which masks block emission of expiratory aerosol particles. Here, we show experimentally that the aerosol particle concentrations in the leakage airflows around a surgical mask are reduced compared to no mask wearing, with the magnitude of reduction dependent on the direction of escape (out the top, the sides, or the bottom). Because the actual leakage flowrate in each direction is difficult to measure, we use a Monte Carlo approach to estimate flow-corrected particle emission rates for particles having diameters in the range 0.5-20 μm. in all orientations. From these, we derive a flow-weighted overall number-based particle removal efficiency for the mask. The overall mask efficiency, accounting both for air that passes through the mask and for leakage flows, is reduced compared to the through-mask filtration efficiency, from 93 to 70% for talking, but from only 94-90% for coughing. These results demonstrate that leakage flows due to imperfect sealing do decrease mask efficiencies for reducing emission of expiratory particles, but even with such leakage surgical masks provide substantial control.

/pdf/expiratory-aerosol-particle-escape-from-surgical-masks-due-3hxszzvwuq.pdf

Expiratory aerosol particle escape from surgical masks due to imperfect sealing.

Abstract Open-vent, persistently degassing volcanoes—such as Stromboli and Etna (Italy), Villarrica (Chile), Bagana and Manam (Papua New Guinea), Fuego and Pacaya (Guatemala) volcanoes—produce high gas fluxes and infrequent violent strombolian or ‘paroxysmal’ eruptions that erupt very little magma. Here we draw on examples of open-vent volcanic systems to highlight the principal characteristics of their degassing regimes and develop a generic model to explain open-vent degassing in both high and low viscosity magmas and across a range of tectonic settings. Importantly, gas fluxes from open-vent volcanoes are far higher than can be supplied by erupting magma and independent migration of exsolved volatiles is integral to the dynamics of such systems. The composition of volcanic gases emitted from open-vent volcanoes is consistent with its derivation from magma stored over a range of crustal depths that in general requires contributions from both magma decompression (magma ascent and/or convection) and iso- and polybaric second boiling processes. Prolonged crystallisation of water-rich basalts in crustal reservoirs produces a segregated exsolved hydrous volatile phase that may flux through overlying shallow magma reservoirs, modulating heat flux and generating overpressure in the shallow conduit. Small fraction water-rich melts generated in the lower and mid-crust may play an important role in advecting volatiles to subvolcanic reservoirs. Excessive gas fluxes at the surface are linked to extensive intrusive magmatic activity and endogenous crustal growth, aided in many cases by extensional tectonics in the crust, which may control the longevity and activity of open-vent volcanoes. There is emerging abundant geophysical evidence for the existence of a segregated exsolved magmatic volatile phase in magma storage regions in the crust. Here we provide a conceptual picture of gas-dominated volcanoes driven by magmatic intrusion and degassing throughout the crust. 

/pdf/open-vent-volcanoes-fuelled-by-depth-integrated-magma-3cs1dioj.pdf

Open-vent volcanoes fuelled by depth-integrated magma degassing

Several global digital elevation models (DEMs) have been developed in the last two decades. The most recent addition to the family of global DEMs is the TanDEM-X DEM. The original version of the TanDEM-X DEM is, however, a nonedited product (i.e., it contains local artefacts such as voids, spikes, and holes). Therefore, subsequent identification of local artefacts and their editing is necessary. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of the original TanDEM-X DEM and its improved edited version, the Copernicus DEM, in three major European mountain ranges (the Alps, the Carpathians, and the Pyrenees) using a digital surface model derived from airborne laser scanning data as a reference. In addition, to evaluate the applicability of data acquisition characteristics (coverage map, consistency mask, and height error map) and terrain characteristics (slope, aspect, altitude) to the localization of problematic sites, we modeled their associations with the TanDEM-X DEM error. We revealed local occurrences of large errors in the TanDEM-X DEM that were typically found on steep ridges or in canyons, which were largely corrected in the Copernicus DEM. The editing procedure used for the Copernicus DEM construction was evidently successful as the RMSE for the TanDEM-X and Copernicus DEMs at the 90 m resolution improved from 45 m to 12 m, from 16 m to 6 m, and from 24 m to 9 m for the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Carpathians, respectively. The Copernicus DEM at the 30 m resolution performed similarly well. The boosted regression trees showed that acquisition characteristics provided as auxiliary data are useful for locating problematic sites and explained 28–50% of deviance of the absolute vertical error. The absolute vertical error was strongly related to the height error map. Finally, up to 26% of cells in the Copernicus DEM were filled using DEMs from different time periods and, hence, users performing multitemporal analysis or requiring data from a specific time period in the mountain environment should be wary when using TanDEM-X and its derivations. We suggest that when filling problematic sites using alternative DEMs, more attention should be paid to the period of their collection to minimize the temporal displacement in the final products.

Applicability of Data Acquisition Characteristics to the Identification of Local Artefacts in Global Digital Elevation Models: Comparison of the Copernicus and TanDEM-X DEMs

In June 2007 and July 2010 spectroscopic measurements and chemical in-situ studies were carried out at Nyiragongo
volcano located 15 km north of the city Goma, North Kivu region (DRC), both at the crater rim and within the crater itself, next to the lava lake. Nyiragongo volcano belongs to the Virunga volcanic chain and it is associated with the Western branch of the Great Rift Valley. The volcanism at Nyiragongo is caused by the rifting of the Earth’s crust where two parts of the African plates are breaking apart. Niyragongo crater contains the biggest lava lake on Earth and it is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
The ground-based remote sensing technique MAX-DOAS (Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy)
using scattered sunlight has been applied during both field trips at the crater rim of the volcano to
measure sulphur dioxide, halogen oxides and nitrogen oxide. Additionally filter pack and spectroscopic in-situ carbon dioxide measurements were carried out, as well as SO2 flux measurements by a scanning DOAS instrument
from the NOVAC project at the flank of the volcano.
Nyiragongo is the first rift volcano where halogen oxides have been observed in the plume.
Observations indicate that the gas composition of Nyiragongo might change with a changing lava lake level in
short and long-term time scales. Before and during an overflow of the lava lake the molar ratios of BrO/SO2 were
decreasing in 2007 and 2010 from about 3.10-5 to about 0 (below the detection limit). Such a decreasing trend
was also observed before and during the eruption of Mt. Etna 2006 and 2008.
In a larger timescale between 2007 and 2010 the molar ratios of S/Cl and CO2/SO2 generally decreased from 6.7 -
16.5 to 0.7 – 2.1, from 5 -10 to 1 - 5, respectively. The lower S/Cl and CO2/SO2 could lead to the conclusion that
the magma reservoir below Niyragongo has had no new input from a deeper source.
The chemical composition as well as its temporal variability within the volcanic plume from the lava lake will be discussed, as well as its implication on the understanding of the dynamics of the plumbing system of this volcano.

/pdf/gas-emission-measurements-of-the-active-lava-lake-of-3a0yetqks2.pdf

Gas emission measurements of the active lava lake of Nyiragongo, DR Congo

Volcanic emissions are a critical pathway in Earth’s carbon cycle. Here, we show that aerial measurements of volcanic gases using unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) transform our ability to measure and monitor plumes remotely and to constrain global volatile fluxes from volcanoes. Combining multi-scale measurements from ground-based remote sensing, long-range aerial sampling, and satellites, we present comprehensive gas fluxes—3760 ± [600, 310] tons day−1 CO2 and 5150 ± [730, 340] tons day−1 SO2—for a strong yet previously uncharacterized volcanic emitter: Manam, Papua New Guinea. The CO2/ST ratio of 1.07 ± 0.06 suggests a modest slab sediment contribution to the sub-arc mantle. We find that aerial strategies reduce uncertainties associated with ground-based remote sensing of SO2 flux and enable near–real-time measurements of plume chemistry and carbon isotope composition. Our data emphasize the need to account for time averaging of temporal variability in volcanic gas emissions in global flux estimates.

/pdf/aerial-strategies-advance-volcanic-gas-measurements-at-280ktvy4kb.pdf

B. T. McCormick Kilbride

Papers

Aerial strategies advance volcanic gas measurements at inaccessible, strongly degassing volcanoes

Persistent growth of a young andesite lava cone: Bagana volcano, Papua New Guinea