Rainfall-induced volcanic activity on Montserrat

Matthews, Adrian J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0492-1168, Barclay, Jenni ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6122-197X, Carn, Simon, Thompson, Glenn, Alexander, Jan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2830-2727, Herd, Richard and Williams, Carlisle (2002) Rainfall-induced volcanic activity on Montserrat. Geophysical Research Letters, 29 (13). 1644, 1-22. ISSN 0094-8276

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Abstract

Dome-forming volcanic eruptions cyclically extrude bodies of lava over several months, which then become gravitationally unstable and collapse, generating pyroclastic flows. On 29 July 2001 extreme rainfall over Montserrat coincided with a major collapse of the Soufriere Hills lava dome. We present rainfall and seismic records that demonstrate, for the first time, a relationship between intense rainfall and lava dome collapse, with associated pyroclastic flow generation. After seven months of little rain and a period of sustained dome growth, the onset of intense rain was followed within hours by dome collapse and pyroclastic flows. The large-scale weather system responsible for the rain was identifiable in satellite images and predicted by meteorological forecasts issued 60 hours prior to the volcanic activity. It is suggested that weather prediction of intense rainfall be incorporated with existing geophysical and geochemical measurements to improve warnings of these hazardous events.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Geosciences Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Fluids & Structures Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Numerical Simulation, Statistics & Data Science
Depositing User:	Vishal Gautam
Date Deposited:	12 Jul 2002
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2024 12:35
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/17909
DOI:	10.1029/2002GL014863

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