Research Objectives:
Mount Erebus, Ross Island is the most active volcano in Antarctica. It is unique in containing a persistent convecting lava lake of anorthoclase phonolite magma. Degassing of the lake and underlying magmatic system emits volcanic gases into the pristine antarctic atmosphere. Because of the excellent access and the nature of the small strombolian eruptions, Mt. Erebus has become a model volcano for volcanological studies.
This field season, project team members will continue the work over the last three field seasons when they installed five integrated geophysical/geodetic surveillance observatories and made measurements of gas emissions and continued GPS measurements to observe deformation of the volcano. Some of the objectives for this year include:
+ Maintain the six Integrated Surveillance Instrumentation (ISI) system containing a broadband seismometer, dual frequency GPS receiver, tiltmeter, a variety of environmental sensors and associated power systems (batteries, solar panels and wind generators) at a site named Ray on the crater rim of Erebus;
+ Upgrade and maintain the five existing short period seismic stations already in operation on the volcano;
+ Make campaign GPS measurements at sites on the flanks and summit of the volcano to supplement the eight existing continuous GPS units;
+ Collect volcanic rocks samples and gases and measure U-decay series isotopes in them to assemble a geochemical-isotopic-petrologic data set to evaluate the rate dependent parameters of magma genesis, evolution and degassing; and
+ Continue the annual surveillance of the volcanic activity as part of the Mt. Erebus Volcano Observatory studies.
The existing short period and broadband seismic networks will allow an understanding of the eruptive behavior and dynamics of Mt. Erebus. Inversion of the seismic data will allow topographic imaging of the magma chamber and plumbing inside the volcano.
During the austral summer months, field based observations will include measuring emission rates of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, radionuclides, trace gases and metals. These data will be used to evaluate the potential impact of gas emission from Mt. Erebus on the snow chemistry on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Investigators will also examine short term variations in the emission rates of fluorine, chlorine, sulfur dioxide, and metals to examine volatile zoning in the magma chamber supplying the lava lake. A GPS network on the flanks and summit of the volcano will be re-occupied to examine any deformation that may have occurred. The GPS network will monitor deformation associated with the on-going eruptive activity.
Another part of this project will develop and deploy integrated low-power, low-cost, real-time-telemetered volcano monitoring stations at Mt. Erebus and other active volcanoes. Many volcanoes, particularly in the developing world, have little or no modern instrumentation. The project also includes the education of graduate and undergraduate students in volcanology and geophysics, the dissemination of information to high school audiences, and the provision of year-round monitoring information to the National Science Foundation and to McMurdo Station. Finally, to convey the excitement and societal relevance of volcanology and other aspects of earth science, we expect to continue public outreach through lectures, media interaction, and inquiry response.
