Volcanic Seismicity

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Volcano seismology is the study of earthquakes of volcanic origin as well as of velocity structure , attenuation, and other physical properties of the Earth materials that affect the passage of seismic waves at volcanoes. Volcanic earthquakes may be defined as earthquakes that occur at or near volcanoes, generally within 15 km, or that are related to volcanic processes. Volcanoes are places where heat and mobile fluids are concentrated, so the number of earthquakes per unit time is high when compared with normal crust. Most volcanic earthquakes take place at shallower depths (1–9 km) than tectonic earthquakes on typical faults (generally to depths of about 15 km in the crust; as deep as 700 km in subduction zones). Volcanic events also differ in their patterns of occurrence: they often occur in swarms, which are groups of many small events with similar magnitudes and locations. This is in contrast to the typical mainshock–aftershock sequences characteristic of tectonic earthquakes. Volcanoes produce different types of earthquakes that are thought to represent different physical processes.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Volcanoes (1supst/sup Ed.)
StatePublished - Jan 1 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Earthquake swarm
  • Explosion quake
  • High-frequency earthquake
  • Low-frequency earthquake
  • Very-long-period event
  • Volcanic tremor

Disciplines

  • Earth Sciences

Cite this