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Relatively short-term correlation among deformation, degassing, and seismicity: a case study from Concepción volcano, Nicaragua

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Abstract

Concepción is a frequently active composite volcano in Nicaragua, and is located on Ometepe Island, within Lake Nicaragua. Significant eruptive activity took place at this volcano between March and May 2010, consisting of ash and gas explosions (VEI 1–2). We compare geodetic baseline changes observed with global positioning system (GPS), sulfur dioxide flux (SO2), and seismic amplitude (SAM) data collected at Concepción during April – June, 2010, and February – April, 2011. Time series analysis reveals a remarkable correlation among the data sets during 2010, when the volcano was erupting. In contrast, the volcano was at its background level of activity in 2011 and the statistical correlation among the time series is not significant for this period. We explain the emergence of correlation among the time series during eruptive activity through modeling of the GPS data with emplacement of a magma column in an open conduit. In the model, magma rose in the conduit, between May 5 and 14, 2010, from a shallow reservoir located at ∼ 1.8 km depth. Later, between May 24 and 31, 2010, the top of the magma column descended to almost 600 m depth, corresponding to the cessation of eruptive activity. Thus, cross-correlation and an integrated analysis of these geophysical time series on a timescale of days helps to reveal the dynamics of the magma plumbing system operating below Concepción volcano.

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Acknowledgments

Research of J. A. Saballos was provided by the Geology Department and the Institute for the Study of the Latin America and the Caribbean of the University of South Florida. Research of V. Conde has been provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). We also want to acknowledge the Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales for providing the SAM data and logistic support. UNAVCO provided GPS equipment for several campaigns. The authors thank Sarah Kruse, Diana Roman, Tim Dixon, Paul Wetmore, and Peter La Femina, who all provided valuable guidance during the project. We are grateful for thorough reviews by two anonymous reviewers, which greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales, Apdo. postal 2110, Managua, Nicaragua

    José Armando Saballos, Julio Álvarez & Angélica Muñoz

  2. Chalmers University of Technology, Earth and Space Sciences, SE-412 96, Göteborg, Sweden

    Vladimir Conde

  3. School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    Rocco Malservisi & Charles B. Connor

Authors
  1. José Armando Saballos
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  2. Vladimir Conde
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  3. Rocco Malservisi
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  4. Charles B. Connor
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  5. Julio Álvarez
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  6. Angélica Muñoz
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Correspondence to José Armando Saballos.

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Editorial responsibility: S. De la Cruz-Reyna

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Saballos, J.A., Conde, V., Malservisi, R. et al. Relatively short-term correlation among deformation, degassing, and seismicity: a case study from Concepción volcano, Nicaragua. Bull Volcanol 76, 843 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-014-0843-5

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