The aim of this project is to establish a novel collaboration in order to reconcile several research approaches in volcanology, namely geophysics in active volcanoes, and field geology in exhumed extinct volcanoes and physical modelling of magma emplacement. Dykes are the most fundamental magma pathways in volcanic plumbing systems and the main feeders of volcanic eruptions. Revealing the dynamics of dyke propagation is of outmost importance for physically sound interpretation of seismicity and geodetic signals measured at active volcanoes, which is essential for improved hazards assessment and predictability of volcanic eruptions. Two mechanisms of dyke emplacement have been identified: The dominant theory for dyke propagation is based on the Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM), whereas the viscous indenter mechanism has been identified recently.
Active volcanoes are surveyed using various geophysical methods, among others (1) seismology to track signals of rock failure in the subsurface, and (2) geodesy to track movements of volcanic surfaces as a response to subsurface magma movement or pressure changes. Currently, all geophysical and geodetic tools used to analyse and interpret geophysical signals associated with the emplacement of dykes are based on the established LEFM model. Consequently, we are not able to identify viscous indenter dykes at active volcanoes because (1) the seismological signals associated with viscous indenter dykes are unknown and (2) geodetic models are not designed and not suitable to interpret geodetic signals associated with viscous intender dykes.
This project aims to bring together geology and physics experts from the Njord center at UiO, Norway, with geophysical experts of the Volcano Geophysics Group at ISTerre, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, France, in order to identify geophysical signals monitored at active volcanoes and associated with the viscous indenter propagation model.