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Rapid FTIR sensing of volcanic gases released by Strombolian explosions at Yasur volcano, Vanuatu

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Abstract

We report here the results of a field campaign in which a portable Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer was used to measure gas emissions from Yasur volcano, Vanuatu, in January 2005. By collecting FTIR spectra at a high rate (about 1 Hz), we were able to observe a marked difference in the proportions of SO2 and HCl in emissions released during Strombolian eruptions (SO2/HCl molar ratio up to ∼30 or more) compared with the intervening passive emissions discharged from the magmatic vent (SO2/HCl ∼2). This contrast can be explained by sourcing gas at different depths with respect to levels at which SO2 and HCl exsolve from the melt: deeper volatile exsolution supplies relatively SO2-rich gas responsible for the ephemeral explosions at the top of the conduit; while degassing of shallow magma, depleted in sulfur but rich in chlorine, contributes to the passive emission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Downing Place, Cambridge, CB2 3EN, UK

    C. Oppenheimer & G.M. Sawyer

  2. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR Magmas et Volcans, BP A5 98848, Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia, France

    P. Bani

  3. Laboratoire des Géosciences et Physique de la matière condensée, Université de la Nouvelle Calédonie, BP 4477, Nouméa, New Caledonia, France

    P. Bani

  4. Department of Earth and Environmental Science, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM, 87801, USA

    J.A. Calkins

  5. Sezione di Catania, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Piazza Roma, 2, 95125, Catania, Italy

    M.R. Burton

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  1. C. Oppenheimer
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  3. J.A. Calkins
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  4. M.R. Burton
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Correspondence to C. Oppenheimer.

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PACS

07.57.Ty; 91.40.Vg; 91.40.Yt; 91.40.Zz

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Oppenheimer, C., Bani, P., Calkins, J. et al. Rapid FTIR sensing of volcanic gases released by Strombolian explosions at Yasur volcano, Vanuatu. Appl. Phys. B 85, 453–460 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2353-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2353-4

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