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Electrical resistivity tomography study of Taal volcano hydrothermal system, Philippines

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Abstract

Taal volcano (311 m in altitude) is located in The Philippines (14°N, 121°E) and since 1572 has erupted 33 times, causing more than 2,000 casualties during the most violent eruptions. In March 2010, the shallow structures in areas where present-day surface activity takes place were investigated by DC resistivity surveys. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) lines were performed above the two identified hydrothermal areas located on the northern flank of the volcano and in the Main Crater, respectively. Due to rough topography, deep valleys, and dense vegetation, most measurements were collected using a remote method based on a laboratory-made equipment. This allowed retrieval of information down to a depth of 250 m. ERTs results detail the outlines of the two geothermal fields defined by previous self-potential, CO2 soil degassing, ground temperature, and magnetic mapping (Harada et al. Japan Acad Sci 81:261–266, 2005; Zlotnicki et al. Bull Volcanol 71:29–49, 2009a, Phys Chem Earth 34:294–408, 2009b). Hydrothermal fluids originate mainly from inside the northern part of the Main Crater at a depth greater than the bottom of the Crater Lake, and flow upward to the ground surface. Furthermore, water from the Main Crater Lake infiltrates inside the surrounding geological formations. The hydrothermal fluids, outlined by gas releases and high temperatures, cross the crater rim and interact with the northern geothermal field located outside the Main Crater.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank EMSEV Inter-Association (“ElectroMagnetic Studies of Earthquakes and Volcanoes”) supported by the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) for the invitation to work in Taal volcano. We greatly thank Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), for allowing us to use some of their hardware in the field and for the participation of PHIVOLCS personnel in the field work. Director of the Volcanological section, Mr. Jaime Sincioco, has always supported with great efficiency the EMSEV–PHIVOLCS cooperation, and Mrs. Mariton Bornas continues to support the cooperation. We express special thanks to J.P. Sabit and A. Loza-Oic for their valuable assistance during fieldwork. This experiment was supported by a 2009–2010 IUGG grant and the French Embassy in Manila. The authors would like to thank Dr. Fournier and an anonymous reviewer for their helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geophysical Laboratory, Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    I. Fikos & G. Vargemezis

  2. CNRS–UMR6524–OPGC, 24 av. des Landais, 63177, Aubière cedex, France

    J. Zlotnicki

  3. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Quezon City, Philippines

    J. R. Puertollano, P. B. Alanis, R. C. Pigtain, E. U. Villacorte & G. A. Malipot

  4. Earthquake Prediction Research Centre, Tokai University, Shizuoka, Japan

    Y. Sasai

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  1. I. Fikos
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Correspondence to I. Fikos.

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Editorial responsibility: P. Delmelle

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Fikos, I., Vargemezis, G., Zlotnicki, J. et al. Electrical resistivity tomography study of Taal volcano hydrothermal system, Philippines. Bull Volcanol 74, 1821–1831 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-012-0638-5

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