Solid Earth Physics Laboratory (Seismology & volcanology)

Understanding physical mechanisms of volcanic eruptions based on data analyses of volcano deformation

Subsurface magma movement generates pressure perturbation of magma ascending system including volcanic conduit and magma chamber, which results in observable surface deformation. Therefore, measurement of volcano deformation is a key to understanding the physical mechanism of volcanic eruptions since volcano deformation provides semi-direct information of subsurface pressure change which reflects magma movement. Information of subsurface pressure sources is estimated by combining data processing of the measured deformation and analytical and/or numerical modeling based on the theory of elasticity.
Currently I’m focusing on Stromboli volcano, Italy, which is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. Eruptive activity of Stromboli is characterized by intermittent small explosions called ‘Strombolian eruptions’, which is occasionally interrupted by larger eruptions such as flank lava effusions and violent paroxysmal explosions. As my PhD project, I’m working on data analyses of tiltmeters and seismometers at Stromboli to investigate physical mechanisms of the diverse eruptive styles and their activity branching.