Seismic insight into explosive paroxysms at Stromboli volcano, Italy

At Stromboli volcano, Italy, continuous seismic monitoring and periodic, visual observations of volcanic activity for surveillance purposes began in the mid-1980s. Since 1985, two eruptions have occurred, one lasting from December, 1985 until April, 1986, and one in May, 1993. There have also been two small overflows, in 1990 and 1994. Since these episodes of lava effusion, the persistent Strombolian activity of the volcano has had several fluctuations during the past 15 years. Some episodes climaxed in powerful explosions. According to seismic records, these paroxysms consisted of a variable number of explosion quakes in rapid succession (i.e. from tens of seconds to a few minutes), associated with a notable increment in the amplitude of volcanic tremor. Throughout these episodes – which are called explosive sequences – lapilli, fragments of old rock, and bombs of varying dimensions were ejected, affecting an area greater than the crater terrace where the active craters are located. In this article, we describe the explosive sequences recorded at Stromboli between 1985 and 1999. We provide a characterization in terms of reduced displacement and duration for nine episodes occurring in 1998 and 1999. Their reduced displacements range from 15 to 124 cm2; their durations are between 6 and 18 min. We find no change in the frequency content of the seismic signal several minutes before and during the sequences. Considering medium- to long-term behavior, the spectral amplitude of the seismic signal decreases or has low values over several months preceding the occurrence of the paroxysms. This feature is common to 20 of the 22 explosive sequences, and is indicative of internal conditions that periodically characterize the feeder. We surmise that the paroxysms are the result of the partial obstruction of the volcanic conduit when the magma column is low or dropping. The onset of the explosive sequence, causing the sudden removal of the material which forms the obstruction, would trigger a sudden depressurization of the conduit and the rapid rise of magma from depth.