Monitoring magma rheology-seismicity feedbacks during volcanic eruptions

Volcanic eruptions are associated with a range of geophysical signals, including ground deformation and seismicity (Bean et al., 2014; Chouet and Matoza, 2013; Gottsmann et al., 2011). These signals are triggered by the stress exerted from magma and volatiles forcing their way through the volcanic edifice. The type of signals varies widely and as a consequence, the origin of the signals remains enigmatic. Furthermore, in the course an eruption, the signals vary in time, which reflect the evolution of the rheological state of magma that degasses, crystallises and shears during ascent in volcanic conduits (Papale, 1999); Yet, the links between seismicity and rheology elude us.

The rheology of magma has been the subject of extensive studies but key questions remain to complete the full description of magma during ascent in a conduit (Lavallée et al., 2007). Importantly, the concept of the glass transition has been invoked to distinguish between the ductile regime in which magma flows and the brittle regime, which result in the rupture of magma (Dingwell, 1996; Lavallée et al., 2008). The brittle regime has commonly been ascribed to explain seismicity associated with magma ascent, but other sources of ductile behaviour have also been alluded to, although not tested.
Project Summary:
Here, we propose an exciting new project aiming to combine laboratory testing, geophysical monitoring and analysis of volcano seismicity to study the links between seismicity and the state of magma during ascent and eruption.

The study will focus on different volcanic systems such as Mount Etna (Italy), Volcán de Colima (Mexico), for which we have a basic understanding of the magma rheology and geophysical data to develop our model. In the laboratory, targeted experiments will be conducted using novel experimental facility in the laboratory at the University of Liverpool. These will aim to widen the range of pressure-temperature-strain rate conditions in our models.

In addition, a monitoring campaign will be undertaken to describe the signals of volcanic activity at a volcanoes (to be determined), which will exhibit volcanic activity at the time of the project. This proximal investigation (e.g., Bean et al., 2014) will be used to increase the clarity of proximal signals related to magma ascent.

The successful candidate will enjoy working in a dynamic, international research team aiming to understand the link between rheology and seismicity. The student will travel abroad for fieldwork, to attend conferences, and for collaboration with project partners; in particular the candidate will be invited to work with Paolo Papale (INGV-Pisa), alongside volcanologists, geophysicists and modellers, at INGV in Pisa, Italy. There, geophysical models will be refined and tested against the combined laboratory-field datasets to improve models, will gaining experience in a volcano monitoring environment.

We encourage applications from students holding a first-class degree in Geology or Geophysics, with aptitudes in computation (a knowledge of MatLab and or Python would be advantageous) and a keen interest in learning to employ laboratory and field techniques. This multidisciplinary work will provide the selected candidate with a strong and varied set of skills to undertake a wide range of frontier research following their doctoral study.