Magma and fluid migration at Yellowstone Caldera in the last three decades inferred from InSAR, leveling, and gravity measurements

• DOI: 10.1002/2014jb011502
• Publication Date: 2015-02-13T06:52:48Z
• Authors: P. Tizzani; M. Battaglia; R. Castaldo; A. Pepe; G. Zeni; R. Lanari
• Keywords: Caldera; Dome (geology); Unrest; Magma chamber

Abstract We studied the Yellowstone caldera geological unrest between 1977 and 2010 by investigating temporal changes in differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), precise spirit leveling gravity measurements. The analysis of 1992–2010 displacement time series, retrieved applying SBAS InSAR technique, allowed identification three areas deformation: (i) Mallard Lake (ML) Sour Creek (SC) resurgent domes, (ii) a region close to Northern Caldera Rim (NCR), (iii) eastern Snake River Plain (SRP). While SRP shows signal related tectonic deformation, other two regions are influenced unrest. removed from displacements, we modeled InSAR, leveling, measurements retrieve best fitting source parameters. Our findings confirmed existence different distinct sources, beneath brittle‐ductile transition zone, which have been intermittently active during last decades. Moreover, interpreted our results light existing seismic tomography studies. Concerning SC dome, highlighted role hydrothermal fluids as driving force behind 1977–1983 uplift; since 1983–1993 deformation transformed into deeper one with higher magmatic component. Furthermore, support nature ML dome for overall investigated period. Finally, uplift at NCR is magma accumulation, while its subsidence could either be result migration outside or gravitational adjustment spherical sill‐like geometry.