Radiographic visualization of magma dynamics in an erupting volcano

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4381
• Publication Date: 2014-03-10T13:40:59Z
• Authors: Hiroyuki K. M. Ta...; Taro Kusagaya; Hiroshi Shinohara
• Keywords: Electrical conduit; Magma chamber; Volcanology

Radiographic imaging of magma dynamics in a volcanic conduit provides detailed information about ascent and descent magma, the flow rate, diameter inflation deflation due to volatile expansion release. Here we report first radiographic observation along utilizing atmospheric (cosmic ray) muons (muography) with dynamic imaging. Time sequential images show that top column ascends right beneath crater floor through which eruption was observed. In addition visualization this inflation, sequence descending. We further propose monitoring temporal variations gas volume fraction as well its position can be used support existing prediction procedures.