Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network Configuration

Abstract Volcano GPS networks can capture vital information during volcanic unrest to aid with hazard assessment and eruption forecasting, but can be hindered by their discrete point locations and possibly miss key spatial information. We show how numerical models can reveal controls on spatial defo...

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Main Authors: J. Hickey, K. Pascal, R. Syers, R. Alshembari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-06-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL108812
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author J. Hickey
K. Pascal
R. Syers
R. Alshembari
author_facet J. Hickey
K. Pascal
R. Syers
R. Alshembari
author_sort J. Hickey
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Volcano GPS networks can capture vital information during volcanic unrest to aid with hazard assessment and eruption forecasting, but can be hindered by their discrete point locations and possibly miss key spatial information. We show how numerical models can reveal controls on spatial deformation signal intensity compared against GPS network design. Using the GPS network at Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat, and a range of models, we explore expected surface deformation patterns. Peak horizontal deformation is located offshore, highlighting the difficulties with geodetic monitoring on small ocean‐island volcanoes. Onshore areas where the deformation signal is expected to be high are also identified. At SHV, topography plays a greater role in altering the relative distribution of surface displacement patterns than subsurface heterogeneity. Our method, which can be adapted for other volcanoes, highlights spatial areas that can be targeted for effective GPS station placement to help improve deformation monitoring efficiency.
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institution OA Journals
issn 0094-8276
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publishDate 2024-06-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-18a00331fd32417fa4c261b7b60e85942025-08-20T01:52:06ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072024-06-015112n/an/a10.1029/2024GL108812Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network ConfigurationJ. Hickey0K. Pascal1R. Syers2R. Alshembari3Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UKMontserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Flemmings MontserratMontserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Flemmings MontserratDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UKAbstract Volcano GPS networks can capture vital information during volcanic unrest to aid with hazard assessment and eruption forecasting, but can be hindered by their discrete point locations and possibly miss key spatial information. We show how numerical models can reveal controls on spatial deformation signal intensity compared against GPS network design. Using the GPS network at Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat, and a range of models, we explore expected surface deformation patterns. Peak horizontal deformation is located offshore, highlighting the difficulties with geodetic monitoring on small ocean‐island volcanoes. Onshore areas where the deformation signal is expected to be high are also identified. At SHV, topography plays a greater role in altering the relative distribution of surface displacement patterns than subsurface heterogeneity. Our method, which can be adapted for other volcanoes, highlights spatial areas that can be targeted for effective GPS station placement to help improve deformation monitoring efficiency.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL108812volcano deformationnumerical modelingGPS
spellingShingle J. Hickey
K. Pascal
R. Syers
R. Alshembari
Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network Configuration
Geophysical Research Letters
volcano deformation
numerical modeling
GPS
title Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network Configuration
title_full Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network Configuration
title_fullStr Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network Configuration
title_full_unstemmed Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network Configuration
title_short Topographical Effects on Volcano Deformation Signal Intensity: Implications for GPS Network Configuration
title_sort topographical effects on volcano deformation signal intensity implications for gps network configuration
topic volcano deformation
numerical modeling
GPS
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL108812
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AT kpascal topographicaleffectsonvolcanodeformationsignalintensityimplicationsforgpsnetworkconfiguration
AT rsyers topographicaleffectsonvolcanodeformationsignalintensityimplicationsforgpsnetworkconfiguration
AT ralshembari topographicaleffectsonvolcanodeformationsignalintensityimplicationsforgpsnetworkconfiguration