Volcano-seismic trigger for 1987 debris flow disputed
The following is from Alfredo Eisenberg and M. Pardo. "González-Ferrán (13:6) attributed the 29 November 1987 debris flow to an increase in local shallow volcano-seismic activity that he said can be observed on our seismograms of 28, 29, and 30 November. The seismic network in central Chile did not record any activity of this kind during those days, nor the previous ones. It is also important to note that only one station is located within 40 km of Tupungatito volcano's main crater (figure 3 and table 1). Stations on the Argentine side of the Andes did not register any volcano-seismic activity either. We did record the debris fall, however, at 1033 on 29 November, with an equivalent local magnitude of 4.5. This event, as far as we can see from the records, was not preceded by a triggering earthquake."
Date | Time | Latitude | Longitude | Depth (km) | Magnitude (mt) |
27 Nov 1987 | 1038 | 33°31'S | 72°14'W | 50 | 4.3 |
27 Nov 1987 | 1130 | 33°07'S | 71°39'W | 18 | 4.1 |
28 Nov 1987 | 0916 | 33°44'S | 72°32'W | 10 | 4.1 |
28 Nov 1987 | 2153 | 33°18'S | 70°30'W | 75 | 3.7 |
29 Nov 1987 | 0214 | 34°12'S | 70°14'W | 00 | 3.7 |
29 Nov 1987 | 0332 | 33°53'S | 72°02'W | 20 | 4.5 |
29 Nov 1987 | 0807 | 33°06'S | 71°53'W | 27 | 4.4 |
30 Nov 1987 | 0010 | 32°43'S | 71°24'W | 5 | 4.0 |
30 Nov 1987 | 0637 | 33°18'S | 71°34'W | 23 | 4.2 |
30 Nov 1987 | 1055 | 34°53'S | 70°46'W | 109 | 4.3 |
30 Nov 1987 | 1325 | 32°00'S | 71°30'W | 28 | 4.1 |
30 Nov 1987 | 1510 | 32°12'S | 71°42'W | 28 | 4.1 |
Information Contacts: A. Eisenberg and M. Pardo, Univ of Chile.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Tupungatito.
Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.
Ash eruption and seismicity
A series of subterranean noises at 0623 on 10 January was followed by an explosion that ejected a 1,500-m-high cloud of gas and ash from Tupungatito's SW crater. The next day, Oscar González-Ferrán and Sergio Barrientos flew over the volcano, observing that ash covered the snow NE of the vent and that the eruption was continuing, but with decreased intensity.
The Seismologic Service of the Geophysics Department, University of Chile, recorded considerable seismic activity near Tupungatito. The principal earthquake, at 1851 on 14 January, was a shallow event with an epicenter calculated at 33.2°S, 69°W, 78 km NE of the volcano. It was felt at intensity 3 in Santiago, about 150 km from the calculated epicenter. In the next 2 hours, 17 similar events were recorded, of which three were located with the same epicenter. Between 2100 on 14 January and 0100 on 16 January, 13 more local events were recorded, one of which was fairly large. As of 18 January, both seismic and eruptive activity had diminished. Tupungatito's last eruption, in 1964, consisted of explosions from the central crater.
Information Contacts: O. González-Ferrán, Univ. de Chile, Santiago.
Increased summit thermal activity, small ash eruption in January 1986; 50-km-long lahar kills 41 people
"Reactivation of one of the NW craters with a weak emission of black ash occurred 20 January 1986 at 1030 (figure 1). The activity was observed by the pilot of a Chilean Air Force C-130 and reported directly by radio-telephone to the author. The volcano had been under observation since the last pyroclastic eruption occurred 10 January 1980. After the M 7.8 earthquake that affected the Santiago region on 3 March 1985, vertical aerial photographic coverage was carried out at a scale of 1:20,000 on 25 March 1985. No increased activity was observed within the caldera, which has a diameter of ~5 km and is covered with ice and snow. Glaciers descend from it toward the W. The group of cones and craters with historic activity, in the extreme NW of the caldera, have only a thin covering of snow. Observations on 24 November 1987 show ice partially covered by 20 January 1986 ash, and intense solfataric activity in the same crater (figure 1).
Figure 1. Sketch map by O. González-Ferrán of the summit area of Tupungatito, labeling craters active in recent eruptions and the location of vigorous solfataric activity on 24 November 1987. |
"On 4 December, new aerial photographic coverage of the Tupungatito volcanic region was taken by the Air Force Aerophotogrammetric Service at the request of the author and the National Emergency Office.
Analysis of the airphotos revealed a notable increase in snowmelt inside Tupungatito's active craters and an important increase in fumarolic activity without showing a direct relation with the 29 November lahar.
"The volcano remains under observation. If it produced an eruptive reactivation of some magnitude it could: affect the glacier covering the caldera; cause lahars larger than the one that occurred 29 November; and seriously damage the S sector of Santiago, Chile and Mendoza, Argentina."
Event in the Estero del Parraguirre. "On 29 November 1987, because of a regional (summer) thaw and the instability of mountains affected by the 1985 earthquake, an avalanche was generated in a small valley (Quebrada de Parraguirre) in the volcanic area. The avalanche caused a mudflow that descended the Río Colorado, killing 41 persons, destroying roads, machinery, and the Los Maitenes hydroelectric plant along some 50 km until its confluence with the Río Maipó, which passes through the city of Santiago. Also affected were the city's drinking water installations, and some 500,000 persons were left without water for 48 hours."
Information Contacts: O. González-Ferrán, Univ de Chile.
Fatal 29 November debris flow not related to volcanism
The event started as a rockfall of ~3-4 x 106 m3 of lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks and gypsum on the eastern slope of the Estero (stream) del Parraguirre, 20 km NW of Tupungatito and separated from it by at least four high ridges of Mesozoic rocks (figure 1). The rockfall mass developed into a mudflow after reaching the bottom of the stream valley and moved into the Río Colorado, causing casualties and destroying roads, bridges, camps, and the Los Maitenes hydroelectric power plant. Geologists noted that the rockfall appeared to have been triggered by a combination of geologic and hydrologic factors: steep walls, highly fractured rocks, water influx, and the presence of gypsum and other salts.
Information Contacts: L.Velasco Villegas, Compañía Chilena de Generación Eléctrica, Santiago; A. Yung, SERNAGEOMIN, Santiago; H. Moreno, Univ de Chile.
Volcanic seismicity may have triggered November debris flow
O. González-Ferrán presented additional information about the cause and dynamics of the 29 November 1987 debris flow.
"Tupungatito volcano has been increasing its thermal activity since January 1986 and on 28, 29, and 30 November 1987 registered an increase in local shallow seismic activity. Seismographs of the Chilean and Argentine nets registered some B-type shocks. The seismicity caused 15 rockfalls of different magnitudes within 5-20 km of the historically active craters . . . (N and NW of the ice-filled summit caldera) during that period (figure 2).
"One of the shocks occurred at 103340 on the 29th, causing one of the rockfalls, which reached a volume of 17.25 x 106 m3 in the headwaters of the Estero Parraguirre, 17 km from the active crater and the epicentral zone of the seismic activity.
"A mass of sedimentary rocks from the headwaters of the Estero Parraguirre free-fell 1100 m onto the terminal front of a glacier, impacting it with a velocity of ~300 km/hour. Incorporated in the impact was 1.2 x 106 m3 of ice, as well as 11 x 106 m3 of snow along the Estero.
"This generated the avalanche debris flow that discharged into the Río Colorado, temporarily obstructing the flow of the Colorado's waters. Finally, the debris flow reached the Central Hidroeléctrica de Maitenes at 1114 with a velocity of 50-60 km/hour, causing the death of 41 persons and millions of dollars in losses to buildings and machinery along its path. In addition, by damaging the Las Vizcachas plant, it affected the supply of drinking water to nine communes of the city of Santiago (population 4.5 million) for 24 hours.
"The high instability and strong fracturing of the nearly vertical strata of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in this mountainous region of the Tupungatito area, along with the supersaturation and water pressure generated by snowmelt and the abnormal seasonal temperature increase, facilitated rockfalls and avalanches as a consequence of the local volcano-seismic activity of Tupungatito."
Information Contacts: O. Gonzalez-Ferrán, Univ de Chile; J. Castrano, Instituto Nacional de Prevención Sísmica, San Juan, Argentina; S. Kunstmann, Empresa Nacional de Electricidad, Santiago; G. Ugarte, Pontificia Univ Católica de Chile, Santiago.
Volcano-seismic trigger for 1987 debris flow disputed
The following is from Alfredo Eisenberg and M. Pardo. "González-Ferrán (13:6) attributed the 29 November 1987 debris flow to an increase in local shallow volcano-seismic activity that he said can be observed on our seismograms of 28, 29, and 30 November. The seismic network in central Chile did not record any activity of this kind during those days, nor the previous ones. It is also important to note that only one station is located within 40 km of Tupungatito volcano's main crater (figure 3 and table 1). Stations on the Argentine side of the Andes did not register any volcano-seismic activity either. We did record the debris fall, however, at 1033 on 29 November, with an equivalent local magnitude of 4.5. This event, as far as we can see from the records, was not preceded by a triggering earthquake."
Date | Time | Latitude | Longitude | Depth (km) | Magnitude (mt) |
27 Nov 1987 | 1038 | 33°31'S | 72°14'W | 50 | 4.3 |
27 Nov 1987 | 1130 | 33°07'S | 71°39'W | 18 | 4.1 |
28 Nov 1987 | 0916 | 33°44'S | 72°32'W | 10 | 4.1 |
28 Nov 1987 | 2153 | 33°18'S | 70°30'W | 75 | 3.7 |
29 Nov 1987 | 0214 | 34°12'S | 70°14'W | 00 | 3.7 |
29 Nov 1987 | 0332 | 33°53'S | 72°02'W | 20 | 4.5 |
29 Nov 1987 | 0807 | 33°06'S | 71°53'W | 27 | 4.4 |
30 Nov 1987 | 0010 | 32°43'S | 71°24'W | 5 | 4.0 |
30 Nov 1987 | 0637 | 33°18'S | 71°34'W | 23 | 4.2 |
30 Nov 1987 | 1055 | 34°53'S | 70°46'W | 109 | 4.3 |
30 Nov 1987 | 1325 | 32°00'S | 71°30'W | 28 | 4.1 |
30 Nov 1987 | 1510 | 32°12'S | 71°42'W | 28 | 4.1 |
Information Contacts: A. Eisenberg and M. Pardo, Univ of Chile.
This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.
Synonyms |
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Bravard | ||||
Cones |
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Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
Sin Nombre, Nevado | Stratovolcano | 6000 m |
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There is data available for 18 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.
1987 Nov 28 - 1987 Nov 30 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1987 Nov 28 - 1987 Nov 30 | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1986 Jan 20 - 1986 Jan 20 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1
Episode 1 | Eruption | NW craters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1986 Jan 20 - 1986 Jan 20 | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at NW craters
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1980 Jan 10 - 1980 Jan 11 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | SW crater | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1980 Jan 10 - 1980 Jan 11 | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at SW crater
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1968 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1968 Jul 2 ± 182 days - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1964 Aug 3 - 1964 Sep 19 (in or after) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1964 Aug 3 - 1964 Sep 19 (in or after) | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1961 May 5 ± 4 days - 1961 Aug 16 (in or after) ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961 May 5 ± 4 days - 1961 Aug 16 (in or after) ± 15 days | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1960 Jul 15 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1960 Jul 15 ± 5 days - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1959 Oct 16 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1959 Oct 16 - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1959 Mar 26 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1959 Mar 26 ± 5 days - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 3 Events for Episode 1
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1958 Jan 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1958 Jan 16 ± 15 days - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||
List of 1 Events for Episode 1
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1946 - 1947 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1946 - 1947 | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1925 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1925 - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1907 Feb 15 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1907 Feb 15 - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1901 Apr Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1901 Apr - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1897 Jan - 1897 Apr 12 (in or after) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1897 Jan - 1897 Apr 12 (in or after) | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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1889 - 1890 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1889 - 1890 | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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[ 1881 ] Uncertain Eruption
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||
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1881 - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown |
1861 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1861 - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||
List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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[ 1835 ] Uncertain Eruption
Episode 1 | Eruption | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1835 - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 3 Events for Episode 1
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1829 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
Episode 1 | Eruption | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1829 - Unknown | Evidence from Observations: Reported | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of 3 Events for Episode 1
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There is no Deformation History data available for Tupungatito.
There is no Emissions History data available for Tupungatito.
Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.
The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included.
There are no samples for Tupungatito in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.
Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
IRIS seismic stations/networks | Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Tupungatito. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations | Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Tupungatito. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player. |
DECADE Data | The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO2 to the atmosphere, but installing CO2 monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere. |
Large Eruptions of Tupungatito | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |