Barry A. Walker, Jr ::::: Annotated Bibliography Geo 565Annotated Bibliography
Welcome to my Annotated Bibliography for Geo 565.
View from Aucanquilcha Volcano, looking east to Bolivia. Photo by Marko Riikonen
I have listed several papers that discuss the application of GIS to volcanic systems. Researchers in this field are starting to utilize GI Science when answering questions about eruption rates, eruption volumes, and volcanic hazards. The papers below are hopefully a sign of what is to come in regards to GIS application in volcanological research. Bukumirovic, T., Italiano, F., Nuccio, P.M., 1997, The evolution of a dynamic geological system: the support of a GIS for geochemical measurements at the fumarole field of Vulcano, Italy, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 79, pp. 253-263
Ferrari, L., 2003, Volcanic episodes in the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt; implications for subduction dynamics, Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, April 2003, Vol. 35, Issue 4, pp. 57
Lees, J., 1999,Geotouch: Software for three and four dimensional GIS in the Earth Sciences, Computers & Geosciences 26 (7) 751-761. To the article
Cimarelli, C., De Rita, D., 2006,Structural evolution of the Pleistocene Cimini trachytic volcanic complex (Central Italy), Bulletin of Volcanology 68: 538-548
This paper focuses on active fumarole fields at Vulcano, Italy. The authors conducted a long-term survey monitoring the volume of steam output and the exhaling surface area (the area which is spitting steam). With the aid of Arc/Info, the authors were able to relate the composition and temperature of released steam to the mass output and the topography of the crater field. More specifically, the fumarole field grew in area from 50 m2 to 2400 m2 from 1983 to 1995. During this time, steam output increased from ~150 to 1400 tons per day. Volcanic unrest also began during this study, suggesting a close relationship between deep processes and features on the volcanic edifice. This paper is an early example of the application of GIS to active volcano monitoring.
The authors examined the Ceboruco-San Pedro volcanic field in western Mexico, and use the 40Ar/39Ar dating method combined with GIS to calculate eruptive volumes. They explain that many studies have included eruption volume calculations, but many times these figures can have substantial error (up to 100%) resulting from assumptions concerning the basal structure of volcanoes. Most calculations involve assume a flat base for a volcanic edifice, while most real volcanoes are built on undulatory surfaces. Using topographic maps, orthoimagery, and DEMs in ArcView 3.2, the authors were able to more realistically determine the shape of the base of the volcano, thus resulting in a more accurate estimation of eruption volumes. As for the non-GIS related aspects of the paper: the geochemical and petrological data suggest the lavas from this volcanic field were not generated by simple fractional crystallization of a parental magma, but instead represent different magma batches that probably ascended through the crust separately. This is in agreement with other data from the Cordilleran arc.
This paper is part of the GEOWARN project. The authors present an model for integrating many datasets from an volcanic field (through time) into a GIS. The two volcanic fields used for this study are the Kos–Yali–Nisyros–Tilos volcanic field in Greece and the Campi Flegrei volcanic field in Italy. The goal of the researchers is to monitor dormant volcanoes and establish a system, using GIS, to evaluate potential unrest. They suggest a framework in which to organize various volcanologic data (including topography to gravity to thermal to geochemistry, etc.). The authors show a few applications of the GIS software in analyzing this database, and suggest methods of data treatment. This is a good resource with tips on the organization of data in a GIS.
The author presents the first GIS-based geologic map of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). The geology is presented along with 2200 geochemical data points and 1000 age data points. A spatial analysis incorporating chemistry and age data reveals a complex history of the TMVB from 17 Ma to present. From 17 to 10 Ma, the subducting plate was flat to slightly dipping, resulting in a broad zone of volcanism throughout central Mexico. From 11 to 6 Ma, volcanism moved from west to east, presumably corresponding with slab detachment and the halting of subduction off Baja California. From 7.5 to 3.5 Ma, silicic calderas and domes formed, followed by mafic lavas and calc-alkaline lavas which typify subduction zones. This phase is thought to represent the recommencement of subduction after its brief hiatus. The broadening of the arc from 3.5 Ma to present is thought to represent trench rollback and the rejuvenation of the mantle wedge by new asthenosphere.
Digital elevation models and GIS software (ArcGIS) are used to reconstruct a Mexican stratovolcano, Volcan Tancítaro, that underwent prehistoric sector collapse. Volcan Tancítaro does not have the typical stratovolcano conical shape due to said sector collapse and subsequent erosion. Volume estimates by previous researchers suggested that V. Tancítaro has a volume of 49 km3, but DEM analysis with a GIS suggests a volume of 97 km3. Two debris avalanche flows were also analyzed and their areas were calculated. By estimating the area of the total erupted volume and avalanche flows, the height of V. Tancítaro prior to sector collapse was estimated. Combining this geospatial data with the 40Ar/39Ar dating technique allows for the reconstruction of the V. Tancítaro eruption history. From the data, the authors suggest a history with two relatively recent sector collapse events (rather than the previously suggested one). The first occurred sometime between 690-570 ka and produced a ~3 km3 debris avalanche and lahar deposit which spread over a 567 km2 area west of the volcano. The second occurred between 260 -240 ka and resulted in a 3 km wide scar on the eastern flank of the volcano and resulted in a 3.6-7 km3 debris avalanche flow that covered ~654 km2. This paper demonstrates the increasing utility of GIS in solving volcanological problems such as edifice reconstruction and eruption volume estimate.
The author presents new open source GIS software called Geotouch, designed for data analysis in 3D and 4D. Geotouch uses point, vector, raster, and wireframe datasets, along with more specialized data structures. Originally designed for use with earthquake monitoring, Lees outlines Geotouch’s utility in other fields ares as Volcanology gravity studies. The software can create cross sections at arbitrary angles, spin objects in 3D, and create time sequenced animations utilizing collected data. Geotouch offers a manageable approach to exploratory analysis using three and four dimensional data. Unlike ESRI software, Geotouch is free and purportedly easy to use. Geotouch was written in X-windows for Unix operating systems, and works with Linux systems as well.
The authors employ a suite of spatial analysis tools to examine Cimini volcanic dome complex (CDC) in central Italy. The CDC magmas are interpreted to have intruded a sedimentary package along a major contact, warping up the overlying sediment in laccolith fashion. Eruptions came as a series of lava domes, lavas, and ignimbrite flows. To test the hypothesis of sediment upwarping, they took seismic and bore hole data and produced maps of the tops of the sedimentary country rock. Their methods were not spelled out, but I’m assuming they constructed a TIN. These maps confirmed that the sedimentary layers were warped up. They then analyzed the fracture patterns in the sedimentary sequence and conclude that there is a radial shape, eminating from Mr. Cimini (at the center of the CDC). This is further evidence for up-warping of the sedimentary strata (though the fracture trends could be interpreted differently--it appears plausible that there are simply two sets of ~perpendicular fractures). The authors then analyze the shape and slopes of the lava domes. They concluded that the domes closest to Cimini are the most circular and least eccentric in shape (though the map they provide doesn’t appear to correspond to this interpretation). Regardless, they use these data to interpret the history of the CDC (already stated). This paper provided interesting examples of what kinds of data to use to examine volcanism.
The authors investigate ~300 satellite basaltic vents surrounding the Newberry Volcano in central Oregon. Newberry Volcano is situated at the convergence of three different fault systems. These systems include the Brothers Fault Zone (with an azimuth orientation of 310-325), the Tumalo Fault Zone (330-340), and the Walker Rim faults (45-50).Their hypothesis was that vent distribution is structurally controlled by one of these fault systems. They tested this hypothesis by performing spatial analysis on a GIS comparing the fault orientations to vent alignments. Vent alignment was determined by analyzing the distribution of vents for randomness and spatial anisotropy using a quadrat analysis and comparative-distribution analysis through Monte Carlo simulations. Their spatial analysis suggests vent alignments in the southern Newberry area are oriented 10-15, 30-35, 325-330, 355, and 85, 310, 345 in the northern area. Comparison to faulting indicates the Brothers Fault Zone and the Tumalo Fault zone display structural control on many vents. There are also unexplained alignments, however, suggesting some additional structural control.
The authors examined the Tequila volcanic field in the western Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and applied a GIS in conjunction with 40Ar/39Ar chronology to constrain age, rates and volumes of eruptions, as well as lava type proportions. The Tequila volcanic field includes the main edifice, V. Tequila, along with many domes, lava flows, and scoria cones. It has an eruptive history of about one million years. Dominant bimodal volcanism of rhyolites and high-Ti basalt gave way to punctuated andesitic volcanism at about 200 ka. A total of ~128 km3 of lava has erupted over one million years, yielding an average eruption rate of 0.13 km3/yr. (As may be obvious, this does not represent an accurate average, due to lapses in volcanic activity). Lava proportions were determined by analyzing a DEM in ArcGIS 8.1. Bases of lava flows were assumed to be flat, and thicknesses were averaged based on field observations. Through this analysis, volumes for flows and for the edifices were calculated. Lava proportions are: ~20-40% basalts; ~30-50% andesites; 2-3% dacites; and 20-40% rhyolites. The eruptive sequence and the geochemical diversity suggest that the more silicic magmas are not the result of differentiation in a large magma chamber. Instead, it is suggested that the rhyolites are the result of partial melting of crustal rocks by basaltic magma emplacement.
This website is an amazing resource. It is an online database of age, geochemical, and isotope data for igneous rocks of western North America. The website specifically catalogues igneous rocks from the western US since the late Cretaceous period. The western US has experience fairly continuous magmatism since then, and so provides excellent research opportunity for any igneous and tectonics related field. This website uses a GIS to pool data and allows users to plot sample locations on a map and view space-time animations of many different varieties. The site allows one to search based on several different criteria including chemistry, age, location, sample characteristics, keyword, etc. There are even subdivisions within the fields just named. The database has been active since 2002 and has amassed data for almost 45,000 samples. It is an incredible resource for anyone interested in igneous systems.
