Geochemical signals related to the 2011–2012 El Hierro submarine eruption

Abstract

On 10 October 2011, a submarine volcanic eruption began 2 km south of the island of El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain). It was the first eruption after 40 years of quiescence in the Canarian archipelago. Since mid-July 2011, a multiparametric network has been deployed by the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (hereinafter IGN) to monitor volcanic processes. The data recorded by five stations, measuring the air and soil temperature, CO2 and radon concentration in the air inside four galleries and one well, are the focus of the present paper. Two important anomalies were found that improve comprehension of the volcanic process. First, a clear increase in CO2 concentration in one gallery (from 825 ± 19 to 2305 ± 35 ppm) which seems to be mainly controlled by ground deformation measured during the unrest period preceding the eruption. Second, a relationship between radon concentration in air in a well located in the northern side of the island with seismic energy release (several peaks with up to 115% increase), and ground deformation (50% growth in background level), also before the eruption onset. Lastly, changes in radon concentration during eruptive period seem to be modulated by seismic activity (increases up to 233%), which in turn is likely related to variations in magma rheology.