Gravity Studies at Cerro Machín Volcano, Colombia

Abstract

A gravimetric study was performed at the Cerro Machin volcano (4° 29’ N, 75° 22’ W), Tolima Department, Colombia, to obtain a density distribution of the volcanic edifice and its basement. This study was divided into three main sections. The first section consisted of gravimetric measurements on the volcano, which were performed with a Scintrex Autograv CG-5 gravimeter. In the second section, a complete Bouguer anomaly was obtained by applying gravimetric corrections to the field data, such as instrumental drift, latitude, free-air, Bouguer, and topographic corrections. For the third section, we used the GM-SYS extension of Oasis Montaj to obtain a forward model of the subsurface density distribution that allowed us to explain the source of the gravimetric anomaly. As the main results for this study, we determined that the field-obtained Bouguer anomaly ranged between -87 mGal and -29 mGal in the study area. The Oasis Montaj density model allowed us to infer an elongated dacitic complex at the top of the distribution with a mean density of 2300 kg/m3, with the presence of a volcanic conduit of 2400 kg/m3 at the base. The seismicity in the area suggests that the gravimetric anomaly caused by the dome and its surrounding materials may be related to a large weakened zone at the interface between the volcanic edifice and the metamorphic basement, provoked by fault activity, interaction with the hydrothermal system and the ascent of hot, fluid material to the surface. This study suggests one interpretation of the Machin dome volcanic complex and encourages further gravimetric studies and modeling over a wider area.