On vertical ground-surface movements around Avacha Volcano during the 1964 through 1995 period and opportunities for pursuing these studies

Abstract

This paper presents all direct precise leveling measurements of elevations between permanent benchmarks that stand along two lines in the Avacha Geodynamic Test Site from 1962 to 1995. These data are of special importance for future researchers. We show that the vertical strain increases as one approaches the volcanic edifice, while at the same time being oscillatory in character. The fluctuations of benchmark elevations at distances of 6–7 km from the volcano show amplitudes of –4.2 cm to +3.0 cm relative to a benchmark that is 17.4 km distant from the crater. It is hypothesized that the oscillatory character of vertical movements around the volcano is due to the varying influence of crustal stresses on the magma chamber beneath the volcano and these stresses are subject to variation in the subduction zone of the Pacific and Eurasian plates. Under these conditions the magma chamber “operates” as a natural giant strainmeter. The leveling observations revealed subsidence on the shore of Avacha Bay in the seaport area, probably by as much as over 13 cm at the time of the large earthquake that occurred in November 1971 and whose epicenter was in the Avacha Bay at a distance of approximately 70 km from the city.