Seismological studies on the mechanism of the large Tolbachik fissure eruption, 1975–1976

Abstract

Seismological observations provided consistent information on the course and mechanism of the complicated large fissure eruption at Tolbachik volcano in Kamchatka from July 6, 1975 to December 10, 1976. Seismicity indicates that the initial magnesian basalts were rising ten days before the eruption from depths of more than 20 km. The formation of new feeding dykes was accompanied by earthquake swarms which decreased sharply one to two days before the opening of new eruptive fissures. The seismological data indicate that the main source of the different erupted basalts (2 km3) was a vast system (diameter ca. 80 km) of hydraulically connected magma chambers located in the lower crustal layers or in the crust-mantle transition layer.