The complex, static displacement of a very long period seismic signal observed at Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, WI

• Published in: Journal of volcanology and geothermal research 2021-05, Vol.413, p.107209, Article 107209
• Main Authors: Šindija, Dinko, Neuberg, Jürgen, Smith, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Moment tensor inversion; Restituton process; Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat; Very-long period seismic signals; Volcano seismology
• ISSN: 0377-0273; 1872-6097
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2021.107209

In this study we demonstrate how very-long period (VLP) volcanic seismic signals can be processed in order to obtain essential and detailed information about the seismo-volcanic source process. As an example we use the VLP signal observed on 23 March 2012 during an outgassing event at Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, acquired by instruments with different natural periods. The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of retrieving the correct source time function by a complete restitution process. When ground displacement cannot be retrieved through the restitution process due to very narrow band-pass limited instrument response, we compare synthetic and observed waveforms in the velocity domain and determine the best model by generating a synthetic velocity seismogram using the band-limited seismometer characteristics. Furthermore, we show how this approach of forward modelling can reveal much more detail of the source process, since small changes in displacement are enhanced in the velocity seismogram. Using these restituted and modelled displacements we perform a moment tensor inversion combined with a grid search locating the source at 600 m depth below sea level and estimating the source volume change to be in the range of 0.6−1.1 × 103m3. •Restitution of VLP ground displacement by including the spectral components that go beyond the natural period of the seismometer•Joint interpretation of velocity and displacement seismograms•Extending the range of intermediate band (30 and 60 s) seismometers into broader band sensors•Moment tensor inversion of VLP signals