The dynamics of magma deep in the Earth’s crust are difficult to capture by geophysical monitoring. Since May 2018, a seismically quiet area offshore of Mayotte in the western Indian Ocean has been affected by complex seismic activity, including long-duration, very-long-period signals detected globally. Global Navigation Satellite System stations on Mayotte have also recorded a large surface deflation offshore. Here we analyse regional and global seismic and deformation data to provide a one-year-long detailed picture of a deep, rare magmatic process. We identify about 7,000 volcano-tectonic earthquakes and 407 very-long-period seismic signals. Early earthquakes migrated upward in response to a magmatic dyke propagating from Moho depth to the surface, whereas later events marked the progressive failure of the roof of a magma reservoir, triggering its resonance. An analysis of the very-long-period seismicity and deformation suggests that at least 1.3 km3 of magma drained from a reservoir of 10 to 15 km diameter at 25 to 35 km depth. We demonstrate that such deep offshore magmatic activity can be captured without any on-site monitoring.

Cesca S., Letort J., Razafindrakoto H.N.T., Heimann S., Rivalta E., Isken M.P., et al. (2020). Drainage of a deep magma reservoir near Mayotte inferred from seismicity and deformation. NATURE GEOSCIENCE, 13(1), 87-93 [10.1038/s41561-019-0505-5].

Drainage of a deep magma reservoir near Mayotte inferred from seismicity and deformation

Rivalta E.;Passarelli L.;
2020

Abstract

The dynamics of magma deep in the Earth’s crust are difficult to capture by geophysical monitoring. Since May 2018, a seismically quiet area offshore of Mayotte in the western Indian Ocean has been affected by complex seismic activity, including long-duration, very-long-period signals detected globally. Global Navigation Satellite System stations on Mayotte have also recorded a large surface deflation offshore. Here we analyse regional and global seismic and deformation data to provide a one-year-long detailed picture of a deep, rare magmatic process. We identify about 7,000 volcano-tectonic earthquakes and 407 very-long-period seismic signals. Early earthquakes migrated upward in response to a magmatic dyke propagating from Moho depth to the surface, whereas later events marked the progressive failure of the roof of a magma reservoir, triggering its resonance. An analysis of the very-long-period seismicity and deformation suggests that at least 1.3 km3 of magma drained from a reservoir of 10 to 15 km diameter at 25 to 35 km depth. We demonstrate that such deep offshore magmatic activity can be captured without any on-site monitoring.
2020
Cesca S., Letort J., Razafindrakoto H.N.T., Heimann S., Rivalta E., Isken M.P., et al. (2020). Drainage of a deep magma reservoir near Mayotte inferred from seismicity and deformation. NATURE GEOSCIENCE, 13(1), 87-93 [10.1038/s41561-019-0505-5].
Cesca S.; Letort J.; Razafindrakoto H.N.T.; Heimann S.; Rivalta E.; Isken M.P.; Nikkhoo M.; Passarelli L.; Petersen G.M.; Cotton F.; Dahm T.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/775282
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