Validation of the multi parametric system for volcanic surveillance on Deception Island (Antartica): volcanic process 2012-2017

Resumen

Volcanoes are complex systems in which the diverse associated physico-chemical processes present a wide spatial variability. In order to study these processes, it is necessary to deploy monitoring networks. The caldera of Deception volcano is submerged and forms an inner bay named Port Foster. This circumstance adds particular characteristics against the rest of the volcanoes. Its location in Antarctica makes its monitoring a challenge. Based on its specific features we have developed a multi-parametric monitoring system to surveil the following parameters in near-real time: ground deformation with three GPS-GNSS stations in BAE Gabriel de Castilla (BEGC), Fumaroles Bay (FUMA) and Pendulum Cove (PEND); thermal anomalies with a thermistor and thermocouple sensors at different depths to get a vertical profile of Cerro Caliente (CECA) and slope distance between two benchmarks (BEGC-CECA) with electromagnetic distance meter surveying (EDM). Two additional parameters are obtained: instantaneous sea level and temperature measurements of Port Foster with a tide gage station (DECMAR). These records complement the data for volcanic activity surveillance on Deception Island. All sensors monitored in near-real time have been integrated in a low-cost system based on embedded systems. These systems show great adaptability to different environments because they are based on open, low-cost, low-consumption systems. This system, which collects data from different sensors, connects them, by WiFi links, to a control centre located in the Spanish station where forecasts of short, medium and long term are provided through the analysis of the time series within the context of the island’s geodynamic mechanism. This system is a very useful tool, especially to provide the first information at the beginning of the campaign. Thus, this multi-parametric volcano monitoring system can be said to currently allow the assessment of ground deformation and thermometric anomalies observed in near real time (GNSS-GPS, thermometry, EDM). During the austral winter of 2012 submarine thermometry detected the beginning of an important process of volcanic activity. This process meant continuous geodynamic behaviour of expansion-elevation until January 2015 when the process turned into compression-subsidence behaviour until January 2017. All these changes have been detected and registered and, therefore, validate this multi-parametric system designed for and established on Deception Island.