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Article
Evidence of Atmospheric Gravity Waves During the 2008 Eruption of Okmok Volcano from Seismic and Remote Sensing Observations
Geophysical Research Letters
  • S. De Angelis, University of Washington
  • Stephen R. McNutt, University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • P. W. Webley, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2011
Keywords
  • remote sensing,
  • seismology,
  • volcanology
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL047144
Disciplines
Abstract

Okmok volcano erupted on July 12, 2008, following an 11-year hiatus. Detailed inspection of the syn-eruptive seismograms revealed the presence of an ultra long-period mode at a frequency of 1.7 mHz, which is not a characteristic of the background seismic noise at Okmok. Data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and National Aeronautical and Space Administration Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors displayed the propagation of a vigorous ash-and-steam plume up to about 17 km above sea level. We suggest that the observed ultra long-period signals represent the response of the seismometer to changes in gravity associated with buoyancy oscillations set off in the lower atmosphere above Okmok by the emplacement of the eruption column. Calculations based on simple modeling of these effects allowed estimation of peak atmospheric pressure perturbations associated with the eruption of less than 1 mbar.

Rights Information
Default Rights Statement
Citation / Publisher Attribution

Geophysical Research Letters, v. 38, issue 10, art. L10303

Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Citation Information
S. De Angelis, Stephen R. McNutt and P. W. Webley. "Evidence of Atmospheric Gravity Waves During the 2008 Eruption of Okmok Volcano from Seismic and Remote Sensing Observations" Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 38 Iss. 10 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stephen-mcnutt/22/