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1. Infrasound Radiation From Impulsive Volcanic Eruptions: Nonlinear Aeroacoustic 2D Simulations

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB021940  

   Watson, Leighton M. ; Dunham, Eric M. ; Mohaddes, Danyal ; Labahn, Jeff ; Jaravel, Thomas ; Ihme, Matthias ( August 2021 , Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth)

   Infrasound observations are increasingly used to constrain properties of volcanic eruptions. In order to better interpret infrasound observations, however, there is a need to better understand the relationship between eruption properties and sound generation. Here we perform two‐dimensional computational aeroacoustic simulations where we solve the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations for pure‐air with a large‐eddy simulation approximation. We simulate idealized impulsive volcanic eruptions where the exit velocity is specified and the eruption is pressure‐balanced with the atmosphere. Our nonlinear simulation results are compared with the commonly used analytical linear acoustics model of a compact monopole source radiating acoustic waves isotropically in a half space. The monopole source model matches the simulations for low exit velocities (m/s orwhereis the Mach number); however, the two solutions diverge as the exit velocity increases with the simulations developing lower peak amplitude, more rapid onset, and anisotropic radiation with stronger infrasound signals recorded above the vent than on Earth's surface. Our simulations show that interpreting ground‐based infrasound observations with the monopole source model can result in an underestimation of the erupted volume for eruptions with sonic or supersonic exit velocities. We examine nonlinear effects and show that nonlinear effects during propagation are relatively minor for the parameters considered. Instead, the dominant nonlinear effect is advection by the complex flow structure that develops above the vent. This work demonstrates the need to consider anisotropic radiation patterns and jet dynamics when interpreting infrasound observations, particularly for eruptions with sonic or supersonic exit velocities.

    

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2. Seismo-acoustic characterisation of the 2018 Ambae (Manaro Voui) eruption, Vanuatu

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-021-01474-z  

   Park, Iseul ; Jolly, Arthur ; Matoza, Robin S. ; Kennedy, Ben ; Kilgour, Geoff ; Johnson, Richard ; Garaebiti, Esline ; Cevuard, Sandrine ( September 2021 , Bulletin of Volcanology)

   Abstract A new episode of unrest and phreatic/phreatomagmatic/magmatic eruptions occurred at Ambae volcano, Vanuatu, in 2017–2018. We installed a multi-station seismo-acoustic network consisting of seven 3-component broadband seismic stations and four 3-element (26–62 m maximum inter-element separation) infrasound arrays during the last phase of the 2018 eruption episode, capturing at least six reported major explosions towards the end of the eruption episode. The observed volcanic seismic signals are generally in the passband 0.5–10 Hz during the eruptive activity, but the corresponding acoustic signals have relatively low frequencies (< 1 Hz). Apparent very-long-period (< 0.2 Hz) seismic signals are also observed during the eruptive episode, but we show that they are generated as ground-coupled airwaves and propagate with atmospheric acoustic velocity. We observe strongly coherent infrasound waves at all acoustic arrays during the eruptions. Using waveform similarity of the acoustic signals, we detect previously unreported volcanic explosions at the summit vent region based on constant-celerity reverse-time-migration (RTM) analysis. The detected acoustic bursts are temporally related to shallow seismic volcanic tremor (frequency content of 5–10 Hz), which we characterise using a simplified amplitude ratio method at a seismic station pair with different distances from the vent. The amplitude ratio increased at the onset of large explosions and then decreased, which is interpreted as the seismic source ascent and descent. The ratio change is potentially useful to recognise volcanic unrest using only two seismic stations quickly. This study reiterates the value of joint seismo-acoustic data for improving interpretation of volcanic activity and reducing ambiguity in geophysical monitoring. 

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3. Lava fountain jet noise during the 2018 eruption of fissure 8 of Kīlauea volcano

   https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.1027408  

   Gestrich, Julia E. ; Fee, David ; Matoza, Robin S. ; Lyons, John J. ; Dietterich, Hannah R. ; Cigala, Valeria ; Kueppers, Ulrich ; Patrick, Matthew R. ; Parcheta, Carolyn E. ( November 2022 , Frontiers in Earth Science)

   Real-time monitoring is crucial to assess hazards and mitigate risks of sustained volcanic eruptions that last hours to months or more. Sustained eruptions have been shown to produce a low frequency (infrasonic) form of jet noise. We analyze the lava fountaining at fissure 8 during the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii, and connect changes in fountain properties with recorded infrasound signals from an array about 500 m from the fountain using jet noise scaling laws and visual imagery. Video footage from the eruption reveals a change in lava fountain dynamics from a tall, distinct fountain at the beginning of June to a low fountain with a turbulent, out-pouring lava pond surrounded by a tephra cone by mid-June. During mid-June, the sound pressure level reaches a maximum, and peak frequency drops. We develop a model that uses jet noise scaling relationships to estimate changes in volcanic jet diameter and jet velocity from infrasound sound pressure levels and peak frequencies. The results of this model indicate a decrease in velocity in mid-June which coincides with the decrease in fountain height. Furthermore, the model results suggest an increase in jet diameter, which can be explained by the larger width of the fountain that resembles a turbulent lava pond compared to the distinct fountain at the beginning of June. The agreement between the infrasound-derived and visually observed changes in fountain dynamics suggests that jet noise scaling relationships can be used to monitor lava fountain dynamics using infrasound recordings. 

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4. Fitting Jet Noise Similarity Spectra to Volcano Infrasound Data

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EA001894  

   Gestrich, J. E. ; Fee, D. ; Matoza, R. S. ; Lyons, J. J. ; Ruiz, M. C. ( November 2021 , Earth and Space Science)

   Infrasound (low‐frequency acoustic waves) has proven useful to detect and characterize subaerial volcanic activity, but understanding the infrasonic source during sustained eruptions is still an area of active research. Preliminary comparison between acoustic eruption spectra and the jet noise similarity spectra suggests that volcanoes can produce an infrasonic form of jet noise from turbulence. The jet noise similarity spectra, empirically derived from audible laboratory jets, consist of two noise sources: large‐scale turbulence (LST) and fine‐scale turbulence (FST). We fit the similarity spectra quantitatively to eruptions of Mount St. Helens in 2005, Tungurahua in 2006, and Kīlauea in 2018 using nonlinear least squares fitting. By fitting over a wide infrasonic frequency band (0.05–10 Hz) and restricting the peak frequency above 0.15 Hz, we observe a better fit during times of eruption versus non‐eruptive background noise. Fitting smaller overlapping frequency bands highlights changes in the fit of LST and FST spectra, which aligns with observed changes in eruption dynamics. Our results indicate that future quantitative spectral fitting of eruption data will help identify changes in eruption source parameters such as velocity, jet diameter, and ash content which are critical for effective hazard monitoring and response.

    

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5. Evidence for near-source nonlinear propagation of volcano infrasound from Strombolian explosions at Yasur Volcano, Vanuatu

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-022-01552-w  

   Maher, Sean P. ; Matoza, Robin S. ; Jolly, Arthur ; de Groot-Hedlin, Catherine ; Gee, Kent L. ; Fee, David ; Iezzi, Alexandra M. ( March 2022 , Bulletin of Volcanology)

   Volcanic eruption source parameters may be estimated from acoustic pressure recordings dominant at infrasonic frequencies (< 20 Hz), yet uncertainties may be high due in part to poorly understood propagation dynamics. Linear acoustic propagation of volcano infrasound is commonly assumed, but nonlinear processes such as wave steepening may distort waveforms and obscure the sourcing process in recorded waveforms. Here we use a previously developed frequency-domain nonlinearity indicator to quantify spectral changes due to nonlinear propagation primarily in 80 signals from explosions at Yasur Volcano, Vanuatu. We find evidence for$$\le$$$\le$10⁻³ dB/m spectral energy transfer in the band 3–9 Hz for signals with amplitude on the order of several hundred Pa at 200–400 m range. The clarity of the nonlinear spectral signature increases with waveform amplitude, suggesting stronger nonlinear changes for greater source pressures. We observe similar results in application to synthetics generated through finite-difference wavefield simulations of nonlinear propagation, although limitations of the model complicate direct comparison to the observations. Our results provide quantitative evidence for nonlinear propagation that confirms previous interpretations made on the basis of qualitative observations of asymmetric waveforms.

    

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