Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Characterisation of the Quaternary eruption record: Analysis of the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database

Guerrero, Natalie Ortiz; Crosweller, Helen Sian; Brown, Sarah Krystyna; Sparks, Robert Stephen John; Cottrell, Elizabeth; Deligne, Natalia Irma; Hobbs, Laura; Kiyosugi, Koji; Loughlin, Susan Clare; Siebert, Lee; Takarada, Shinji

Characterisation of the Quaternary eruption record: Analysis of the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database Thumbnail


Authors

Natalie Ortiz Guerrero

Helen Sian Crosweller

Sarah Krystyna Brown

Robert Stephen John Sparks

Elizabeth Cottrell

Natalia Irma Deligne

Koji Kiyosugi

Susan Clare Loughlin

Lee Siebert

Shinji Takarada



Abstract

© 2015 Brown et al. The Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database contains data on 1,883 Quaternary eruption records of magnitude (M) 4 and above and is publically accessible online via the British Geological Survey. Spatial and temporal analysis of the data indicates that the record is incomplete and is thus biased. The recorded distribution of volcanoes is variable on a global scale, with three-quarters of all volcanoes with M ≥ 4 Quaternary activity located in the northern hemisphere and a quarter within Japan alone. The distribution of recorded eruptions does not strictly follow the spatial distribution of volcanoes and has distinct intra-regional variability, with about 40% of all recorded eruptions having occurred in Japan, reflecting in part the country's efforts devoted to comprehensive volcanic studies. The number of eruptions in LaMEVE decreases with increasing age, exemplified by the recording of 50% of all known Quaternary eruptions during the last 20,000 years. Historical dating is prevalent from 1450 AD to the present day, substantially improving record completeness. The completeness of the record also improves as magnitude increases. This is demonstrated by the calculation of the median time, T50, for eruptions within given magnitude intervals, where 50% of eruptions are older than T50: T50 ranges from 5,070 years for M4-4.9 eruptions to 935,000 years for M ≥ 8 eruptions. T50 follows a power law fit, suggesting a quantifiable relationship between eruption size and preservation potential of eruptive products. Several geographic regions have T50 ages of < 250 years for the smallest (~M4) eruptions reflecting substantial levels of under-recording. There is evidence for latitudinal variation in eruptive activity, possibly due to the effects of glaciation. A peak in recorded activity is identified at 11 to 9 ka in high-latitude glaciated regions. This is absent in non-glaciated regions, supporting the hypothesis of increased volcanism due to ice unloading around this time. Record completeness and consequent interpretation of record limitations are important in understanding volcanism on global to local scales and must be considered during rigorous volcanic hazard and risk assessments. The study also indicates that there need to be improvements in the quality of data, including assessment of uncertainties in volume estimates.

Citation

Guerrero, N. O., Crosweller, H. S., Brown, S. K., Sparks, R. S. J., Cottrell, E., Deligne, N. I., …Takarada, S. (2014). Characterisation of the Quaternary eruption record: Analysis of the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database. Journal of Applied Volcanology, 3(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-5040-3-5

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 7, 2014
Publication Date Dec 1, 2014
Deposit Date May 15, 2018
Publicly Available Date May 15, 2018
Journal Journal of Applied Volcanology
Electronic ISSN 2191-5040
Publisher SpringerOpen
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 3
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-5040-3-5
Keywords characterisation, quaternary eruption record, large magnitude, explosive volcanic eruptions, LaMEVE database
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/820031
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-5040-3-5

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations