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Measurement of Volcanic Gases at Kilauea Volcano Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: Marie Edmonds
Project Title: Measurement of Volcanic Gases at Kilauea Volcano Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Mendenhall Fellow: Marie Edmonds, (808) 967-7328, medmonds@usgs.gov
Duty Station: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Start Date: March 1, 2004
Education: Ph.D. (Volcanology), University of Cambridge, United Kingdon, 2001
Research Advisors: Terry Gerlach,(360) 993-8916, tgerlach@usgs.gov; Don Swanson (808) 967-8863, donswan@usgs.gov
Project Description: Kilauea is a natural laboratory for the study of volcanic gases at an open vent basaltic volcano.  Fundamental models of the dynamics and kinetics of degassing processes have been established here, making this an ideal test-bed for new techniques and an investigation into the more complex, detailed kind of gas studies that FTIR spectroscopy allows.  The research possibilities are numerous.  The FTIR technique can measure the concentrations of a vast number of inorganic and organic gas molecules, down to very low levels, including the more familiar and well-constrained volcanic gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide.  One of the primary aims is to identify trends and changes in the emissions of volcanic gases which correlate with changes in other measurable parameters at the volcano, such as seismicity, ground deformation and petrology.  Interpretation of long and short term changes in degassing processes will enable us to build on pre-existing ideas at this volcano and elsewhere.  Less abundant species which have not been well-characterized in the past include halocarbons and sulphur species such as COS.  Lava flows frequently interact with vegetation and the sea, giving rise to a number of organic molecules and large amounts of HCl.

Publications:
Edmonds, M., and Herd, R.A., An inland-directed base surge generated by the explosive interaction of pyroclastic flows and seawater at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat: Geology, in press.

Edmonds, M., Herd, R.A., Galle, B., and Oppenheimer, C., 2003, A new automated real-time SO2 flux measurement system at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, West Indies: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 65, no. 8, p. 578-586 .

Edmonds, M., Pyle, D.M., Oppenheimer, C.M., and Herd, R.A., 2003, Trends in SO2 fluxes 1995-2001 at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, West Indies and their implications for changes in conduit permeability, hydrothermal interaction and degassing regime: Journal of Volcanological and Geothermal Research, v. 124, nos.1-2, p. 23-43.

Edmonds, M., Oppenheimer, C., Pyle, D., and Herd, R., 2003, Evaluating plume chemistry using ash leachate and rainwater analysis: Geological Society Special Publications, v. 213, p. 203-218.

Edmonds, M., Pyle, D., and Oppenheimer, C., 2002, HCl emissions at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, West Indies, during a second phase of dome building, November 1999 to September 2000: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 64, p. 21-30.

———2001, A Model of degassing at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, West Indies, based on geochemical data: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 186, p. 159-173.

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