Seismological contributions to the understanding of active volcanoes in South America and Antarctica
Keywords:
Seismology, active volcanoes, characterization of the subsurface, monitoringAbstract
The development of comprehensive knowledge about the behavior of an active volcanic system, along with the elaboration of effective early warning alerts for potential events with negative impacts on nearby populations, constitutes the major challenge of contemporary volcanology. In order to accomplish this aim, it is essential to develop a detailed understanding of the location and physical state of the components constituting the subsurface, particularly the structural configuration in which the conduit system —responsible for transporting fluids (water, magma, and gases) to the surface— is situated. Equally crucial is the evaluation of the dynamics resulting from the interaction of these components over time. In recent years, seismologists from the Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas (Universidad Nacional de La Plata) and the Observatorio Argentino de Vigilancia Volcánica (Servicio Geológico y Minero Argentino), in collaboration with local and international institutions, have implemented diverse methodologies contributing to improve the knowledge of the structure of the active volcanic systems of interest, as well as their temporal evolution. This article compiles a selection of these contributions to the understanding of volcanoes located in South American and Antarctic territories.
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