Abstract
Fuego volcano in Guatemala began its current eruptive episode in 1999.
From 2008-2015 we observed repeating and near-repeating seismic events
in the long period (LP: 0.5-5 Hz) and very long period (VLP: 100-10s)
bandwidths. Two separate types of repeating VLP events indicate
pressurization within the shallow conduit prior to explosions with
different surficial expressions, including emissions from two separate
vents from at least 2008-2012. Between explosions, repeating LP events
which do not have associated visible emissions provide a mechanism for
small magnitude degassing. The seismic amplitudes of the LP events are
1-3 orders of magnitude lower than the amplitudes of the VLP events. The
coefficient of variation of the interevent times for these repeating LP
events in 2012 were all above 1.5, which suggests a renewal process
driven by interactions of more than one factor. Based on the at least
eight-year stability of both the LP and VLP signals and coupled with
various other visual datasets, we present an updated model of the
shallow conduit dynamics controlling explosive events. In this model,
the VLP source acts as a possible constriction point allowing for
crystal and volatiles to form local concentrations out of an otherwise
steady supply of magma. High water content leads to undercooled magma
and promotes rapid crystallization and the formation of partial seals
within the conduit. Pressurization due to and breaking of these seals
results in the modeled VLP source. Strain along the conduit margins
promotes the formation of fracture networks which facilitate degassing,
the opening and closing of which are sources for the LP signals. Small
fluctuations in magma ascent rates therefore have drastic effects on
changes in shallow magma rheology and eruption style. These small
fluctuations average out over the intermediate term (week to month) to
maintain observed, stable, long-term (year to multi-year) degassing
rates from the volcano.