An examination on Tatun Volcano Group from seismic monitoring and geochemical observation
Speaker: Pan Cheng Yu
Abstract
The Tatun volcano group, which includes more than twenty volcanoes, is located on the northern part of Taiwan. Near the volcano group lies Taipei basin, the capital of Taiwan with a total population of more than seven million people. Any eruption of Tatun volcano group could cause a significant damage in human lives and properties. In the past, Tatun volcano group is considered as an extinct volcano. But from the research in recent years, more and more evidence show that the magma chamber underneath Tatun volcano group is still active. Through the geochemical and seismic observations we can have a rough idea about the current status of Tatun volcano group. Since May 2003, a small seismic array consisting of five seismic stations has been deployed in the area. The results from seismic monitoring of the Tatun volcanic area show a large number of shallow micro earthquakes clustered beneath Chihsingshan and Dayoukeng. These results can be interpreted as the evidence of an active hydrothermal system. A series of analysis on the fumarolic sample around Dayoukeng has been done since 2003. The rising temperature and the increasing of HCl concentration around Dayoukeng area lead to the same conclusion we have made from seismic observation. With further studies and evidence coming out in Tatun volcano group, the establishing of real time monitoring system on Tatun volcano group has become an important issue to the local government.
Reference
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