European Laboratory volcanoes : Furnas. Study of eruption precursors and the plumbing system aimed at eruption prediction, understanding eruptive mechanisms and hazard assessment

Objective

The overall aim of this project is to understand the internal
mechanisms and eruptive processes of Furnas Volcano; recognize
likely physical and chemical precursors of eruption; identify the
styles of eruption that have occurred during the history of
Furnas and the frequency of occurrence; assess the likely hazards
and develop a risk analysis, especially on the human health
impact; and devise disaster mitigation measures.


Volcanic gas emissions and the hydrothermal system will be studied by regular
collection and chemical analysis of gasses and water fumaroles using atomic
absorption, gas/liquid chromatography, classic wet analytical techniques and isotopic
analysis.

To investigate ground deformation, precision levelling, GPS and EDM measurements,
continuous seismic monitoring and field gravimetric and magnetic measurements will
be carried out.

The volcanic history of the volcano will be determined by geological
geomorphological mapping in the field and photo interpretation.

Geochemical analysis will be used to model the volcano's magnetic system.

To study air pollution: grass samples, lichens, SO2 levels,
CO2 and Radon emissions from soil.

About 80 houses will be chosen by systematic random sampling to determinate indoor
air levels of CO2 and in the same house people will be
selected to collect a random
urine sample. The foundings will be related to available epidemiological information
on the instance of lung cancer and pre-senile dementia in the area.

Hazard zonation mapping will be related to locations of buildings and a descriptive
study of the alert procedures, organization of disaster management warning
procedures will be undertaken.

Protective measures against tephra, ballistic projectiles, earthquakes etc. will be
undertaken.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › mycology › ethnolichenology
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › noble gases
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › geology › volcanology
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › geology › seismology
• social sciences › sociology › governance › crisis management

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 040102 - Volcanic risk

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSIDADE DOS ACORES

Address

58,rua Da Mae De Deus
9500 Ponta Delgada
Portugal

Participants (5)

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

Spain

Address

Edificio Facultad Matematicas - Ciudad
28071 Madrid

NORDIC VOLCANOLOGICAL INSTITUTE

Iceland

Address

50,grensasvegur 50 University Of Iceland, Geoscience
108 Reykjavik

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

United Kingdom

Address

Gower Street
WC1E 6BT London

UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE

Italy

Address

Via G. La Pira 4
50121 Firenze

University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

Address

Hills Road
CB2 2SP Cambridge