Seismic activity associated with volcán de colima

Abstract

Many different types of seismic events are registered simultaneously at Volcán de Colima, reflecting the variety of physical processes that occur at the same time. Formal recording of seismic activity began in 1989, when seismic short-period sensors were installed. This has been expanded to a network of broadband sensors currently working on the volcano. Seismicity associated with the most recent volcanic activity has consisted of Volcano-Tectonic events (VTs) and/or High Frequency events (HFs), Long-Period events (LPs), tremor, explosions with associated Very Long- Period events (VLPs), rockfalls, pyroclastic flows and lahars. The time evolution of these signals varies along with the depth and its characteristics. The seismicity and related energy release have been a good indicator of the magnitude of volcanic activity. Combined with other observations, seismic monitoring has been a very efficient tool for forecasting volcanic activity and helping to reduce volcanic risk at Volcán de Colima.