Source constraints for the 2015 phreatic eruption of Hakone volcano, Japan, based on geological analysis and resistivity structure

Abstract

On June 29, 2015, a small phreatic eruption occurred in the most intensively steaming area of Hakone volcano, Japan. A previous magnetotelluric survey for the whole volcano revealed that the eruption center area (ECA) was located near the apex of a bell-shaped conductive body (resistivity < 10 Ωm) beneath the volcano. We performed local, high-resolution magnetotelluric surveys focusing on the ECA before and after the eruption. The results from these, combined with our geological analysis of samples obtained from a steam well (500 m deep) in the ECA, revealed that the conductive body contained smectite. Beneath the ECA, however, the conductive body intercalated a very local resistive body located at a depth of approximately 150 m. This resistive body is considered a vapor pocket. For the 2 months prior to eruption, a highly localized uplift of the ECA had been observed via satellite InSAR. The calculated depth of the inflation source was coincident with that of the vapor pocket, implying that enhanced vapor flux during the precursory unrest increased the porosity and vapor content in the vapor pocket. In fact, our magnetotelluric survey indicated that the vapor pocket became inflated after the eruption. The layer overlaying the vapor pocket was characterized by the formation of various altered minerals, and mineral precipitation within the veins and cracks in the layer was considered to have formed a self-sealing zone. From the mineral assemblage, we conclude that the product of the 2015 eruption originated from the self-sealing zone. The 2015 eruption is thus considered a rupture of the vapor pocket only 150 m below the surface. Even though the eruption appeared to have been triggered by the formation of a considerably deeper crack, as implied by the ground deformation, no geothermal fluid or rocks from significantly deeper than 150 m were erupted.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]