Geophysics Seminar - Rodrigo Contreras Arratia, "Volcano Seismology - Translating Academic Results into Monitoring"

Speaker: Prof. Rodrigo Contreras Arratia
Luksic Visiting Scholar / Assistant Professor, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Chile

Abstract:

Scientific advances in volcano seismology are difficult to translate into actual volcano observatory practice. Scientific conclusions drawn from large seismic deployments or numerical modelling are not usually adopted for monitoring due to limited computational resources, scientific expertise, and, more importantly, time. My (short) career has focused on this problem, adapting computationally cheap, open-access tools to optimise operational processes and assess volcanic activity as accurately as possible. I also promote the use of very low-frequency seismic signals, which are not routinely considered by volcano observatories, as well as good monitoring practices and collaboration between institutions.

Speaker-suggested reading: Contreras-Arratia, R., Chouet, B., Caudron, C., Nath, N., Balchan, A., Madoo, F., & Ramsingh-Reddock, H. (2024). Tracking seismicity in an underfunded institution: The case of La Soufrière St Vincent volcanic eruption 2020–2021. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 446, 107990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107990