Dynamics of volcano-hydrothermal systems

“The marriage of Pele, goddess of earth and fire, and Kamapuaa, god of water was short and violent” (Hawaiian legend)

Project overview

The interaction between groundwater and volatiles released from magma has a profound affect on various volcanic processes and landforms. Changes in heat and mass transport rates from magma to the shallow subsurface may provide warnings of volcanic unrest. Our major research objectives are to characterize spatial and temporal patterns in volcano-hydrothermal systems and relate them to volcanic activity by interpretation of geochemical, geologic, and geophysical data.

To achieve these goals, we use the following methods:

• Develop and apply multi-phase numerical codes to quantify conceptual models of volcano-hydrothermal systems. These codes couple fluid flow, heat and mass transport, and mechanical deformation.
• Develop and deploy instruments to measure the pressure, temperature, and volatile flux in active hydrothermal systems.
• Characterize the chemical and isotopic composition of aqueous fluids and gases discharged from volcanic systems.
• Quantify the controls on temporal and spatial permeability variations in volcano-hydrothermal systems.

Recent selected publications

Rojstaczer, S.A., Ingebritsen, S.E., and Hayba, D.O., 2008, Permeability of continental crust influenced by internal and external forcing: Geofluids, 8, 128-139. abstract

Kusakabe, M., Ohba, T., Issa, Yoshida, Y., Satake, H., Ohizumi, T., Evans, W. C., Tanyileke, G., and Kling, G. W., 2008, Evolution of CO2 in Lakes Monoun and Nyos, Cameroon, before and during controlled degassing: Geochemical Journal, 42, 93-118. abstract

Hurwitz, S., Kumar, A., Taylor, R., Heasler, H., 2008, Climate-induced variations of geyser periodicity in Yellowstone National Park, USA, Geology, 36, 451-454. abstract

Lowenstern, J.B., Hurwitz, S., 2008, Monitoring a Supervolcano in Repose: Heat and Volatile Flux at the Yellowstone Caldera, Elements, 4 , 35-40. abstract

Ingebritsen, S.E., Hurwitz, S., and Brodsky, E.E., 2008, Note from the Hubbert Quorum, Geofluids, 8, 1-2. Download pdf

Farrar, C.D., Evans, W.C., Venezky, D.Y., Hurwitz, S., Oliver, L.K., 2007, Boiling water at Hot Creek – the dangerous and dynamic thermal springs in California's Long Valley Caldera: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2007-3045, http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2007/3045/.

Hurwitz , S., Eagan, S., Heasler, H., Lowenstern, J.B., 2007, River chemistry and solute flux in Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series 278, http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/2007/278/

Hurwitz, S., Evans, W.C., Lowenstern, J.B., Bergfeld, D., Werner, C., Heasler, H., Jaworowski, C., 2007, Extensive hydrothermal rock alteration in a low pH, steam-heated environment: Hot Springs Basin, Yellowstone National Park, in Bullen, T.D., and Wang, Y. eds: Proceedings of the Water-Rock Interaction Symposium -12, Kunming, China, p. 81-85. pdf.

Evans, W.C., Bergfeld, D., McGimsey, R.G., Hunt, A.G., 2007, Magmatic gas efflux at the Ukinrek Maars, Alaska, n Bullen, T.D., and Wang, Y. eds: Proceedings of the Water-Rock Interaction Symposium -12, Kunming, China, p. 65-69. pdf

Hurwitz, S., Lowenstern, J.B., Heasler, H., 2007 Spatial and Temporal Geochemical Trends in the Hydrothermal System of Yellowstone National Park: Inferences From River Solute Fluxes, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Rsearch , 162, 149-171. abstract

Christiansen, L.B., Hurwitz, S., Ingebritsen, S., 2007, Annual modulation of seismicity along the San Andreas Fault near Parkfield, CA, Geophysical research Letters, 34, L04306, doi:10.1029/2006GL028634. abstract

Hurwitz, S., Christiansen, L.B., Hsieh, P., 2007, Hydrothermal fluid flow and Deformation in large calderas: inferences from numerical simulations, Journal of Geophysical Research, 112, B02206, doi:10.1029/2006JB004689. abstract

Abedini, A.A., Hurwitz, S., and Evans, W.C., 2006, USGS-NoGaDat – A global dataset of noble gas concentrations and their isotopic ratios in volcanic systems, U.S. Geological SurveyDigitalData Series , 202.

Evans, W.C., Bergfeld, D., van Soest, M.C., Huebner, M.A., Fitzpatrick, J., and Revesz, K.M., 2006, Geochemistry of low-temperature springs northwest of Yellowstone caldera: Seeking the link between seismicity, deformation, and fluid flow, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 154, 169-180. abstract

Eby, G. N. and Evans, W. C., 2006, Taming the killer lakes of Cameroon: Geology Today, v. 22, p. 18-22.abstract

Engle M. A., M. S. Gustin, F. Goff, D. A. Counce, C. J. Janik, D. Bergfeld, J. J. Rytuba, 2006, Atmospheric mercury emissions from substrates and fumaroles associated with three hydrothermal systems in the western United States, Journal of Geophysical Research, 111, D17304, doi:10.1029/2005JD006563. abstract

Mariner, R.H., Evans, W.C. and Young, H.W., 2006, Comparison of circulation times of thermal waters discharging from the Idaho batholith based on geothermometer temperatures, helium concentrations, and ¹⁴ C measurements, Geothermics, 35, 3-25. abstract

Ingebritsen, S.E., Sanford, W.E., and Neuzil, C., 2006, Groundwater in Geologic Processes: Cambridge University Press, (2nd edition).

Mariner, R.H., Venezky, D.Y., and Hurwitz, S.,2006, Chemical and isotopic database of water and gas from hydrothermal systems with an emphasis for the western United States, U.S. Geological Survey DigitalData Series, 169.

Bergfeld, D., Evans, W. C., Howle, J. F., and Farrar, C. D., 2006, Carbon dioxide emissions from vegetation-kill zones around the resurgent dome of Long Valley caldera, eastern California, USA: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 152 (1-2) 140-156. abstract

2001-2005 publications