Inside the Active Volcano On Montserrat

Roland Piquepaille writes "An international team of researchers has begun collecting imaging data on the Soufriere Hills Volcano in Montserrat, which has been erupting regularly since 1995. They're using the equivalent of a CAT scan to understand its internal structure and how and when it erupts. The experiment is dubbed SEA-CALIPSO and 'will use air guns and a string of sensors off the back of a research ship combined with sensors on land to try to image the magma chamber.' Early results are surprising. Quoting one of the leading scientists: 'The interesting thing is that much more magma is erupting than appears represented by the subsiding bowl. ... The magma volume in Montserrat eruptions is much larger than anyone would estimate from the surface deformation, because of the elastic storage of magma in what is effectively a huge magma sponge.'"

Been there..

[MoellerPlesset2]

It's a beautiful place, beautiful volcano too. Odd fact of the kind they tell tourists: It once erupted and killed everyone except a guy who was in jail in an underground cell.

Re:Since a volcano is just a pressure cooker...

[lysergic.acid]

i'm not a volcanologist, but this seems like it could be done by:

1. using seismic surveys and land-based surface measurements to determine when the volcano approaching its eruptive phase and only work when there is minimal activity.
2. use ground penetrating sonar or seismic survey data, locate the exact position of the magma chamber(s).
3. drill towards the magma chamber at an angle so that you're not working directly above the volcanic system.
4. use unmanned or remotely-operated drilling machines [wikipedia.org] for the last mile of the tunnel.

i mean, we have the technology to operate machinery remotely using video feeds and radio communication. and wasn't there a recent story about some deep sea drilling operation hitting a pocket of magma on accident? i know in 2005 a geothermal drilling site in Hawaii [physorg.com] also came upon a magma chamber [bbc.co.uk] on accident. seems like if they could tunnel into a magma chamber on accident without problem, then they can certain do so safely with prior planning.

the tunnel at Puna site was 1.5 miles deep, which is about half as deep as the ceiling of Montserrat's magma chamber; add to that another ~41% if you're tunneling in at a 45 degree angle, and it'll take quite a bit longer, but it's still feasible. i think the bigger probably might be keeping the magma flowing rather than cooling down and clogging the channel, but perhaps this won't be a problem for an active volcanic system.