Speaker
Description
Sakurajima Muography Observatory (SMO) is a modular infrastructure that is operating with 14 muon tracking systems based on gaseous detectors [1] and scintillators [2]. The SMO is monitoring the mass density changes through the volcanic edifice and in the atmosphere at the Sakurajima volcano, Japan. We discuss the recent observational results. We observed mass changes on the surface regions of the volcanic edifice due to deposition and erosion of volcanic ejecta and by post-eruptive lahars [2,3]. We observed the evolution of magmatic plug beneath the active crater that helped to explain the link between eruption frequency and ground deformation [4]. The SMO captured atmospheric pressure drops caused by tropical cyclones and monitored the passages of different cyclones near Kagoshima [5]. We discuss the ongoing developments and future plans for next generation muography of volcanic and atmospheric hazards.
[1] Oláh, L., Tanaka, H.K.M., Ohminato, T. & Varga, D. High-definition and low-noise muography of the Sakurajima volcano with gaseous tracking detectors. Sci Rep 8, 3207 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21423-9
[2] Tanaka, H.K.M. Development of the muographic tephra deposit monitoring system. Sci Rep 10, 14820 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71902-1
[3] Oláh, L., Tanaka, H.K.M. & Hamar, G. Muographic monitoring of hydrogeomorphic changes induced by post-eruptive lahars and erosion of Sakurajima volcano. Sci Rep 11, 17729 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96947-8
[4] Oláh, L. et al. Muon Imaging of Volcanic Conduit Explains Link Between Eruption Frequency and Ground Deformation. Geophys. Res. Lett. 50, e2022GL101170 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101170
[5] Tanaka, H.K.M., et al. Atmospheric muography for imaging and monitoring tropic cyclones. Sci Rep 12, 16710 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20039-4