Seasonal and multi-year changes in CO2 degassing at Mammoth Mountain explained by solid-earth-driven fault valving

Geophysical Research Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

Changes in CO2 emissions from volcanoes may evidence volcanic unrest. We use a multiyear time series of CO2 flux collected at the Horseshoe Lake Tree Kill area on Mammoth Mountain, CA, to understand processes that cause variations in flux from this system. Seasonal variations are systematically lowest during the winter months and reach maximum values during the summer season. A persistent ∼20% reduction in CO2 flux occurred during the Spring of 2017, coincident with the emergence of the area from drought and earthquake swarms in Long Valley Caldera. We used continuous GNSS measurements to calculate seasonal strains and stresses across the Mammoth Mountain area, and resolved resultant stresses onto the Mammoth Mountain Fault, which appears to facilitate gas transport to the surface. The normal stress changes are consistent with seasonal and multiyear changes in CO2 flux, suggesting that fault valving by solid earth processes can alter surface gas fluxes.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Seasonal and multi-year changes in CO2 degassing at Mammoth Mountain explained by solid-earth-driven fault valving
Series title Geophysical Research Letters
DOI 10.1029/2021GL096595
Volume 49
Issue 6
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description e2021GL096595, 10 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Horseshoe Lake Tree Kill , Mammoth Mountain
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