The characteristics of seismic signals produced by lahars and pyroclastic flows: Volcán de Colima, México

The general characteristics of seismic signals produced by pyroclastic flows (generated by either the collapse of a lava dome or an eruptive column) and lahars at Volcán de Colima, México are discussed. The paper concentrates on the 2004–2006 activity associated with and following the extrusion of andesitic block-lava in October–November 2004. It is shown that the duration of the broad-band seismic records of pyroclastic flows lasts a few minutes while the duration of seismic records of lahars continues for tens of minutes or hours. The spectra of seismic records produced by pyroclastic flows are characterized by lower peak frequencies (around 3–4 Hz) than for lahars (around 6–8 Hz). This difference in the frequency content together with the difference in the duration of seismic signals allows early diagnostic of the events in real time.