An overview of volcano infrasound: From hawaiian to plinian, local to global

Volcano infrasound is an increasingly useful technique for detecting, locating, characterizing, and quantifying eruptive activity, and can be used to constrain eruption source parameters. In recent years, studies of infrasound data from active volcanoes have shown clear progress towards mitigating volcanic hazards and understanding volcanic source processes. Volcano acoustic sources are shallow or aerial, thus volcano infrasound data provide valuable information on eruption dynamics and are readily combined with direct and remote observations of gas, ash, and other eruptive phenomena. The infrasound signals produced by volcanoes are indicative of the eruption style and dynamics. Here we review the diversity of infrasound signals generated by a wide variety of volcanic eruptions, from hawaiian to plinian, and the physical processes inferred to produce them. We place particular emphasis on regional (15–250 km distance) and global (> 250 km distance) volcano infrasound studies, as recent work in this area has made significant advances in monitoring and characterizing remote and difficult-to-monitor eruptions. Long-range infrasonic detection of explosive volcanic eruptions is possible due to the energetic source mechanisms involved, minor atmospheric attenuation at low frequencies, and the existence of waveguides in the atmosphere. However, accurate characterization of the atmosphere and its spatiotemporal variability is required for reliable long-range sound propagation modeling and correct interpretation of global infrasound recordings. Conversely, because volcanic explosions are energetic and sometimes repetitive infrasound sources, they can be used to validate atmospheric and acoustic propagation models.

► Review of volcano infrasound signals and physical processes inferred to produce them ► Infrasound from volcanoes indicative of the eruption style and dynamics ► Regional and global studies allow characterization of remote and difficult to observe eruptions. ► Accurate characterization of atmosphere and its spatiotemporal variability necessary for propagation modeling ► Shallow or aerial acoustic source location permits comparison with direct and remote observations.